Although I have had no recent race reports or blog updates I have still been getting the miles in and even set a PR at the 5K.  With some good advice from my coach Brent Bowers back in the start of the year,  I decided to target a race 10 or 12 weeks out with a proper inclination of mileage and intensity.  Together with a short taper, was hoping to reach a peak fitness for the Carlsbad 5000 in April.  This was a drastic change for myself as I am used to racing every couple weeks.  Just this past Oct, Nov, I raced two 5Ks, one 10K, one half and two marathons.  I like to race, but I wasn’t making any progress.  Jan and Feb were great, my track times were improving and was already on course for a PR at the 5K and it was still 4 weeks away.  March was a different story.  Started with a chest cold, skipping workouts and cutting mileage to help fight the cough, then decided to do a course of antibiotics, then conjunctivitis in both eyes, more antibiotics, then an ulcerated cornea requiring more meds.  I could feel my PR slipping away,  I kept training but not with the same intensity or enthusiasm.
 
I did get a great shoe by Adidas called the Tempo.  Every time I wore them I was setting a PR on my 6 mile training run.  Even with the hacking cough I would set out the door and shoot for a tempo effort but end up going flat out and setting a new best time for myself.  This kept my spirits up for Carlsbad and made me realize my fitness was still there.  It got to the point where I would only allow myself to wear the shoe once a week because I knew I would end up running way too hard and was worried I would have nothing left come race day.  Those shoes are possessed!  If your looking for a fast effort training shoe or half marathon distance race shoe you have to try them.
 
There wasn’t much of a taper to do come race time as I missed so much training in March so just stayed loose and hoped for a good day.  The male masters event was the first one of the day I believe so a short warm up and a good position near the front, everything was happening so fast.  I did get some great advice from Mike Schramm and Andrew Duncan, truth be told.   We went through the first mile at 4:50 pace or so and as comfortable as I felt I only needed about 5:05 to PR.  I decided to slow it down and stick to the goal.  I played it safe.  I regretted this at the finish line, as I looked around at my competitors with their hands on knees and some dry heaving, I didn’t suffer at all.  I did get my PR though.  15:47 and 9th overall in the masters.  I went in knowing this was a fast race.  Not so much a fast course but lots of competition and sea level.  Next year I will follow a similar training schedule but come race day I will be on the limit and hopefully closer to the front.  At the end of the day, its only 3 miles.
 
Six days later I was doing some training in Oxford, England and got the chance to visit the track where Roger Bannister broke the 4 minute mile for the first time.  Even though I didn’t run on the track it was a very inspiring location to visit as a runner and what a great city of education and athletics.  So many runners and cyclists about.  I read on a post card there are more bicycles than people in Oxford.
 
Since I've been back the Seattle Half Marathon has been the new goal and training coming along as planned.   I did receive another stand out shoe in the way of Pearl Izumi.  The Peak II.  My first trail shoe and another recommendation.  Very flexible for a trail shoe and  lots of traction which was shocking to me after trail running in a road shoe for years.  There is even a light rock plate which works wonders.  You can still feel the sharp stones but just like the shoes review mentions you don’t get that stabbing pain like you experience with a road shoe.  If your in the market for a light trail shoe read the review on the stores home page, it is spot on.
 
A shout out to my team mates for all their local victories and Wiltse for such a great finish time in Boston!  Excited to see what Erica does at Grandmas Marathon soon as her fitness is really improving.  Thanks to the store and all the staff for their support and advice.  A race recap after Seattle, June 25th.  Hopefully a PR and some coffee reviews.  I don’t like to predict times but a 1:12 ish?  Definitely doable with my current fitness and decent for a master.