Doug's Running Thingy

Just over 20 miles on the road bike at 17.2 mph - really nice morning in Tally today - Fall has fell... fallen... falled...  Autumn has arrived.

Actually had to wear long sleeves this morning, and gloves would have helped for the first couple miles.  The cool temps did not completely make up for the lack of sleep though - it was a rough, lethargic 6 miles, but its in the books.

Hilly 5 miles in the neighborhood.  Loved this run during marathon training a few years ago.  Substantial inclines at end of mile 2, mile 3 and midway through mile 5.  This morning, I worked all those inclines and averaged right at 7:45 - not bad.

Great preview at Herb Wills' blog (http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2010/10/big-week-at-arpt.html) of the XC races and the venue this weekend.  Herb is a FSU Hall of Fame runner and many times All American.  Rarely races anymore, but he and his blog are the number one source for all things running in Tallahassee.  I will be running the open... after running around shooting pics of the boys and girls - at least it is supposed to be cool and dry.

Easy first and last miles, with goal of sub-7 for middle two miles - hit both at 6:52, although the second (third mile overall) was notably more challenging.  One benefit of running from the house instead of driving to the trails is that I can be back in time to bang out my circuit workout before work, rather than trying (and often failing) to squeeze it in at lunch or before dinner.

I'm down to 8 days before going on vacation for 11 days - need to work hard so I can play hard while in Orlando and Hawaii!! 

Couldn't drag out of bed this morning, so ran this evening before heading to the FSU ladies' soccer game (they beat Clemson 3-0).  Started at the track and ran the ravine trail clockwise then down to the low side of the new trail.  Ran new trail (1.35 mi) uphill in 10:02 - go ahead, gimme a wowwwww - I've never broken 12 minutes uphill before, so I was pleased.  Will take off tomorrow other than a little preview jog around the FSU Invite course with the team.  After that, we are going to watch the college races tomorrow evening.  FSU men and women both are #1 ranked in the South Region, with Florida #2 for women and #3 for men - the Gators will be at the meet -woooo.   Then, Saturday morning, Travis has his sites set on sub-17 for the first time, and I'm gunning for 20:27 or some such number in the mid 20's.

I guess the heat last year blinded me to the hills...  forgot all about them.  Perfect weather this year, and I beat my time from last year by 45 seconds, but the second time up the toughest hill (at just over 2 miles) really beat me up.  Ran a couple hundred meters in recovery mode, and got it together to finish pretty strong.  All in all, very satisfying once again - 20 seconds faster than 2 weeks ago and only 5 seconds off my 20:27 goal.  The race was a combined JV boys/community open, and, unfortunately for the team, I thrashed a couple of our JV runners - they're young, they will bounce back.

In the varsity race, which went off 10 minutes after sunrise at 52°, our #1 dipped under 16 for the first time this year to finish 5th at 15:50.  Bit of a gap to our #2 in 20th at 16:44, and then, a mere 12 seconds back, in 29th place with 16:56, was Travis.  His first time under 17, and a big 30 second personal best.  Extra little bonus had 2 of our guys behind him also drop PRs - a good morning.