Mind Games

Yesterday I got an email from the Park Forest Scenic 10 race director saying that he was going to comp my entry into the race. I've never gotten a free entry to a race before. I guess it's a local kid discount, because there really is no way I'll wind up anywhere near the front of the pack of the race. I'm thinking if everything clicks, I could break 56 minutes for the race. That will be good for possibly top 50 or so. This race is stacked(check out the August 7th update)

I've also been coming down with a cold. I don't handle colds all that well. I hate having a stuffed up nose because I don't like sleeping on my back, but any other position and I can't breathe. It's sort of a catch 22. So last night before I went to bed, I O.D.ed on sinus medication and slept like a baby. However, this morning when I woke up, I was feeling pretty dried out. Not to be detered, I headed out for a 17 miler and, well, it wasn't much fun.

I was clammy and thirsty the whole time. I could tell after about 7 miles that this was going to be a struggle, but I have this strange theory that the best way to get over a cold(or really anything for that matter), is to just hammer it into submission. A 17 miler was a good starting point.

I was having a hard time keeping my concentration, so just to make sure I didn't drift too much, I threw in an occasional half-mile pickup where I dropped the pace down to marathon pace (6 min/mile). Not sure there was much benefit to it, but it kept me somewhat interested in the run and allowed me to finish a little faster than I normally would have, which was key for today. I just didn't want to be out there.