London countdown

Another hot & humid week here in Hog Heaven.  Despite the humidity, we can't seem to squeeze out any moisture in the form of rain and most of the state is suffering moderate drought.  And, the long-term forecast for August thru October calls for above-average temps and below-average rainfall.  Not good for runners, but a disaster for farmers.

I've had a decent week of training that included a hard hill workout on Tuesday.  My most important run of the week is tomorrow's long run.  I need to do at least 18 miles, but if the conditions warrant, I'm going to try and stretch that to 20 or more.  Right now, the forecast is for an overnight low of 65 degrees.  That would be the coolest morning this week.  I plan to rise at 3:40 a.m. and be out the door by 4:10.  Stay tuned.  

Check your calendars.  One week from today, the 2012 Olympics open in London.  Having waited four years, I'm getting more excited by the day.  Of course, everybody doesn't share my enthusiasm for the Games.  German publication Der Spiegel, for example, predicts "an Olympic-sized fiasco" for London:  http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/london-and-the-2012-olympic-games-a-match-made-in-hell-a-844599.html

Distance-running insiders--like Bill Rodgers and Craig Virgin--handicap the distance events at the London Olympics:  http://www.runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=26566

Here's a nice piece on U.S. marathoner Shalane Flanagan.  I've been picking Shalane for a Olympic marathon medal since before she won the U.S. Olympics Marathon Trials back in January:  http://running.competitor.com/2012/07/news/rivals-are-key-to-flanagans-confidence_55538

And, here's another piece on Shalane from Outside magazine:  http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/running/road-running/Win-or-Die-Trying-20120801.html

Here's one of my early blog posts heralding Shalane's Olympics prospects:  http://runningthrutwenty12.blogspot.com/2012/01/training-for-colorado-and-thinking.html