Cool Runnings!

AM - got to sleep in a bit, as I had to do some troubleshooting with our network team from home.

PM - ran on the dreadmill, 6 miles.  Warmed up first .5 at 8:30 pace, belt seemed to be catching a bit, so I decided to increase the pace to 7:30/mile to see if it helped.  It did, a little, at least I didn't seem to be getting thrown off balance.   At the 1 mile mark, was getting sick of the treadmill already, so I decided to turn the run into a 1/2 MP tempo run.  Increased speed to 6:40/mile, ran that pace for 4 miles, no problems, then decided to bump the speed up to 6:00/mile (max on my treadmill) for as long as I felt good.  Stayed at that pace for 1/2 mile, then cooled down 1/2 mile at 8:30 pace.  Total time for the run was 41:59, average pace of 7:00/mile.  Felt good, but glad to be off the treadmill.  I need to find a different time to run.  Lybi runs every evening with Christine at 8:45, which forces me to stay home with the boys.  I either need to a) start running early in the morning again, which I don't particularly want to do, because my achilles is always stiff in the morning, b) run as soon as I get home from work, which is difficult for Lybi because she is usually teaching piano lessons, c) run after dinner but before family scripture study (7:30) or d) continue to run on the treadmill.  AARRGH!

Ran 0.8 with Sparky, then 6.2 on my own outside.  I had tried to fix the treadmill, but was unable to get it to work.  Not that I minded running outside . . .

Legs felt a little dead today on the run, both as a result of the lack of sleep as well as the tempo run yesterday.  Still felt pretty good, and every time I tried to slow down, my legs automatically sped up again.  So I just decided to run whatever pace my legs wanted to.  Time with Sparky was 6:03, time for the 6.2 miles was 46:47, total average pace of right around 7:33/mile. 

Well, I got my new Axioms today, so I decided I would take them out for a spin.  Headed out, and discovered the wind was blowing pretty good.  In spite of that, after having warmed up the first mile, I started running at MP starting at the second mile (partly because the wind was at my back at the time).  I thought, might as well get in some MP miles.  Miles 3 and 4 were into the wind and were pretty difficult, but I pressed on.  Miles 5 and 6 were then with the wind mostly at my back, and were much easier.  As I was finishing the 6th mile, I saw a dog-like animal streak across the road in front of me and run down the direction I was going to be heading.  This kind of freaked me out since it was dark and I couldn't see well, plus the wind was really blowing hard directly in my face, so I turned off that road and went back home a different route.  After 6 miles at MP or faster, I cooled down for 1.2 miles.  When I got home, I turned around and took Sparky out for .8 miles to make a total of 9 miles today.  The shoes felt pretty good.  They are definitely lighter than the Adrenalines.  I will plan on using them for my 1/2 marathon in February, and will also plan on using them for long tempo runs.

Ran in the evening after dinner.  Sasha is right, eating the right food makes a big difference in terms of how quickly after dinner one is able to eat.  I ran about 30 minutes after dinner, no problem at all during the run with my stomach.  Tried to make this an easy recovery run.  Went a different way than normal, and after going through some construction zones where there was barely enough room to run, decided that it was not a good area to run, turned around and headed off another way to get in some more miles before I turned back for home.  The run felt very good - it was a nice stress reliever from a very difficult day at work.  Total distance was 7 miles, total time was 53:52, average pace of 7:42/mile.  I am happy with this run.

I'll keep this entry short so I can go to bed.  Ran 8 miles while Lybi watched Pirates of the Caribbean 3 with Holly.  The first 6 miles felt good, then I started to get kind of tired.  Probably again from lack of sleep.  I also pushed it on the last mile just so I could get home.  Total time for the run was 59:15, average pace of 7:24/mile.  Planning on a long run tomorrow - either 12 or 13 miles, which will put me at either 49 or 50 miles for the week.  It is actually amazing to me how 8 miles doesn't even phase me any more - it seems so commonplace, whereas even this time last year, I would have considered it to be a medium-long distance run.  I think that says something to me about my level of fitness.  Depending on how I feel tomorrow, I may attempt to put in an 8 mile tempo at or below MP.

Medium-long run for the week, 12 miles.  Was originally hoping to get my run in this afternoon, but that did not work out.  I had to be at the pinewood derby for our cub scouts since I am a webelos leader, and that took longer than I thought it would.  The run was interesting.  Lybi and I went out to eat early this evening, and finished at about 6:30.  I headed out for my run at 9:00, and could still feel my dinner.  Of course, there was some fatty food, and I also probably ate too much.  So I had some abdominal discomfort (just a little) for about the first half of the run.  I should have known better :)  Hit the first half in 45:34, just a little slower than 7:30 pace.  Decided to pick up the pace just a tad to try to average 7:30 for the entire run.  However, once I hit the 8 mile mark, my body wanted to be home, and I ended up picking up the pace a bit more.  This is where two of my MP miles were - 7:14 and 7:11.  After a 11th mile of 7:20, I kicked it into gear, and hit my last mile in 6:53.  I was huffing and puffing at the end, I was tired, but glad to have the run complete.  49 miles for the week, and feeling good.  I should be able to top 50 miles next week, then start preparing for my 1/2 marathon.  Congratulations to all the FRB'ers who ran Painter's and did so well, I am so proud of all of you!  Lybi and I wish we could have been there, but it was not to be this year.