run, run, run

Boise, ID 6:30 am

Pace: 8:24 Avg HR: 154

This morning Randy was standing in his driveway again. Not in a bathrobe this time. In his running clothes, but holding a baby. "Sorry, you're on your own again this morning. I was all ready to run and then he woke up." Oh well, maybe Wednesday.

It was cold and rainy this morning, but a pretty good run. I'm already tired of running in the dark. This is going to be a long winter.

iPod song of the day: "Beautiful World" -- Devo

Boise, ID 6:00 am

Pace: 8:53 Avg HR: 147

Got up and did a slow ten this morning. It was dark, so I didn't check my pace at all, just kept it comfortable. Kind of chilly this morning, mid 30s. I went up Cloverdale to Overland to Maple Grove and then cut across at Emerald and back up Cloverdale to home.

I signed up for a little 5k on Saturday. I haven't done one since New Year's day. Curious to see if I've gotten faster or slower in 9 months.

iPod song of the day: "Fantasy" -- Earth Wind & Fire

Boise, ID 6:30 am

Pace: 8:47 Avg HR: 144

Apparently Randy is easing his way back into it. He was in his running clothes this morning and not holding a child, but he told me that the child was awake inside and that he was only going to run a mile or two. So we ran a couple of miles then I ran three more. It's probably best for me anyway. I didn't sleep much last night so I felt like crap and I had a bunch of unpleasant stuff on my mind. Some people say that running is a great opportunity to think through things and process information etc. Not me. I'd rather plug in some music and check out. More of an escape for me.

Slogged my way through the run and got back early -- so I napped for about an hour before starting to work. I'm still tired.

Boise, ID 6:00 am

Pace: 8:25 Avg HR: 151

Felt really good running this morning. Thought my pace would be faster, but I didn't look at my watch until I finished because it was dark. I went down Cloverdale to Executive/Pine to Locust Grove and back home on Ustick.

So a week ago I was still thinking that I was getting old and should just be content to run one Marathon per year just to make sure I keep running but not worry about new challenges. Then, yesterday I got this idea in my head to try the Utah Grand Slam next year. I have a friend that wants me to do Ogden and another set of friends that are talking about St. George. Then there are just two more, right? Still thinking about it. Talked to my wife about it. She can't imagine why I would want to do such a thing. I can't either, but I do. We'll see.

iPod song of the day: "The Man In Me" -- Bob Dylan

Boise, ID 6:30 am

Pace: 8:01 Avg HR: 153

So Randy actually ran the whole route this morning. Just in time to take all of next week off to go hunting. We took the usual course but did it in reverse. Had a good run. Kept the pace up pretty good.

People (businesses) really need to be turning off their sprinklers. I hate getting wet when it's freezing out.

Really small community races are good because they give slow guys like me a chance to win their age group. They didn't record finishing times or reward winners. I only know I came in fifth because I counted four people in front of me and I assume I won my age group because the four other guys looked younger. But it was a nice run on the greenbelt and I came close to my top 5k time. And they had free hamburgers and hot dogs at the finish line.