The Next Step

Honolulu, HI:  Yesterday was a long day of travel and I was beat when I got out here so just went to bed and didn't run.  I was up early this morning and felt much better.  It was a nice morning around 75 with a pretty good wind.  I ran out to Diamond Head and then ran all the way around it.  This let me get in 4 pretty good hills.  I haven't run many hills lately so it was a good workout.  I felt good this morning and the running seemed easy.  It started pouring rain on me with about 2 miles to go and I got soaked.  It felt pretty good because I was getting hot.  Nice run this morning now off to go play golf with my customer.

1:20:12 (8:01 avg)

Honolulu, HI:  The weather was pretty much the same as yesterday (mid-70's and windy).  I ran the same route up around Diamond Head except today I ran around the neighborhoods on the back side of Diamond Head.  There were some short steep hills back there that I ran on and starting getting some pain in my calf on the steep downhills.  I felt good other than that and once I got off of the really steep hills the pain went away.  I came back faster than I went out.  Once again it started raining again a couple of miles from the hotel and I got soaked again.  Overall a good run.

1:36:42 (8:04 avg)

Honolulu, HI:  Same weather this morning.  Today I ran down by the beach and then back up by the canal.  I wanted to run this route because I did some tempo miles and wanted to know my pace so I didn't run the hills.  This is the first tempo that I have ran in awhile so just planned on running 3 tempo miles to see how it would go.  I did a 3 mile warmup and then ran the tempo.  I felt pretty good warming up and starting the tempo.  The first mile it was kind of hard to get going.  I was hoping to hit 6:45 pace but only did 6:52 for the first mile.  The next two I felt better and it started flowing better.  I did the next two in 6:42 and 6:36.  After this I ran a couple of easy miles.  Pretty satisfied with the effort.

60:38 (7:35 avg)

Honolulu, HI:  It was a little warmer and more humid this morning.  I felt good but just ran easy today.  I did the loop up and around Diamond Head.  It was a pretty morning up at the point and a lot of surfers were out this morning since the waves are supposed to be up today.  I got rained on a little bit but it was light so no big deal.  I am starting to feel more comfortable on the hills.

1:21:38 (8:10 avg)

Honolulu, HI: This is my last day in Hawaii and I am so glad to be heading home.  This has been a long week of travel and I am ready to see my family again. 

Same weather this morning and I had an early morning conference call with folks back east so had to cut the run short.  I felt good this morning and did the Diamond Head loop for the last time.  It was a nice morning and could see lots of stars off of the point.  After coming back down to the beach I did 8 x 100m strides to shake the legs out.  Good run and a good week of running while I was out here.

55:50 (7:59 avg)

Got back from Hawaii after flying all night.  Spent the rest of the day with the family.  It was so good to see them and be back home again.  That was a long trip and seemed even longer.

I slept about 10 hours last night after only sleeping 2 the night before because of the flight back.  Therefore, I didn't get started until late and it was pretty warm (75) and sunny.  I felt sluggish from the start.  Not sure if it was the jet lag or what but just could never really get going.  I had wanted to go longer today but just didn't have any energy so decided to cut it short and fight another day.  Just glad to get in the miles.

1:21:38 (8:10 avg)

It was a nice evening and my wife and daughters were out so I decided to take a longer bike ride.  I went 50 miles and felt pretty good.  That is the longest I have been in awhile so I was feeling it in my shoulders and bottom.  I maintained a good pace to didn't push it too hard.

It was a nice morning (70, calm) but the humidity is creeping up.  I felt pretty sluggish this morning.  Probably from the long bike ride last night.  I did feel better as I went along but still not the best.  I picked up the pace some the second half of the run.

63:50 (7:59 avg)

It was hot and humid this morning (low 80's).  I started off and was dragging again this morning.  Not sure what the problem is but could be heat, not sleeping good because of time change or still effects from long bike ride.  Anyway, I had planned on doing around 5 MP miles today but after running a couple of miles I knew it was not going to happen today.  I was just sluggish through the whole run and it never got better.  This is just one of those days that you are glad to get in and put down the miles.  Hopefully, tomorrow will be better.

65:15 (8:09 avg)

Another hot and humid morning (80).  I felt a little better this morning but still kind of blah.  It got worse as I went along.  I attempted to do some MP miles but just didn't have it in the legs.  It was way too hard of an effort for the pace I was running.  I'm sure the heat is a factor but doesn't seem like it should be that much of an effect.  I just backed off and ran a comfortable pace the rest of the way.  I was drenched with sweat when I got back.  Probably the worse this year.  I have hothing really on the calendar for awhile race wise so just getting in the miles.  Hopefully, I will snap out of this soon.

