Looking for some redemption

So, I want to get the bitter taste of that DNF out of my mouth. I'll be honest - that was my first DNF, ever, and if I had not passed by my support crew, and been within 50 yards of where I was staying, I probably would not have quit. But quit I did, and I need to do something to redeem myself, in my eyes if no one else's.

Unfortunately, I really cannot afford to blow the $300 or so that Detroit or Indy will cost me right now. (I'm including hotel and race fees there, plus something for gas and food.) But there is a 5k and a 10k race about 90 miles away in November.

And here's the first fun part. The 5k is at 9 am, and the 10k is at 10 am. So yes, you can sign up for both, and some people do. 15k is no problem - it's not even 10 miles.

And the second fun part is that the course is supposed to be hilly. The 10k is apparently a double loop, so you pass over the same hills twice.

Cold (Michigan in November certainly won't be 85 degrees), hilly and possibly even rain? I think I am in. It sounds like fun.

Well, that was smart

Yesterday, I did a hill workout. Sure, it was slow, and on the treadmill, but any workout where the lowest incline is 3.0, and the highest is 9.2 or so is probably reasonably tough. So, instead of taking it easy today, I decided to do a tempo run. Ouch. I'm sure it will make me stronger, eventually.

The rest of the week should be pretty easy, since I am doing a little "mini-taper" before a 10k race on Saturday. I'm not really racing it, but I do want to see how fast I can do a 10k without really trying. My guess is somewhere between 48 and 50 minutes, but I'm not really sure. If all goes well, and the course and weather are kind, I could get down toward 45, but I don't see that as being too likely.

Oh, and for cross-training: today, the son threw what amounted to a 4 hour tantrum. If that didn't train me for being cross, crabby and cranky, not much will.