run, run, run

Meridian, ID 12:30 pm

Pace: 8:28

I love Mondays. After resting over the weekend, it is nice to get out and have the energy to go long and not feel sluggish. The weather was really nice too. About 50 with blue skys and slightly windy. Today I went up Cloverdale to McMillian to Linder to Pine and back up Cloverdale.

iPod song of the day: "Veronica" -- Elvis Costello

Meridian, ID Noon

Pace: 8:09

A good workout today. My legs were feeling kind of creaky when I started out, but just kept going alternating fast and slow quarters. After a while the creaks always work their way out, like a can of WD40.

It wasn't raining until about 10 seconds after I left the house. That is probably a good thing because I was having a hard enough time getting motivated today.

It was a good run. I don't know if my fast quarters were any faster than they had been, but I felt better and was able to keep the pace up more during the slow quarters and during the final two miles.

iPod song of the day: "Pinball Wizard" -- The Who

Boise, ID 8:00 am

Pace: 8:39

Had a lot to do today, so I went out earlier than usual. I like getting the run in early, but hate the cold, so I've been running at noon most days. This morning wasn't bad except for a few miles runing into the wind down McMillian.

iPod song of the day: "Sam Hall" -- Johnny Cash

Meridian, ID Noon

Pace: 8:00

Did my T-Th workout alternating fast and slow quarters for three miles then finished up with two comfortable miles. Actually, I kind of pushed myself for the final two. My average pace is going up on these. Maybe next week I'll bump it up to four miles.

Weather was pretty nice today, but started raining during the last half mile.

iPod song of the day: "Crazy On You" -- Heart

Boise, ID Noon

Pace: 7:48

Grrrrrr. This was supposed to be an easy run today -- a snack as my neighbor calls it. But no. It snowed the whole time. Those big flakes that get in your eyes. And for some reason, I decided to pick up the pace. I think I was bugged because I was hoping to come in under 8 minute pace yesterday and was at 8:00 exactly. Or, maybe I was just cold and wanted to finish as quickly as possible.

I picked up some funky new socks at the Nike store yesterday. The kind that are really low and have a left and right foot. They were pretty comfy, and only 4 bucks. I guess I'll have to buy up a few more.

iPod song of the day: "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" -- They Might Be Giants

Boise, ID 8:00am

Pace: 9:02

I've been to the summit.

Ran along the Robie Creek course today. I started about a mile and a half up on Rocky Canyon road where the houses end and went to the top and back. It was a great day for a run, chilly but the sun was out and the road was dry. Lots of folks out there today with only two weeks before the race. My New Year's race friend Tony was starting just as I was finishing up.

I finished in 2:01 last year, so my goal is to finish under 2 hours this time. Based on my time today, it will be close, but doable. Running up there gave me some confidence that I can get to the top this year without totally tanking it -- although tanking it certainly isn't out of the question.

iPod song of the day: "Sympathy for the Devil" -- The Rolling Stones (on conference weekend. I am going to burn in hell)