Doug's Running Thingy

14.3 on the mountain bike at the greenway trails - great location, nice morning ride while the boys did 12 miles easy

With the exception of the unintended 9 mile adventure in Gainesville a few weeks ago, this was my longest run in probably 9 months.  Not all that much longer than my usual 5.4 mile figure 8 course, but its a step up.  All miles were under 7:50, with the fastest at 7:37, and not at all challenging - good deal. 

The weather for Saturday morning's trail 5K in Thomasville is looking acceptable - upper 60s for a low, so maybe not more than 75 by 8AM.  I will try a goal race pace mile in the middle of my run tomorrow just for giggles... 6:50 or so. 

Overstreet loop plus south side of ravine trail there and back, from the track.  About 66 degrees on the trails this morning - getting nicer and nicer, shame its also getting darker and darker.  Took the first 1.5 real easy with the plan to go sub 7 for the first mile of the Overstreet loop.  That mile is slightly rolling with a downhill start - I hit it at 6:56.  Was actually shooting for 6:50, and felt real good, so I worked the next mile as well.  It is a very flat section with limited turns and good footing - did that one in 6:46 - better.  Wasn't nearly as dead as I expected I would be for the mile and a half back to the track - good run.

The XC team was just finishing up their cool down/stretching after the morning workout when I got back to the track - 5X1200 at goal 5K pace - didn't get a chance to chat with Travis yet, but he was fired up about it before I went out for my run.  I saw the first 1200 - #1 runner went through at 3:45 and Travis led a couple others through at 4:05 - pretty solid since his goal 5K is 16:30 this year.  Can't wait to hear how the other 4 reps went.

11.7 miles on the mountain bike (11.4 mph) - slow going until the trails were light enough to see where I was going.  I'm thinking that was my last morning trail ride for a while.

Lake Overstreet trail from the track.  Easy 1.5 miles out, then minute on / minute off for 2 miles - a little better than 5:20 pace or so.  Finished with a stronger than expected 1.5 back to the track.  Will do an easy 4 tomorrow and then a 5K trail race on Saturday, followed by running around for a couple hours shooting pics of XC runners - I do love cross country season.

Easy 3.5 around the neighborhood early this morning confirmed how much I prefer running on the trails.  Ah well, new inserts for the shoes and plug away on the roads until the time change I guess.  

Quite pleased with the effort this morning, and thankful that the open race went off at 8am when the skies were overcast and temps were low 70s.  Trav and the boys team ran 2 hrs later under bright sunny skies at mid 80s - bleh.  I went out a bit faster than hoped (6:35), but felt pretty good so didn't back off much... at least I didn't think so.  Second mile, however, was 7:05, and I still felt good, so picked it up and left the group I fell in with during the 2nd mile (I blame them for the slow mile - heh).  Ran the 3rd mile in 6:31 and finished up at 20:52.  Goal was 21:15, so it was a good day.

Travis let the heat and hills get in his head, and never got into a rhythm.  First mile wasn't too bad (5:32, but wanted 5:25), but at the 2nd mile, his team mate whom he had beaten the past 2 races, came around him strong and Trav kinda folded.  Finished up cruising and placed 6th at 18:24.  The boys took first with their top five in 2nd, 6th, 10th, 11th and 12th.  Plenty of good to take from the race, so he was fine...  over a minute better than he ran this race last year, and the team raced strong and won, even without 3 of their usual top 5.