A Garmin and a pair of shoes.

Thank you to everyone who went over to Mindset Triathlon to vote for my cycling tip. I won the Garmin 305. I've gotten along just fine all these years without one, but I admit I am pretty excited about winning it. It should make a great training tool. That is what I want to keep it too--a training tool--I will not become a slave to Mr. Garmin, no thanks. I think I'm going to enjoy it on bike rides as well as runs, since I have no bike computer. (I'm pathetically low tech.) Anyway, thank you to Mindset Tri and thanks to all who cast a vote for me.

I've been spending the last couple weeks trying to decide what race to do next. I've made a fast recovery from the IT band incident at the PCT50, I would estimate the knee is 95% recovered. Pretty amazing compared to the last bout of it that caused me weeks of physical and mental torment.

I haven't fully made the decision on whether to run the Portland Marathon on Oct 4 or to shoot for something shorter. I will likely make a decision after a long run tomorrow. (Which is the last day of guaranteed entry.)

Earlier this week I decided to do a track speed workout which I did last year at this time (when I was training for the Portland Marathon). I decided I would do the workout at an appropriate effort and then compare it to how I did last year. I didn't want to look at the splits until after, so that I would give a fair effort and not try to run the same just to match last year's. First of all, I figured it would be pretty tough. I haven't been on the track for months! I've been on trails and the road going long and slow. Secondly, it had been only a couple weeks out from my 50 mile run. So cumulatively, I figured on slow and tired legs.

I can say it felt really good to get out on the track and pick up the pace a bit. I was quite surprised with how quickly I was recovering between intervals and sets, but I was even more surprised when I compared the workout to last year's! Every interval was faster that a year ago--and, by quite a bit. I'm pleased to say the least.

In addition to winning the Garmin, I also won a pair of New Balance shoes over at the Runner's Lounge this week. (More excitement!) Yay, a pair of 904's, lightweight stability shoes. (Perfect for faster track workouts!) I had been wishing for a lighter shoe to rotate into my current running shoes.

On the not so thrilling line up of things happening, was the tooth I broke recently,and the the wisdom teeth my son has to get pulled out this coming week. For the cost of it all, I could have purchased an economy car. (Which, I could also use. Maybe I should find a contest to enter for a car...) Oh well, I shall look on the bright side of it all because looking at it any other way doesn't help me anyway! And, I intend to squeeze every bit of joy out of the Garmin and shoes I can get!

Happy running and thanks for stopping by!