I’m back once again to let you guys know what’s been going on in my life.

To recap, last week was my third week of cross country training. I logged a total of 47.27 miles for the week, and ran some pretty good workouts. As usual, I had a pretty good week of biking as well.

On Monday, I was back at the sand hills, working the quads and finishing with a flush-out run to get a total of about 7.5 miles

Tuesday featured another 10-miler. My teammates and I have now designated that Tuesday and Sunday will be our high mileage days, and Thursday will usually feature a shorter distance of about six to seven miles.

Wednesday was flipped with Thursday. Instead of a workout, we had another distance run, getting in a good six miles. I will say, it was kind of hot that morning.

Thursday was the eight mile Stepping Stones workout. Two weeks ago when I ran this, I dropped a 5:22 the last mile, mainly because I just felt that good that day. However, I didn’t want to mess up the pace and workout again, so I told my teammates that I wouldn’t drop it, and I’d stay on pace. I even ran in the back instead of the front to prevent me taking off.

Needless to say, my efforts to restrain myself were futile. One of my teammates decided that he wanted to pick it up, so naturally, I went with him.

That mile went by pretty fast.

During the cool-down, another teammate, imitating me, said “Hey guys. I’m not going to drop it and go 5:22 on the last one. I’m going to go 5:15.”

I got in 9.5 miles that day.

Friday was interesting. My coach is good friends with the owner of a local gym whose son used to run for him, so he was able to get us time at the gym, having all of us do a circuit. I did various things from ropes, weights, and moving huge tires. It became a little juicy when you had to run at about 80% effort around a lake that’s about a half mile long after your legs are still fatigued from the circuit.

I got in about two miles that day. From doing the circuit, I felt it in my arms and legs on Saturday, and still do.

I ran yesterday evening, just something easy. I got in four miles.

Earlier this morning, I went for an 11 mile run with two other teammates. We met up at a trail, so I biked there since it’s not too far from my house. It was five there, five back.

Let’s just say my legs are done for the day.

I’m back at a total of 50 miles for the week. I honestly thought that it was going to be just shy of 50. However, I did drop the amount of miles that I did on the bike this week, which I’m fine with. The total this week is currently 38.44 miles, but will be 43.4 once I bike to work, and then back home.

Recently I’ve been working a lot because I’m saving up for camp next month. I can’t wait to escape the Florida heat and run in the cool North Carolina air. I went two years ago and it was honestly one of the greatest times I’ve ever had.

On a more serious note, last night, a runner from another school sent me a text, simply saying that he enjoys reading my articles and blogs, and that they really help motivate him. It touched me because I’ve always looked to inspire people with my running. Being an asthmatic runner, I wanted to show people that with God, any and everything is possible, and I wanted to touch people along the way. And I’m proud to say that I have.

Yes, I look to run fast times, win races, and occasionally be in the spotlight, but at the end of the day, if I can help make someone better, or inspire them to become better, then I’ve accomplished something. At that point, I’m no longer running for myself, or for time. I’m running with a purpose.

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