Don’t be afraid if you hear voices

I was back on the track this afternoon for 20 times 400m with 1 minute rest.   I will get on the track every two or three weeks leading up to Berlin, the majority of my workouts will be on the trails or roads. It was a nice day for a track workout, 23C and sunny without much wind.  I averaged 65 seconds which is one second faster than what I averaged back in April when I did 15 times 400m.  Both workouts were done roughly 6 weeks out from the marathon.  My legs are feeling better and better each week even with the increase of mileage and longer workouts. 

I’ve been watching Le Tour de France every morning after my run, I usually end up catching the last hour or so.  This is the first year that I’ve religiously kept track of the Tour and I’m hooked.  The tactics are very interesting and the commentary is informative and complete (much better than watching distance running on TV in North America).  Track needs some good commentators like Phil and Paul who know their stuff and shed light on the athletes.

Last week I did my workout in conjunction with the Peach Bud 10km road race in Grimsby to help pace a friend through 7km at 3:10-12/km.  I ended up running 3:12/km for 9km during my second of three intervals (1 and 3 were shorter intervals).  I ended up finishing the race on a rest between intervals and people were cheering for me to “hang in there” and “the finish is near”.  It was kind of funny because most people thought I was just too tired to finish strong.  Here’s a pic about 100m from the finish.

I checked out the Boilermaker course and it looks as though it will tough for me to break my 44:25 PB over 15km.  The route climbs 300 feet in the first 4 miles and then another 100 feet from the 6 to 7 mile mark.  There will be n0 need to watch my splits, the game plan is to be competitive amongst the lead group.  Results should be up at www.boilermaker.com sometime after 11am on Sunday.

A good chunk of the Speed River crew are over in Europe competing.  Most have their first races out of the way and now it’s time to rock and roll.  Good luck!

New Balance Euro Tour schedule from www.Guelphrunning.com

July 9- World University Games, Belgrade, SER
Scheduled to compete Kyle Boorsma in 1500 Metres Finals

July 10- Trofeo Atletismo Ayuntamiento de Barakaldo, Bakardlo, SPN
Scheduled to compete Rob Watson 3000 Metre Steeplechase, Eric Gillis 5000 Metres

July 11- World University Games, Belgrade, SER
Scheduled to compete Alex Genest In 3000 Metre Steeplechase Final

July 11- Kortrijikse International Athletics Meeting, Kortjik, BEL
Scheduled to compete Taylor Milne 800 Metres, Scott Arnald 1500 Metres

July 15- Spitzen Leichtathletik, Luzern, SUI
Scheduled to compete Hilary Stellingweff 1500 Metres

July 15- Meeting Internationale d’Athletisme de la Province de Liege, Liege, BEL
Scheduled to compete Tim Konoval 800 Metres, Kyle Boorsma 800 Metres, Alex Genest 3000 Metres

July 18- KBC Nacht, Heusden, BEL
Scheduled to compete Scott Arnald 1500 Metres, Kyle Boorsma 1500 Metres, Tim Konoval 1500 Metres, Taylor Milne 1500 Metres, Alex Genest 3000 Metre Steeplechase, Rob Watson 3000 Metre Steeplechase, Eric Gillis 5000 Metres

July 21- Gentse Feesten Meeting, Gent, BEL
Scheduled to compete, Kyle Boorsma 1500 Metres, Tim Konoval 1500 Metres, Scott Arnald 3000 Metres, Hilary Stellingwerff 1500 Metres

July 23- Karlstad Grand Prix, Karlstad, SWE,
Scheduled to compete, Alex Genest 3000 Metre Steeplechase

July 26- International Athletics Meeting, Braaschaat,BEL
Scheduled to compete, Scott Arnald 1500 Metres, Kyle Boorsma 1500 Metres, Alex Genest 1500 Metres, Tim Konoval 1500 Metres, Taylor Milne 1500 Metres, Rob Watson Mile, Eric Gillis 5000 Metres