AM - 16 Big Workout #13. 3 mile warm up into the Fields and then 2 miles, 1 mile, 2 miles, 1 mile, 2 miles at attempted LT pace (5:30) and a 5 'er for a cool down back up to the house. Again hit the roads nice and early - I used to dread XC morning practice having to get up at 5:00, now I love sleeping in to 5:00 on those days! But getting up was okay, I seem to be handling the early hours okay - I just need to keep eating as best I can, sleeping whenever I can, and having fun while looking toward my goals and it will be okay. Anyway, the workout... Started the first 2 at the double churches in the fields which made much of the 1st mile up a bit of a hill, then I tried to use the down to even it out and get me moving on the 2nd mile, but I had to interrupt the 2nd mile for a bathroom break, so that stop and speed back up cost me a bit (1-5:45, 2-5:38). Second set was a nice flat mile along the road in front of the old Hooper Estate (5:30). Third set was a flat mile and then a decent up into Little Valley which set me back, but I was working it big time (1-5:35, 2-5:59). Fourth was an easy mile back down out of Little Valley (that I just went up) to George Washington Academy. But I didn't look at my watch during it, thinking I was hitting the pace easily, so when I finally did at .8 I was too slow and had to work hard to even get it back to where I finally ended up (5:40). I need to make sure I stay focused throughout. Finally the last set was a two miler back along two flat sections down the GWA road and Hooper Estate road to Staheli Farm corner. I was very thirst and upset at myself for forgetting my water, so I made a quick stop at a fountain and dunked my head in and grabbed a drink just .25 from the end, but I had to do it (1-5:35, 2- 5:45). Cool down on the big climb back up home - that's the only thing I hate about going out to the Fields. A good run though - best workout I have done early in the morning by myself. (Cumulus white213.5) | 