track fan

2:18:03.  I don't know how long this was ... I know where the 7 mile turn-around is.  I just added on 9 mins from the 7 mile turn-around and called it a mile.  1:11:52/1:06:10 (approx 8:59/8:16 AP - but I really did not start picking it up until 4 miles to go -- the trail is marked at this point -- I would assume at that point I was running 7:45 pace or so).  My aerobic stuff was good, my legs were a little sore and tired ... I think it was the couple weeks of very hilly workouts.   In general, I can't complain at all.  It was the coolest temperature I have run in since last April or so (around 55F) and I was happy to feel so good running the couple more miles ... Greg only has me doing two 22 mile long runs, so it makes me a little nervous, but it has been working for his elite group - so hopefully it will work for me as well.  His philosophy (of late) is less-is-more, if you have consistent mileage (70 mpw for me, 110-120+ for his elites) all year round, then 9-10 weeks of "marathon" mileage is all you need.  This is in stark contrast to my friend Merry, who has been doing 20 milers for 5 weeks already.

I got a late start because I was watching the NYC marathon on TV!!  It was amazing.  Three -- yes THREE -- men all ran under the course record of 2:07:43!!!  wow!  Patrick Mutai, the winner, ran a  2:05:06.  The men's race was a smart one, and the kind that generally wins records, an even-to-negative split.  This was in stark contrast to the women's race, where the favorite, Mary Keitany, was on course (almost world) record pace until the last 8 miles where the chase pack tracked her down and two runners passed her in the last 1.5 miles.  

Surprise of the day was Molly Pritz with her 2:31:52 debut!!  Kim Smith did awesome, ran a pretty even race netting a 2:25:46.  Lauren Fleshman did well at the beginning running pretty even 5:44 pace, and then the wheels came off by 22 miles, when she went down to 6:11 pace and ran her last mile in 7:33.  On Facebook she said something to the effect that if she did not hurt so bad right now she would think it was pretty funny how much she lost control over her body the last few miles.  

Meb showed us all, again, just how consistent a runner he is ... I really do think he will be in the top three in Houston. 

I can't wait to read Rossy's blog on his race.

Happy Sunday everyone! 

AM: (at least 8.5, 1:13:56).  10 x 2` w/1` recovery, over hill and dale.  Not as hilly as my hill repeats, but most certainly not flat.  You play as you practice ;-).

PM: easy 4.

Off and running today -- just spent 2 hours trying to figure out why my code did not work yesterday as I prepared for my class ... I still don't know why it did not work yesterday, but it works today ?!  hmmm.  Was here at work last night until 8:30 with a problem student. He is trying to finish his masters degree this semester, is supposed to give a talk on his project in 3 weeks, and yet I spent more time on his project than he did last weekend?  moan, groan, moan ... I am a big baby.

Have a great Tuesday bloggers! 

Easy run ... approximately 7.5 miles 1:04:32.

 A beautiful 40F!! I had to wear gloves (my hands get cold easily now that I am old).

Happy Hump Day bloggers!

For  your reading pleasure, a wonderful piece about Trina Painter  (Trina is still holds the American Record for the 20K, from 1994), but now she is on a roll as a master's runner, most recently the first masters in the Tufts 10K running a 36:07, still top 25, first over 40!!

AM: (12 miles, 1:38:06).  Well, I will admit that I was a bit nervous about this run.  My first real "fitness test" since last spring.  27:57wu/26:24cd down to the track and back +   6 mile steady state run (target pace according to Greg's new and improved calculator and my 1/2 marathon from well over a year ago: 7:16-7:29).  It was windy (12-20 mph according to wunderground) and I just kept telling myself -- there is no room for failure.  Now what defined "failure" was another thing ;-) ... what I decided was I would do was finish the workout, even if it meant being slightly slower than the slowest target pace (7:29).  So ... without further ado ... yippppee:

7:29, 7:22, 7:17, 7:14, 7:13, 7:07

I kept it steady and controlled until I was sure I could finish -- which apparently, to my body, meant mile 5 ... then I quit looking at my watch.  Felt good even though by the the 24th lap I was REALLY hating that darn headwind on every freaking back-stretch! It was a long, yet happy, uphill run home.

PM: easy .... and I do mean easy ... 4.

Was reading a back issue of Running Times this morning -- and I happened upon this article by Lorraine Moller (bronze medalist in the 1992 Olympic marathon -- I was so honored an lucky to meet Lorraine - and hold her medal - at a running camp a few years ago).  Her article touches on some of the things many of you (thanks April, allie and auntieem for your thoughts on this) have posted on the subject. My favorite quote from the article was by Nobby: "Next thing they know the training has overwhelmed the goal and they fall apart in the race like badly made sushi."  ha ha ha  

1:04:05.  Easy run, I was so relieved that this run actually felt pretty good - last nights "shake out" was pretty funny I was making some weird sounds the first 3 mins or so ...

 Went up to Phoenix to see John Ball ... and talked to our dear friend Ryan Hall

ok, the dear friend was exaggerating, but we did talk to Ryan Hall.   It was cool.

Happy Friday-that-feels-like-a-Saturday bloggers.

Happy Veterans Day ... never forget. 

AM: (8.5 miles, 1:18:10).  Probably a little longer than 8.5, but still not quite 9 ... was happy that with the exception of a little bruising from John yesterday, my legs still feel really good this week.  Hopefully my very very hilly 18 miles tomorrow will only make them happier.  I am going to DC next week, it will be a couple chilly morning runs for me (also super early).

PM: easy 4.

Happiest of Saturday bloggers!!