Training 12/18-12/24

12/18- AM.  I am resetting the count to Day 1.  I was tempted this morning but stayed strong.  3 miles in the expected 25:32 (8:31 pace) MINUS 27.  Added a half mile cool.  I'll be back this evening.  I won't make it by Christmas but I do want to hit 1500 before the final weekend.  Took no PABA except for the trace amount in Ultimate B and so far so good but so what?

PM- Took advantage of a mild evening and ran 10 laps at Vestavia track.  Finished in 20:36 (8:14 pace).  Fairly modest improvement over the morning session but I'll take it.  Figure a 3 mile would be 24:45-50 so I'll call this a MINUS 15.  Tried some Thym-Adren and though it was not a disaster, I think ADHS is the better option for adrenal support.  Cheated again with the sugar so screw it until Christmas.  I'll go through the withdrawal on my days off.  So far, it has not affected my sensitivity issues and I'm still off PABA. 34 miles to go.
Grade:D+/1 credit/distance=6.0

12/19-AM- 4 miles on 31:53 (7:58 pace).  Under the Mendoza line.  Woopity doo!  This recovery is slower than usual but as long as I am not relapsing, my flickering hopes remain alive.  Passed 3 miles in 23:55 so I am over 30/mile faster than 24 hours ago.  Still off PABA and not off sugar.  I may be back out this evening only because I want to get to 1500 ASAP.  30 miles to go.

PM- Noticeably better this session, which was a surprise.  3 miles in 22:58 (7:39 pace).  Needed a small rally to get under 23 but not a massive kick.  27 miles to go.  Tomorrow will be a single 5 miler and I hope to be in the 37s.  Probably 6 training days away from 1500.
Grade:C+/1 credit/distance=7.0
Update:
This microbe clear is some pretty strong stuff.  I've had mild nausea plus several bathroom trips today.  I've also learned it must be taken at a different time from the probiotic.  I'll go with the microbe clear in the evening and the probiotic in the morning.  Not the least bit excited yet.  The normal pattern is improvement for the next 2-3 days followed by a sudden relapse.

12/20- WELL DONE!  5 miles in 36:44 (7:21 pace).  Fast start then settled into a pace just south of 7:30 the rest of the way.  Felt a little stiff before the run but was fine once I got warmed up.  Only 22 miles to go and I figure that I have 8 training days to do it.  Barring disaster, it's mine now.
Grade:A-/2 credit/distance=5.0

12/21- 6 miles on Lakeshore in 46:16 (7:43 pace).  A little weakened in comparison with yesterday but this is still not bad.  If I am to run 6 miles in 1 day, I am better off with a single session than a morning and evening 3 miler.  Trail was dark and muddy in spots which slowed me down a bit.  1st half- 22:56, 2nd half- 23:20.  I still have a chance to win but I need to ace the last 2.
Grade:B/1 credit/distance=6.0
Update:
I've learned that long-term high level use of the anti-microbe is NOT recommended.  That's good news because it is pricey. I'll take 2/day in January then 1 in February and hope to be done with it.   If I relapse from the anti-microbe, hope remains alive but if I am forced back on the PABA, I'm afraid that is the death knell.

12/22- Gold's 4 miler in an even 30:00 (7:30 pace).  Compared to yesterday, this was about the same.  That's a relief.  I feared that I was heading for a relapse yesterday.  I think I accidentally took too much glycine the last 2 days and I did feel it but it wasn't a disaster.  On Lakeshore with its mild hills and mud, it would have been the same pace as yesterday give or take a few ticks.  I can still win but I need a great showing tomorrow.  I've got time only for a quickie before I leave for home.  Only 12 miles to go.  Barring disaster, I'll hit 1500 by the 27th or 28th as planned.  I get the day off on the 24th, 25th and but hope to do a quickie on the 26th.
Grade:B/1 credit/distance=4.0

12/23- Gold's 3 in 20:26 (6:49 pace).  Splits were 10:05-10:21.  Felt a little off.  Glycine may be trending down and I remain intolerant to PABA.  Still pretty solid.
Grade:A-/2 credit/distance-3.0

12/24- Planned rest day.  9 miles to go.  Just 2 more days.  Those junk runs paid off.

Weekly summary:
I probably don't deserve to win this one but I will take it.  Throw out Monday and it was decent.  Things could change next week when I am off sugar.  As long as I am off PABA, I still have a chance.
Distance-31.0.  GPA-3.01
YTD- 1491 miles.  14-35- 2.25