I wrote just quickly the other day about my excellent time at the Diamonds, however I didn’t post my times, or comment on the few things that happened (and note my current status either!)

So, first off, I was fortunate enough to run another race with stud boy … (do a search on my blog, or just click here). As usual, I saw him practicing his SPRINTING before the start, showing off for the crowd (who could care less of course), but I thought it was funny. He saw me, he knows me … not personally, but he knows me. Anyway, he made his way to the front like normal, rips his shirt off, and is ready to go … (i laughed of course). So he did okay for the first 3 miles, running a 23:37 (or something) for the first 3 miles, and even on the hill, but as we ran towards mile 4 (and the first water stop), I saw him. I had to opportunity to throw my half-filled water cup on him as I passed him, so I did. I was concerned all along that he would catch up with me, but he REALLY went out too fast because he ended up finishing almost 5 and a half minutes behind me, so he died! I enjoyed the fact that once again I passed him in my glory to prove who the real stud is, eh?

It just goes to show you, like I learned from the Harrisburg marathon, that pacing is whats its all about. My splits were a little sparse for the Diamond run, but it was due to the different terrains (uphill, downhill, straightaway etc) … so lets look at the splits …

Mile 1-3 (missed the mile markers) – 23:28
Mile 4 – 7:59
Mile 5 – 7:26
Mile 6 – 6:59
Mile 7 – 7:21
Mile 8 – 7:30
Mile 9 – 7:32

So I really did do well, although I was beat at the end. I noted the other day that my back and hip hurt, and it did on Friday, all day, but subsided on Saturday. I took Saturday off, but was really active doing christmas stuff, doing leaves, etc, so I certainly wasn’t slacking.

I didn’t do any of the races today, instead deciding to go for a 6 miler this morning outside. I really enjoyed it, since its nice to run because I want to run, not because I have to. I decided on my distance as I was on the road … the sun was out, it was brisk, but I really enjoyed it. I do kind of miss of the long-run (yeah, i’m sick, i know), but it was such a part of me for so long, I can’t wait to get back into training again.

The important goal right now is to watch what I eat, because putting on weight is SO EASY this time of year. I have to travel again this week to Canada for a night, so I have to get my workouts in around that schedule (since I don’t plan to workout in Canada).

Well, enough for now, just wanted to update about the Diamonds. I’m psyched for running again, and planning for the spring. I’m considering doing an ultramarathon next year still, but I’m not sure I’ll have the time to train. Its just going to depend. Doing one of those doesn’t mean that I can’t run my marathons, I just use them as training runs (thats funny, a marathon as a training run)… again, we’ll just have to see how it works out.