Back To Mammoth. Back To Basics.

There have been many changes for Lindsay and I in the past 2 months.  All of which have been for the best.

We recently moved back to Mammoth Lakes after realizing that working for a company like Mammoth Hospital/SPORT Center is impossible to beat.  I now understand how being happy with your employment impacts every aspect of your life.

VO2 max testing Deena Kastor in our Performance Lab. (Photo Credit: Andrew Kastor)

I was in denial that my professional life could negatively impact my personal life or running career.  However, after several months of difficulties with personal relationships, struggling to recover from workouts and races, a relatively unsuccessful early Spring road circuit, and very short/failed track season, the writing on the wall became clear.  A change was needed.

After we made the move, Lindsay and I fell back into our normal lives in this little mountain town as if we had never left.  A HUGE thank you to all of our family, friends, coworkers and SRA teammates for making this life change all the more effortless.  We truly are surrounded by great people.

For running, my coach, Mike McKeeman, and I decided it would be best to hit the reset button both mentally and physically before entering any additional races.  Knowing my love for marathon training and true enjoyment of the process to properly prepare, we decided to erase everything else from the Spring season and focus on Grandmas Marathon in June.  

After a short break in training, I am happy to report that for the past 4 weeks things have begun to click nicely.  I’ve been able to run some great altitude workouts, I’m recovering well, and more importantly, once again enjoying training.  With 5 weeks left, and work to be done, there is every indication of a successful race June 21st in my birth state of Minnesota!  Run Happy!

Sweet new Brooks racing kit!

Quick recap of the past 4 weeks:

8 Weeks Out	AM	PM	Mileage
Monday	10	4	14
Tuesday	10	4	14
Wednesday	Green Church Broken Tempo: 1mi, 2mi, 3mi, 1mi, 2mi,  all 3 min rest;  4:58, 10:28, 16:01,  5:06, 10:40	0	15
Thursday	12	0	12
Friday	10	4	14
Saturday	10	4	14
Sunday	Round Valley, 6:13 avg: 4 easy, 4 quick, 4 moderate, 8 quick	0	20
Total			103
7 Weeks Out	AM	PM	Mileage
Monday	9	4	13
Tuesday	Mammoth Track: 15×300 w/30 sec rest. All 51s	4	14
Wednesday	12	0	12
Thursday	10	4	14
Friday	Green Church Tempo: 3x4mile, 2.5min rest- 5:24 avg	0	17
Saturday	10	4	14
Sunday	Green Church, 6:19 avg: Miles 13, 15, 17, 19, 21 all between 5:17 and 5:23	0	22
Total			106
6 Weeks Out	AM	PM	Mileage
Monday	10	4	14
Tuesday	14	0	14
Wednesday	10	4	14
Thursday	Mammoth Track: 4x2mile with 3min rest. 10:26, 10:25, 10:23, 10:20	0	14
Friday	10	4	14
Saturday	10	5	15
Sunday	American River Trail, 5:53 avg: 13 at 5:30 avg	0	22
Total			107
5 Weeks Out	AM	PM	Mileage
Monday	9	5	14
Tuesday	Mammoth Track: 15×300 with 35 seconds rest: All 52s	4	14
Wednesday	10	0	10
Thursday	Green Church Tempo: 10miles, 5:25 avg	0	18
Friday	11	4	15
Saturday	10	4	14
Sunday	Round Valley, 6:12 avg: Final 12 alternating between 5:20-5:25 and 6:10-6:15	0	24
Total			109