I’d like to win another of these podium finisher, slate coasters tomorrow morning. With tonight’s cool rain, tomorrow’s Boulder Rez is looking like race weather. I’d been steeling myself for heat, lowering my expectations for a fast finish time. Now, I’m starting to think differently. Now, I’m thinking of fast times.

I like to predict my pace and I’m going bold. I’m predicting an 8 minute pace. Honestly, that shouldn’t be so bold. I should be fit enough for that. It’s just that my runs in the extreme heat this summer have been much, much slower. Considering what I’m used to, I won’t worry about pushing myself in anything under 80 degrees.

I have a bit of a tweaked right hamstring. Not sure what it is exactly but it sometimes feels close to cramping and it’s not an electrolyte deficiency. Not overly concerned though because I’ve always placed my money on the athlete who says he’s about 90 percent due to injury. That means he trained hard. I’ve trained hard. I’ve been averaging 50 miles a week all summer. At 160 pounds, I’m ready to run tomorrow.