Rest of August in Review

Week of August 18:
78 Miles
1 Double
2 Days in CLT
Workout 1:  6 x 800m @ 239-240 with 2:30 jog on Speed Loop with Caleb
Workout 2:  12 miles MLR with 4 miles in 612, 555, 606, 550
Long Run:  16 miles in sub 7:00 pace

Fresh out of Term 1 Fuqua MBA residency, I headed to Charlotte for some face time in the Digital headquarters at Bank of America.  In the meantime, I ran 26 miles in two days there, which almost hit the same mileage I had run the week before at Duke.  Meagan was in town for the weekend, so it helped tremendously to just have her around to step out the door and get running.

Week of August 25
70 Miles
1 Double
Workout 1:  13.1 miles with 6 miles in 633, 627, 622, 612, 611, 544 with Meagan
Workout 2:  12M with 4 x 1.5M @ 602/258 (1:47), 550/257 (2:00), 557/256 (1:59), 553/255
Long Run:  13.5 miles at sub 700 average

I spent the majority of this week in my hometown of Carbondale, Illinois for my parents' 40th anniversary and my HS hall of fame induction.  I was especially humbled to be inducted into my high school hall of fame because I was the youngest by 14 years compared to any other inductee.  It was tough to get motivated to run because it was so hot when I was Illinois, but I was happy with my weekly mileage here.  

Duke Fuqua MBA Residency Week(s) in Review

Week of August 4th:
43 miles
1 day off
200m on / off @ duke track
8.5 mile "long" run

Week of August 11th:
36 miles
1 day off
8 mile "long" run
1 Accounting Midterm

I was hoping that once my MBA started I would be able to keep up with my blog, but I think that is going to be really tough over the next 1.5 years.  I stepped into my Fuqua Cross Continent MBA residency feeling bright eyed and confident.  I stepped out of it feeling dreary eyed and dejected.  But even with those feelings, I absolutely love it!  The program is set up like this:  each term starts off with a reading period, where we have to read materials to prepare for three classes.  Then we head off to an intense "residency" in another country (or, in this case, at Duke) where we go to class, eat, go to class, eat, go to a speaker, eat, talk with a career coach, go to sleep, repeat.  After that, we have 6-8 weeks of classes at a distance and we must rely heavily on our teams to get assignments done.  During residency, there is literally no break; it's nonstop.  There are 15 minute breaks between classes and speaker events and the only down time you really get is when you eat in the cafeteria with your classmates.  It's challenging both intellectually and emotionally, but totally worth it.  I became a marathon runner for a reason - because I love a good challenge and the journey it takes to properly prepare for the challenge.  Similarly, I am approaching the journey to achieving my MBA in the same spirit.

Somehow in all of the madness of residency, I was able to get in some runs every morning.  Quite frankly, these runs were what kept me sane! I managed about 4-8 miles most days and finally caved on the 7th day of residency after I went to bed at 12:30 and decided that sleep was more important than a run.  The hardest adjustment during residency was getting five hours of sleep instead of eight or even ten hours.  All in all, I know that I will eventually adjust to this new routine that is called my crazy, busy life.

Week in Review

60 miles
8 x 200m with 200m jog workout
Lifetime mile PR at Sir Walter Miler - 4th place in 4:52
13 mile MLR
1 Day at Duke

I can't believe that it's finally the week where the first term of my Duke Fuqua MBA starts with a residency in Durham.  Running was again in the 60 mile range for the week, which was just fine by me as I began working through the accounting problems due for my first class.  I'm excited, nervous, scared and intimidated but I know that I was admitted to this program for a reason!   Starting Saturday night, I'll be staying at the R. David Thomas Center on Duke's campus for the next two weeks.  Hopefully I will be able to get some runs done on campus with my new classmates!