7/27/09 Where I need to be!

Ok, guys, so I am finally getting back into the groove of things. My mileage is looking much better and things are starting to look pretty good for Lean Horse. I went ahead and got registered too so that keeps me honest in my training. Yesterday brought a gorgeous sunset and a nice, steady 20 mile run with Aubrey. I am feeling stronger and stronger. Such a difference from earlier this year. But as my friend, Dave, told me, "Mark, you're running 50 milers like most people run 5k's." No wonder I was feeling a little tired. Anyway, I've had a nice break but now it's time to get back into the racing. I've dropped abut 10 lbs over the last couple of months down to about 165 too. I think that's made a pretty significant difference in how I feel out there too. I would like to, honestly, take off another 5-10 lbs but I have a feeling it's going to be easier said than done. I really do like FOOD!! Ok, so another cool thing is that Aubrey is finally getting back into the swing of things as well. He is running the 50 miler with me at Lean Horse so it should be a good trip. I'll try and keep ya posted. Peace!

7/17/09 Gross Blog Negligence

Oops! I keep forgetting to post for some reason. Actually I know the reason...........Farm Town and Vampire Wars on Facebook or "Crack"Book, whichever you want to call it! Crazy addicting stuff! I'm in here screaming, "I CAN SEND A CHICKEN NOW!!" Ridonkulous!!
My running on the other foot is going very, very well! I'm putting in some good mileage! Last week held about 30 or so miles, and as a matter of fact, next week I am looking at a 50-60 mile week! I'm feeling great and moving well. Most of my training is done at about an 8 to 8.5 min pace. Pretty steady for me. Lean Horse is looking good right now and I'm hoping to pick up the pace there as well. The course itself makes for a good chance for a PR. I'm not sure that I want to post a goal time or not since it kind of locks ya in! ha I may and I may not! I'll try and keep ya posted. In the meantime, if you need me to send you a goat or a donkey for your Farm, let me know!! Peace!

7/3/2009 Three Cheers for Ebay!!

Alright now, I've been running pretty consistently for the last couple of weeks and have really noticed a difference in how I'm feeling! I really think that my "rediscovered" need to run has to do with ONE thing! The La Sportiva Slingshot! As I've mentioned before, these are my favorite shoes of all time and the company discontinued them a couple of years ago. Anyway, I did some searching and found a total of 3 pairs in my size on Ebay (by luck alone!). I went for my first run in them almost two weeks ago and just felt like I was really connected to the Earth again. I know it all sounds weird and corny but I've been hopping from shoe to shoe to shoe since they discontinued the Slingshot, trying to find one that would make me happy and just haven't found "The One." I really, really cannot stand a heavy or clunky/bulky shoe and so many trail shoes are that way. The Slingshot is so light and form-fitting, and so minimal, that it is exactly what I like. I can feel the ground beneath my feet, the little pebbles and subtle imperfections in the dirt that go unnoticed in traditional trail shoes. Anyway, I am going to use up these three pairs and then figure out what to do from there. I am seriously considering running permanently in Fivefingers KSO's or Sprints. But until these Slingshots are worn out, I am going to rock it out! I've lost about 7 pounds in the last couple of weeks so now I'm down to about 166! On the right path, I think. I'll post a little bit in the next couple of days about my Tabata's that I'm doing! They are freaking painful but MAN, do they get results! Peace!