It was back to the ol' grindstone this morning after my inexcusable two-day hiatus (I couldn't drag my lazy butt out of bed yesterday). I started out faster than my average pace; not surprising, considering my pent-up energy and last night's carb-fest. The first quarter mile was pure giddiness - I was grinning madly and even squeaked out an audible "YAY!" into the darkness. Unfortunately, by the end of the half-mile lap I was already tired and had to slow it down to normal. To finish off a great five miles, I brought up the pace for the last half mile and completed the lap in four minutes - a pace of 7.5 mph, which is AWESOME for me! I was elated (and breathing like a rhino)!

My very first race is coming up in just two weeks. It's a 5K, which is no big deal distance-wise, but I'd like to finish with a good time. If I can continue to push the intensity of my runs until then, I'm hoping to finish in less than 25 minutes. That's the goal, but it sounds almost impossible at this point. I've got a LOT of work to do!

Sound the trumpets, beat the drums - it's Friday, the most blessed workday of the week because our office closes at NOON. I've got the whole afternoon free to do whatever I want: namely, eat and nap. I also plan on going to the gym to do weight training and a short, fast run on the treadmill. Sub-25:00 5K, here I come!