feeling ON

over the past two months, i've really begun to ramp up my mileage and keep a consistent base.  i was on a great run there for a while before my fall in arizona and the flu took me out of the game.  for a while, now, things have been amazing.  i've been hitting the trails at least twice a week with one of those trail runs being my long run for the week.  i've been able to tackle hills and mountains and feel like i did leading up to last year's twin peaks 50k.  it's an amazing feeling to be powering up a mountain and not feel like you need to stop and walk and the reward when you reach the summit is priceless. 

at the same time, i've been diligent about getting in one interval workout a week.  for a while, it was just 400m or 800m repeats, but last week and this week i upped the bar.  last week i pulled off a smoking 3x1mi workout with miles of 6:32, 6:22 and, for a final push (amazing what you'll do when you have a rabbit on the track) 5:57.  yesterday, i opted for 2x2mi and after last week's mile splits, decided to try to hit an average 6:30 pace.  i turned in the following splits: 1)  6:35, 6:25  2) 6:39, 6:25.  that second interval was rough.  i couldn't find my groove and was running the whole thing into the wind.  i eventually settled down and hit my stride, though.  both workouts were right at my limit and i was spent but ALIVE when i was done.  it feels so great to be back ON.  it's been a long time coming!