Go, you chicken fat, go away!

Today I wore the same outfit that I wore when I ran Pat's Run (except for the shoes.)  I stepped outside and it felt a little cold for my liking - 37.4.  Luckily all the extra holiday weight helped me warm up pretty quickly.  I did a 0.2 mile warm up to the mailbox and back.  Then I stretched out.  I started running and my legs felt really good, so I decided to do a tempo run.  It was nice to do some speed work, since I haven't run that fast since the last 5k I did.

Time - 45:03 (avg. pace 8:03)

Mile 1 - 8:50

Mile 2 - 7:22 (6:18 best)

Mile 3 - 8:41

Mile 4 - 7:07 (6:25 best)

Mile 5 - 9:00

Last 0.59 - 4:04 (6:50 pace.  5:50 best)

I'm trying to be a smarter runner.  The problem is, I don't really know what I'm doing.  Since I had a couple of fast miles yesterday I figured I should do a recovery run today.  Is that smart or no?  Sandy Dune, what say you?  Or should recovery runs be after long runs only?

Time - 52:29 (avg. pace 9:23)

Splits - 9:38, 9:14, 9:23, 9:24, 9:17, 5:33 for 0.59 (9:22 pace)

Whew!  A nice little run home from work.  I was all decked out this time with my MP3 player, headlamp, Garmin, cell phone, chocolate GU, and orange GU chomps.  I forgot my reflective belt, but oh well.  I know this is going to open me up for some harsh scrutiny, but below is a list of songs I went through during the run:

Take It on the Run - REO Speedwagon, Right Now - Van Halen, Jump - Van Halen [there's something about Van Halen that just makes you feel good inside.], Believe it or Not - Mike Post, Total Eclipse of the Heart - Stevie Nicks, Sound of Silence - Simon and Garfunkel, I Think We're Alone Now - Debbie Gibson, I Can't Fight This Feeling - REO Speedwagon, Footloose - Kenny Loggins, Foolish Heart - Steve Perry, I Love Rock and Roll - Joan Jett, Our Lips Are Sealed - The Bengals, Maneater - Hall & Oates, Entre Dos Tierras - Heroes Del Silencio, I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor, Shine - Collective Soul, Good Love - Cindy Lauper [think Goonies, very hard song to find.], More Than a Feeling - Boston, Shot Through the Heart - Bon Jovi, Staying Alive - the Bee Gees, Hazy Shade of Winter - the Bangels, No More Tears - Ozzy Osbourne, Eye of the Tiger [a very timely song due to the rough terrain] - Survivor, Bust a Move - Young MC, The Final Countdown - Europe, Winds of Change - Scorpions, Welcome to the Jungle - Guns N' Roses, Bang Your Head - Quiet Riot [they're not quiet, but they are a riot.], Blue Collar Man - Styx, Karen Wonders - The Fabulous Strader Kids, Love is a Battelfield - Pat Benetar, Lady - Styx, Separate Ways (World's Apart) - Journey, Come Sail Away - Styx, You Shook Me All Night Long - AC/DC, The Last Mile - Cinderella [I love this song.  Ironically enough it played during the last mile.], Paradise - Tesla.

I barely missed Mr. Roboto by Styx.

Time - 2:22:57 (avg. pace 9:39 avg.)

Splits - 9:03, 8:49, 9:18, 9:27, 9:18, 9:40, 9:43, 9:48, 9:48, 9:49, 9:49, 10:00, 9:57, 10:14, 8:18 for 0.81 (10:17 pace)

***UPDATE****

Well, my baby wouldn't go to sleep last night.  She's not feeling well.  Shortly after 1am she finally did.  Then I found myself not sleeping.  I didn't even feel tired.  I was tired from the run, but not sleepy tired.  I didn't take any water with me this time.  Before I left I drank this 4 oz. Apple Slam Energy drink I got at the Mesquite Marathon.  (I hope it didn't have an expiration date.)  Then I drank 6 oz. of water.  Since I didn't have water I was worried about taking the GU's.  I've heard myths that you'll throw up if you don't drink anything when you take them.  But, that's what I'm guessing kept me up 'til 1:30 in the morn.

Today I went running with Bruce RUN2DAY for the first time.  He's quite a bit faster than me, but he stayed with me the whole time.  PF Chang's R&R is next weekend.  He's going to be the pacer for the 3:20 group.  Bruce is a teacher at Dobson High School.  He's over 50 and he is going to retire after this year.  We had a nice conversation about Ragnar, getting hit by cars, marathons, basically all things running.  It was enjoyable.

Time - 47:48 (avg. pace 8:37)

 Splits - 8:59, 8:25, 8:29, 8:30, 8:37,4:48 for 0.55 (8:44 pace)

Nice easy run with some of my Ragnar team.  Afterwards we had a meeting.  It's going to be fun.

I might try to get some more miles in this evening.

I have to give it up to my new blogging friend Steve Piccolo.  He started running again last year.  He lost 25 lbs and had an amazing race at SGM.  I want to be just like him, except for his ears.