RACE DAY BABY!

  So, we got up to Salem and while yesterday may have been gorgeous, today was CRAPPY!  Rain and gusting winds maybe life miserable on the track.  Either way, we still all ran, putting up good times.  Hitting 18's almost the whole time, I felt really good about breaking 4:30, but the headwinds started to wear on me, and I fell a bit behind.  In the end, I finished the 1500 in 4:35.71... a New PR and sub 5:00/mile!  I know it's not actually a mile time, but yeah.

  Now, where do I go?  4:25 1500?  I've been ambitious from the start, so I think that stays with my ambitions... as for the 5k: 16:45 by next 5k race, and 16:30 by season end?  yeah, I think so.

Today I did an easy run up pre's and then relaxed for story time with Tom and the crew. Was nice to just soak up the Vitamin D (god, it was B E autiful day!).

  Also, while I'm still a bit sore from my run with El G yesterday (yes, twice with the King in a week!), I still did some pacers in my spikes on the practice track.  I feel a sub 4:30 1500m coming on.  Tomorrow, I think I'll just take it easy, do some nice slow, casual jogging (probably not more than 4 miles) as well as some strides to loosen things up and relax.  With Finals coming up next week, I get to spend my downtime busy studying.... oh boy.

~Evo

  So, I ran with El Gerrouj today.  He's exceptionally inquisitive and had alot of questions for both myself and my friend (the three of us ran together).  Most of it, though, had to do with school, the weather, or comparisons to his home country and the US.  As he put it, he doesn't like the cold, but likes the sun.  (hehe)

   Anyways, our run started off pretty slow, maybe 7min pace, which wasn't too bad, heading off towards Amazon trail.  Once we were there, though, he certainly picked up the pace, hitting at one point, sub 6's, circling the path 3 times and then heading back to campus.  If he and my friend hadn't stopped at a light, I probably wouldn't have caught up.  Once I did catch up, though, I managed to stay with them for the rest of the run back which involved some hills and a little speed work.  So, for all you out there that wonder if the King still has it... the answer is a resounding yes.

  The best part is that he wants to make this a standard thing: every monday and wed at 6:30!  It's like getting a 2 free training runs...  Needless to say, I'm excited.  Now, I just have to figure out a way to get some pictures without appearing to be a tool.

~Evo