Feeling much better these days.. I think the junk that was in my lungs last week left around Sunday and I'm able to run without any discomfort again.  My 6 mile run yesterday in sub 40 was proof enough...  Although a somewhat hard effort, there was still more in the tank at the finish of this one. 

Three weeks until registration opens up.

I have the Mini is about 9 weeks, looking to improve on my 1:24 from last year.  As long as I stay healthy and injury free, I think it will happen.

Speaking of injury...  I was talking to someone about my calf strain issues who has had them in the past too  and apparently he says that it may be a calcium deficiency.  He says that once he started taking calcium along with magnesium, his  problems went away without a hint of a twinge.  Something to look into anyway. 

Not much to blog about these days...  Running has been hit and miss.  Been sick as a pig the last 3-4 days so have only run once since Sunday.  Using nose spray helps to breathe but running with lungs filled with crud makes it about as hard as running above the treeline at pikes...

I made the commitment to return to Haiti in June this year for the Mission of Hope.  Looking forward to going back!

I've been backing off on the mileage this week.. need some rest. No need to kill myself this early since I have nothing of importance until May.

Finally starting to see some jobs opening up in the marketplace.  I have an interview this afternoon with the City of Fort Wayne as there Director of Purchasing.  Not really sure I want to delve into the political arena or not.  But at this point, it's a job.

Pikes registration information was posted, March 15th is the date.

I know, I know...  It's been awhile!  Lot on my plate right now.  My wife's been in Haiti since last Saturday so I've been running around like a chicken with my head, blah blah blah....  Getting the kids off to school, making sure homework gets done, laundry, cooking food, running to the grocery, etc... Sometimes you take for granted all the work the better half puts in everyday until you have to do it yourself! 

Anyway, I'm still able to get my running in once I shuffle the kids off in the morning.  All is going well, although speed work has been absent for about a week now. We got some pretty good covering of ice yesterday so traction could be an issue today.  May have to break out the yak's for the first time this year.  Still dreadmill free!! 

COLD run yesterday morning with the guys.  7:30 am start time, 12 degrees w/10-12 mph winds, 3-4 inches of snow on the ground and a chilly 10 miles later, I was a popsicle. NO TREADMILL YET!  It's supposed to warm up to around 40 the next couple of days. Unless the snow melts off the local track, I may be forced to do some of my speedwork on the greenway, which is ok, but still not completely without snow.  I wore my crosslites yesterday and have come to realize that if I'm not running on grass or dirt with these, they really give my feet a pounding.  Most of the 10 mile route was on snow/packed snow, but there were a few spots on pavement.

Today was an easy run, but the temps were even colder than yesterday but at least the sun is out.

So the weather has been taking a turn for the worse here lately, lot of cold rain and wind.  We have a forecast for 4-6 inches starting this evening and into tomorrow.  Looks like the treadmill is beckoning... But I'll hold off as long as I can.  Great track session yesterday, 16 x 400 with a 1 mile warm up and cool down. Slowest in 80 and fastest in 75 with 60s RI.  For some reason I prefer running 400's than any thing else.  It's quick so there's little suffering.  I think I read somewhere that Lasse Viren used to run nothing but 400's for his speed work in prep for the Olympics in 72', of course this could be me just reading more into it.  

With Galen out of the equation, I think it's easier to solve for X now.  Hall, Meb and Ritz...   I also think if one of these three guys has a bad day, then maybe one of these guys can squeek in; Gotcher, Hartman, Arciniaga, or Abdirahman.  I also wouldn't count out Josh Cox...  In either case, I hope it's a good race next weekend.

Good track session yesterday, WU-2miles then a ladder of 200, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1200, 1600 then back down, RI 60s between each.  I won't go through each split but the 1st 400 was in 79s and the 1600 was is 5:51. On the way down the 400 was in 78s. WD-1mile. Today was was very easy and tomorrow will be another easy longish run depending on how everyone feels.  Today it got up to 53 degrees so shorts and a short sleeve shirt..  hardly January weather but I'll take it. 

Found this picture someone took of me during a 16 mile trail race I did back in early November. I was in 3rd place at the time.  This was taken a couple of miles before I jacked up my right ankle again and had to slow way down. Notice how I am intently focused on whats in front of me, trying to keep from stepping on anything to the avoid the aforementioned jacking...

Signed up for twitter this morning (because I have nothing else to do) and giving it a go for awhile to see if I like it or not, you can follow @wardmoya1...

Nice start to the week. 40 miles in three days with some intervals and a tempo run thrown in there for good measure.  Good karma to start the new year and I hope to keep it rolling... So far mild temps, but I know the cold, windy and wet stuff is coming.  Running with these fast college kids and studs from the store is really kicking my butt, but I'm in hopes that it will pay off within the next couple of months and into the spring and summer as long as I stay uninjured...