Motivated to Succeed

7:00 PM - Weird weather today. Overast - sunny - overcast again. Temperature at the start of the run was high 70s. Actually felt coolish for once! Phew! Went running with Emm at the bike path. We went out to the ducks and back. Stretched when we got there and then headed back. Emm said she wasn't feeling too well and was somewhat lightheaded. We stopped for a second. She said to go ahead, so I ran to the end of the bike path and turned around and ran backwards meeting her at the .4 to go mark and then ran back in with her. I think she was dehydrated. She underestimates just how much she really needs to drink during the summer!

Total Time: 46:27 Total Distance: 5.31 miles Average Pace: 8:45

5:00 PM - Drove from Massachusetts to Wilton, NY for the summer 5k series. Don't know if I'll drive all the way out again, but I have run this race over 30 times, and I like the course. I was a little sore from the tempo miles I ran two days ago, and I was over an hour early for the race. So I decided to run the race as a tempo-ish run. For a warmup I ran the 3.10 mile course once in 28:19 (8:51, 9:32, 9:30). I stretched and sat in the car with the A/C a little bit. I was a little tired and legs felt heavy. 

THE RACE:

MILE 1: (7:34) - Started out a bit faster then I wanted. This is the flattest mile on the course though and I chose to just follow a father/son duo. Decided I would slow down in the second mile when we got into the steeper section of the woods.

MILE 2: (8:09) - Slowed down and felt more comfortable. I can run forever I feel sometimes in the 8:00-9:00 range. Got passed by a group of four and then had a really asthmatic runner behind me. He would follow me until I just had to let him pass me for a bit because it was getting annoying during mile 3. I ended up passing him with a 1/2 mile to go and beat him to the line easily. I wonder sometimes if I sound like that when I breathe?

MILE 3: (8:31) - Plugging away on the big hills now. Felt pretty good. Thinking about the wedding for some reason. 82 days until the big day! So much to do in so little time. Will I be ready? Will I faint? What will it be like?! Oops crap! Finish line. Kicked it in across the dam. No sweat. Done and in for another day. Need to start ramping up the miles though to be ready for the marathon. Eek!

Total Time: 24:34 Pace: 7:54 Place: 27th

COOLDOWN: .52 miles in 5:00 - jogged up the trail a bit and back before going to meet my second cousin Annika and my mom at Stewarts for ice cream. I got two scoops of cotton candy icecream, my absolute FAVORITE! A great end to the day.

Total Time: 57:53 Total Distance: 6.75 miles Average Pace: 8:34

Quick run in the Vibrams today as a recovery run while I watched an episode of "The Office". Love that show! 2.26 miles in 20:00; average of 8:51 a mile.

9:30 AM - Was going to run at the Pittsfield State Forest but when I approached the guy came out of the booth and wanted money. I said heck no and backed up and went on my way. I don't see why I should pay $5 for my vehicle. I figured that he would stop me again if I came back on foot, so I went to the bike path. Eased into a nice jog. During mile 1 a woman approached all ecstatic about having seen a fawn about .5 miles up the trail and how we were sure to see how cute it was. Of course the fawn was gone by the time I got there. It was warming up quickly. Projected high of 88 today. I ran 3.11 miles out in 25:30, then turned around and came back in 26:00. I was kind of tired. Got to my car and was anything BUT delighted to find I had a flat tire. Don't know how it happened, but the bike path last time we were there someone's window was smashed out. I have no doubt I probably ran something over, but oh well. I went to the mechanic and he said I'd have better luck with a used tire because since my other tires are somewhat worn already it might pull the car out of wack. The joys of a high mileage car. Emma and Ericka seem to be having fun at the week long course. We might go out for a show tonight at an outdoor stage.

Total Time: 51:28 Total Distance: 6.25 miles Average Pace:  8:14

7:00 PM - Temperature was around 85. Ran at the bike trail from LuLu's this time. Just ran an easy 3. Lots on my mind so I came back faster than I went out. Out in 14:00 Back in 11:51. Ran with Emm until about mile 2 then took off.

Total Time: 25:51 Total Distance: 3 miles Average Pace: 8:37

9:30 AM - Tired last night. Ran easy 4.26 in 37:30; average of 8:48/mile.

2:00 PM - Bought new pair of Reebok Heat Spandex. Ran 2.5 miles easy in them between 8:45 and 8:50 pace.

9:30 AM - Tired. Slept nine hours last night! First day not in the 80s or 90s basically this entire summer. Was 52 this a.m. when I woke up and 70 at 9am. Went running from the causeway up into Pittsfield State Forest. Did a loop up the mountain and down the other side, then back to the car. Felt good. Had two 10:30-12:00 miles going up. Rest were mid-8's with a fast 7-7:15 coming down.

Total Time: 1:21:28 Total Distance: 8.5 miles Average Pace: 9:35

Funny sidenote: This was the first time I have ever ran without a shirt on in public. Had to shed the cotton t-shirt about 1/4 of a mile down the mountain. It was just downright uncomfortable running in a soaking wet tshirt. I have no idea why I sweat so much! Feel sorry for all the ladies and guys having to look at my runner's farmer tan!

8:00 PM - Went to the bike trail with Emm. Emm's dad made nice chicken curry for dinner and it was fantastic, but I regretted it on the run. I tried to power through it but it was bad. I hate heartburn! Emm said I have to get antacid tablets or something. It's only in the evenings after I run. We ran out to the ducks, stretched and then back. Coming back the pace was much faster. I was just trying to get back to the car. My vision is horrible at night even with glasses on, but I took off my prescription sunglasses to try to get some more light and I couldn't see more than two feet in front of me! Was really hammering the last .5 mile but then a rabbit ran out in front of me in the twilight and I stopped really quickly. Felt a minor twinge in my left knee, though the next a.m. when I'm writing this no pain. Phew! Splits:

• Mile 1: 9:15
• Mile 2: 8:50
• Mile 3: 8:35
• Mile 4: 8:06
• .64: 4:45 (7:23 pace)
  

Total Time: 39:30 Total Distance: 4.64 Average Pace: 8:30