Running With Pepper

Nice easy run to start working back into the higher levels. Temps were in the high 30's/sunny at the start and progressed into the high 40's/sunny at the end of the run. Started out at a fast pace of about 6:30/mile, ended up slowing down as the run progressed in the middle, then speeding up at the last few miles. This was probably because Arlington County decided to turn off the water at the fountains, without consulting with me, so I didn't have water until the last 1.5 miles. Ended up finishing the run in 1:23.57, which is a decent start.

It is a really warm day in the high 60's and sunny so I decided to go for a run, although I told myself that I wouldn't actually do one today. I got new shoes yesterday, Brooks Infiniti's, so they needed to get broken in. My right foot arch began to hurt towards the end of the run so I will monitor that, although it's probably my new shoes. 3 miles in 24:48 after running 1.5 miles in 12:48 with Pepper. Figured out that he still doesn't like running near sewer drains as he promptly plops his butt down and completely stops running. Oh well, the dog is a big babie. Nice easy run overall.

(Brooks Infiniti 4.5)

Ran 1 mile before pulling up lame on my right calf muscle. Stretched it out, and ultimately put 3 miles on the bike before it was too sore. Decided to call it quits so I didn't hurt it any more than I already did. We shall see how it works in the next few days....to be continued. 

(Brooks Infinitis 5.5)

Did a nice 5 miles in 40:28. Run was actually really easy and the weather was nice and in the high 40s. Afterwards, took a nice 1.5 mile cooldown walk with Pepper in about 27 minutes. Overall, the calf felt much better after a nice day off and the shoes are breaking in nicely.

(Brooks Infiniti 12.0)

Only did 4 miles in 34:26 today as my calves are killing me from doing a new calf workout at the gym on sunday. I walked gingerly around the office all day looking like an old man. Took Pepper for a nice 1.5 mile walk afterwards to help stretch the calves out. I'm really tired so far this week although I'm not too sure why. Alas, this must be an easy week so I can bump it up to 30 miles next week. 

(Brooks Infiniti 17.5)

Felt like I was running quite a bit faster than usual today, and it turns out that I was. Finished a really hilly 5 mile course in 39:49 and then took Pepper for a 1.5 mile walk. Agression from dealing with a stupid idiot at work fueled my speed, which felt really good. Pepper was quite the crazy boy tonight, barking at other dogs, although he's still scared of sewer drains.

(Brooks Infiniti's 23 miles)

Took the day off and went out to Great Falls National Park with Pepper. It is beautiful outside (60-65/partly cloudy) and we did some serious hiking. First 3.5 miles was in really difficult and rocky terrain while the last 3.5 miles was along the Potomac River. I wish I could take off every Friday and spend it with the dog.

Took Pepper for a 3 mile run and finished in 26:26. Nice cool day for a short run this morning to try and tire him out before he goes to his refresher doggie obedience training. I felt good running, but as tomorrow is the long run, I didn't want to push it. Pepper is actually building up on the mileage really well now and I hope to take him up to 4 miles soon with an ultimate goal of about 10 miles. Off to do family stuff and look at camping gear.

I got some of the best sleep I've had in a long time last night and only planned on running 11 miles today, but as I noticed the nice cool, yet breezy weather, I decided to push it and see where I really am in my running. Since I'm running in the Potomac River Half-Marathon on May 3rd, I wanted to see where I stood at that distance since I haven't run it in a while. Running on the wonderful W&OD Trail, all pavement, I set out from Fall Church and headed west. There is a pretty long hill at mile 2-2.5, which wasn't all that bad and at the top, I adjusted the tightness of my shoe laces as my feet were going numb.

In the first 2-3 miles, I had a really hard time regulating my breathing as I didn't have a great song in my head. Oddly enough, I settled on a portion of the 1812 orchestra (all in my head) and really felt good.

 At the half-way point, I felt a little sluggish, took a energy gel, then got right back into it. Once I downed some water at mile 9 I was off to the races and felt great. As I closed out the run, I was still feeling great and powered through to the end.

I ended up finishing the 13.1 in 1:41.05 which brought me under 8 minute miles! Running 8 minute miles was my goal for this run, so I feel really good about my overall running. I now may have to revise my goals, as it looks like running a sub-4 MCM in October is very much in reach. Nothing like overconfidence, but I feel really good about where I'm at right now. Now, off to the gym for a post-run workout. I do have a little blister on my left foot near my big toe, but I attribute that to getting back into the longer distances and my relatively new shoes.

(Brooks Infiniti 39.1 Miles)

Good to finally get back out for a run. Rough week at work as we have another proposal due and I am the capture manager. Temp in the 50s, really windy with gusts up to 50 mph. Started out fine for the first two miles, cruised in the middle two miles, then the last two was slow going as it was all into the strond headwind. Gusts were so strong that they actually took my breath away a few times. Ended up doing 6 miles in 51:35. Took Pepper out for a 1 mile stroll after the run. He is now holding down the La-Z-Boy and watching lost. Gonna try and get out of work a little early tomorrow so I can do a little longer run. 

(Brooks Infiniti 46.1 miles)

I decided since I've worked extra hours this week, I deserved to take some time during such a nice day and go for a run. Because I live and work in such a beautiful area, right across the Potomac from downtown DC, I decided to run to the Capitol and back. The first leg was all down hill for a mile through Rosslyn, past the Marine Corps Iwo Jima Memorial (oooh raah). After that, I paralleled Arlington Cemetary for about .5 miles, then took a left over the Potomac river. Once in DC, I ran past the Lincoln Memorial, down the mall past the WWII Memorial, the Washington Monument, and down to the Capitol building. Needless to say, because it was such a nice day, there were about a million tourists out today, but I didn't mind. Being able to do this if I want is one reason why I actually enjoy living here sometimes. The way back had a nice cool breeze all the way back to the office and I finished the 10 miles in a cool 1 hour, 16 minutes and 13 seconds. Not too bad, but I really wasn't pushing it since I had just run last night, and I just wanted to enjoy the sights. Well...back to work I go. For some reason, everyone who has seen me since I've been back is just amazed that I can run that far....little do they know that it's just the tip of the iceberg!

(Brooks Infiniti 56.1 miles)