Big Miles in August More of the Same for September

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In August I logged over 220 miles. This is the highest mileage since things took a dip in April. Frankly, I don't think too hard about the total miles that often because I am usually just breaking it down into days. Even when I am looking at daily mileage, I am thinking about the day's goal. Speedwork...easy effort...marathon practice...long run... Just doing what it takes to check off the box for the day. It usually takes until about week 14 before I get to the point of "I don't want to do this any more" and then at that point I figure I only have a few more weeks left so I might as well just get it done. That attitude rarely lasts more than a day or so.

More miles are just the outcome of the effort toward the big goal. As awful as it sounds I could run 2000 miles again this year, but if I miss the mark and can't qualify for Chicago (and meet the Boston standard) I'll probably still be a little irritable.  I want to celebrate "the process", and I do love "the process", but I also like winning. I like to chase after the big goal, but I'd really like to catch it in the end. 

In other news, I went back to my 4am haunts this morning after later runs the past few days. Speedwork on the plate

2mi wu, x5(1km @5k pace, 400m recovery) 2mi cd

I won't call it easy, but I will say I hit a nice rhythm. 

The route for speedwork days are pretty familiar. Head through Autumn Ridge neighborhood and then on to the path, get to the end of the path, turn around, head through the Osborn neighborhood then, finish things off on the Center Courts path. It's not always this regular, but I like doing the speedwork primarily where I don't have to cross streets or think about cars creeping up behind me. 

The morning stars continue to be a wonderful morning vision. The sky is so clear in the morning that even with the light of the urban spaces, the stars glitter. Wonder and beauty are the words that come to mind. 

Rest day tomorrow. 










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