Honey Badger Training Cycle

Didn't run yesterday simply because I didn't feel like it and I had to some homework for creative writing class to do anyway. However, I somewhat begrudgingly made up for it today. Ran a little over 16 miles to the river and back.

Despite enjoying seeing a small flock of robins, two circling red-tailed hawks, hearing red-winged blackbirds and seeing my wife drive by when I was seven miles from home, I didn't enjoy much else. One of those runs that you just want to get over with, which is pretty much how this training cycle has felt overall.

At one point I passed a large three-walled barn that only had a few bales of hay inside. Quite symbolic. The hay is in the barn is a somewhat common running expression to indicate that the training cycle is done and it's time to taper down for the big race. Mileage has been very low overall, mainly because I haven't felt very motivated. I won't whine about that again in depth here, I've done enough of that. But I guess the saving grace is that I've been doing really well in my races the past few months. Still...

So post-Boston, I'm really looking forward to running more trails and simply know that I am not training for an upcoming road marathon. Still have no desire to do one this fall. I would rather just concentrate on the Bradbury Trail series and even a few road 5ks and 10ks to satisfy the competitive juices and also do a lot more mountain running. Knowing none of it is for a fall road marathon already feels like a huge weight lifted all of my shoulders. 

That all being said, I'm still looking forward to running Boston and am honored to have earned my spot there again. Looking forward to 20+ miles on the trails tomorrow with my Trail Monster teammates and  this honey badger don't give a sh-- training cycle will almost be over. 

Ran 16.2 miles @ 8:08/mile pace. 

Paved roads. 

Moderately hilly. 

Lower to upper 30s, overcast to partly cloudy, windy. 

Saucony Virrata, long tights, windbreaker, short sleeved shirt, buff, gloves.