I only run on days that end in a "y."

A tad bit cooler this morning with a nice breeze.

I signed up as a wear tester through our running group.  I am wear testing the new Nike Free 4's, V2.  I picked them up yesterday after our long run.  Today was my first run in them.  I had given up on Nike but I must say that I really like these shoes.  I am sure it helps that I have been in the Kinvara's for while.  

The Nike's are just as light but even more flexible.  There are groves cut into the sole front to back, side to side.  The pictures say everything.  The midfoot landing feels natural.  There is enough cushioning as I could see using this as an everyday trainer.  At the same time the energy return is great.  The cushioning is not mushy at all even thought at first glance it would appear that way.  

Anyway, I am supposed to run in these as much as possible while recording my experiences.  I am looking forward to it.  

Woke up early and the rest of the family was still sleeping.  I thought I would take advantage of a slow morning and get an early run in.  I ran the hilly route today.  Don't know what I was thinking but I thought it was an 8 mile route but it is really 10.  Oh well, I got in a bit of extra credit.

At about mile 3 the big hill starts.  A cyclist had passed me a couple minutes earlier but I caught and passed him on the hill.  Not sure if he had to stop and walk or not but I did not see him for another mile when he passed me again.  

I am really liking the Nike's so far. I decided to pick it up on the last mile to test the shoes out at a faster pace.  They are very smooth, can barely hear anything during foot strike.  Not sure if they will supplant the Kinvaras though, but time will tell.  

9:15, 8:17, 7:59, 7:53, 7:57, 7:33, 7:47, 7:46, 7:39, 6:27. 

Close to 80 degrees and 80% humidity at 6 am.  Not sure if it was the hills or the shoes, or maybe both, but legs were a bit sore this morning.  Took it easy - 8:05 pace.

Thought this was funny!

Feel asleep early last night and slept in late this morning.  We to the indoor track at the gym but only had enough time for 5 miles at lunchtime.  7:30's-7:40's.  Followed by a quick but intense core session.

Warm and muggy morning - I parked at Barton Springs and ran to the annex.  I was already dripping when I got there.  The coach said that we were not going to the track but to Zilker park to run on the grass.  Well, that is right next to Barton Springs, so back I went with the group.  At least I got a nice 3 mile warm up!  

We got the Zilker park and did drills.  Today was a 2400 m time trail at race pace.  The coach marked off an 800m loop in a large open filed.  The grass was cut short and the ground was nice and flat.  I had never run fast on grass before so I was a bit worried about twisting my ankle or something but it was no problem in the end.  

I took off right from the start - a bit too fast - 4:50 pace - I paced off a really, really fast runner for the first 400m or so and then slowed a bit.  Halfway through the second lap I could hear foot steps behind me so I picked it up again.  I wasn't going to get passed.  Going into the third lap I laid it down - Garmin says 5:19 pace for the last half mile.  Coaches time was 8:23.  I am certain the grass cost me a few seconds.  Garmin read 1.54 miles and 2400m = 1.4919 miles so it appears we ran further than 2400m.  Garmin says 5:29 pace for the run. According to the calculators that is enough speed for a sub 3 marathon.

Wait, that's not all, now it is time for 10 x 400 m relays with a partner.  One runner runs 400m then the partner takes off while the one that just finished jogs across the field and waits for the partner to come in.  Repeat this 10 times.  Yep, I was worn out after this workout.  Easy 1.5 miles back to the pool.  Jumped in the springs to cool off.  So beautiful with the sun coming up.

2400 m time trial in 8:23, Garmin pace 5:29.

10 x 400 m relay repeats:

1:22, 1:30, 1:27, 1:26, 1:27, 1:26, 1:25, 1:27, 1:30, 1:23

Taking a day of rest today, but thought I would post this just for IJR:

Just say this in a local running blog - one of the reasons I got out of the military - too many goofy rules:

Don’t know where you stand on the applicability of "barefoot" shoes, but the US Army is not a big fan. The Army has banned the Vibram FiveFingers shoe, even though its supporters claim the shoe strengthens muscles in the feet and improves their running. But, the Army, issued a statement that read: "Effective immediately, only those shoes that accommodate all fives toes in one compartment are authorized to wear." The shoes, the Army says, "detract from a professional military image." That won’t do much for Vibram sales in Killeen and Waco.

Seemed really steamy out there.  I choose not to go down to the group this morning as I had an 8 am appointment at a kettle ball gym.  I picked up a Groupon for 8 sessions plus an intro session to go over all of the exercises.  This morning was the intro.  Nothing like running 14 miles in sweltering conditions and then going for another hour working out with ropes, core, kettleballs, etc.  I thought it would be an intro but it turned into quite a workout as well. It was good though as it is time to get back to full body conditioning.  I kinda took a break since the marathon.

 Anyway, the run today wasn't great.  Sometimes it's just a matter of getting through a run and that's what I felt like today.  I was done with 40oz of water by mile 10 and stopped at a faucet to fill up a couple of my bottles.  At least I was able to hold on and not slow at the end.  I was glad to be done. 

9:06, 8:15, 8:05, 7:57, 7:50, 7:39, 7:58, 7:54, 7:43, 7:39, 7:35, 7:44, 7:37, 7:29.