You get out what you put in

Fri - nice run to Fitts park with Jo, did circles around the park while he threw woodchips. Had visions of how I'd draw a cc course, inner and outer loops. Started to run down neighborhood but was choppy and needed to get back so I could eat candy and buy brakes and rotors and curse the fact I don't live in WY. Did you get that? 4.5m

Sat - Cougar race, cheered for P man, he had a lot of questions but kept a good pace, went out pacing himself like I told him, by the 2nd lap he was coasting, I told him he could speed up and he did, sprinted home but didn't pass a guy at the end, but good for his experience, skill and excitement

Did some light w/u, perhaps I should've done more. Started about 10 rows back, was really pacing myself up the hill, as I felt I was just getting into it. People were passing me, more than I thought would, but as we passed the cheerers and turned to the downhill, I found my rhythm. I really thought I'd be passing more people on this part, but felt strong. If 10 people passed me before I passed 5. Had my sights on an older guy I'd talked to before, about 4 people ahead. Trickle-passing a few until we came into the turns, including a woman who I thought would stay up with us, had a stocky gait. A guy w a stroller passed me and got a lead, I reached into the tank and brought him back. Once I talked to him I found out he was a former BYU runner pushing his niece for his brother-in-law who wore a pale green shirt 3 people ahead. Spoiler alert!

I was feeling like I was going pretty fast (for my fitness, fast is relative) and the bro-in-law was right beside the older guy I was gunning for. Moved ahead and started to feel the familiar thigh strain that means I'm racing and pushing it. For the first mile I was relaxed, downhill felt smooth and flowing, now it hurt, just enough to make passing the girl ahead a hard task. I watched as she passed some and as we went around campus spots I was getting closer. I caught the one before we went into the tunnel and the brother-in-law before we got to the track. Felt like I maintained/cruised pace around the track, holding/pushing for the glorious end. In the end came in right behind the girl with great pace, and the 55 yr old guy brilliantly stayed away, beating the younger guy with him.

I'm happy with my improvement, if I really run every day should be able to approach fitness of 2 years ago. Enjoying how nothing comes easy, stretching, w/u, c/ds all required elements.

Saw a shirt that said, "For the honor." Don't exactly know how I feel about that. On one hand I understand that holding a high standard for oneself is honorable, but when it comes to spirituality our efforts at being honorable always fall short. Only when we rest in Christ can we have His honor. We then can discipline ourselves towards godliness, not to meet an obligation, but knowing that God honors those He loves, who are in Christ.