65:21 (8:10 avg)

It was cooler this morning (72) but still very humid.  I felt better this morning but started off real slow just to get loosened up and see how things would go.  After 3 miles I started picking up the pace and eventually got to MP pace.  Did around 3 miles and MP which felt ok.  Still don't seem to have the normal zip in the legs but was just glad to hold the pace.  After the MP miles did about a 1/2 cool down.  I guess you can't really call it a cool down in this kind of weather.  Glad to get in a better run today and hope to feel even better tomorrow.

62:40 (7:50 avg)

PM:  22 mile bike ride on a hot and humid evening.  Pretty relaxed pace and good to feel the wind blowing on me to cool things down.

It was another hot and humid morning.  Heard on the news last night that this hot streak is the worst we have had in 20 years.  Great....  I felt pretty good this morning but just planned an easy run today.  After about 3 or 4 miles I was soaked with sweat and could definitely feel the effects of the heat.  I just took it easy from there but did add in 5 x 100m strides toward the end.  This week has just been about getting out and getting some miles in.  I figure no need for any serious workouts until the weather is better.  Also, it has been kind of an inconsistent summer for me so I need to get consistent before the fall and upcoming races.

64:09 (8:01 avg)

Another warm and humid morning.  I felt good this morning getting started.  I have been kind of sluggish all week so it was nice to have a good day.  I kind of had it on autopilot today.  Just was listening to music and taking in the nice morning.  I didn't really have to push at any point just crusied along.  The only bad part was dealing with the horrible humidity.  After a few miles I was soaked with sweat and by the time I finished there was not a dry piece of clothing on me.  I am definitely looking forward to a break in this weather.  Probably won't have one for a while since I am traveling to Dallas next week.

1:51:45 (7:57 avg)

I think I can just skip the weather part.  Same old story.  I just did an easy 6 miles before church this morning.  I felt good but just ran easy.  Nothing really special just try to stay consistent.

47:44 (7:58 avg)

Dallas, TX:  I flew down yesterday morning then had a bunch of stuff blow up at work and couldn't get a run in yesterday.  Today was crazy too but was able to squeeze in 5 miles after my conference and before dinner meeting.  I ran on the TM because it was 100 degrees outside.  I did a couple of miles warmup and then picked it up to MP and ran 3 miles.  I felt pretty good but not the best.  It was just nice to get some miles with everything going on.  This is our busiest time of year so I guess it is to be expected.

37:35 (7:29 avg)

Dallas, TX: Got up real early to get a run in.  I ran on the hotel TM because the area was not the best for running plus it was dark.  I just took it easy and felt pretty good the whole way.  Nothing special just really busy and trying to get the running in.

55:52 (7:59 avg)

Back in Indiana and it was a beautiful morning.  It was around 60 and calm. I felt good and the running came easy.  I ran easy and then added 6 x 100m strides at the end.  I felt like I could have pushed it today but I am going to try a long run in the morning and thought I would hold back for that.  This has not been a good week so far running wise but just glad to be able to get out.

54:21 (7:45 avg)

Today was school picture day and with two teenage girls getting ready there was a lot going on around the house this morning.  Because of this I was not able to get out as early as I planned so had to cut the run short.  It was a nice morning but I felt a little sluggish today and just ran easy.  I am going hiking over the weekend so will miss the next couple of days running.  

1:11:32 (7:57 avg)

Went hiking in the Smoky Mountains with my wife and a few friends.  Did around 6 miles with about 2000 ft of elevation gain.  Had a good time and enjoyed being in the outdoors.

More hiking in the Smoky Mountains.  Did about 6 miles with 3000 ft elevation gain and a 30 lb backpack.  It was a nice day but a little cloudy.  Spent the night up on Mt LeConte which was really fun.

Last day of hiking in the Smokies.  Did over 8 miles but only around 1000 ft of elevation gain.  Had a good time be their with my wife.  Will be glad to get back to running.

Had to get up at 4:30 am to fly out to San Diego today.  Had a full day of meetings when I got their and then went to dinner with a friend that I ran CC with in HS.  I hadn't seen him in 30 years so it was really cool catching up.

San Diego:  Did an easy 7 miles on a beautiful day.  I felt pretty good but was tired from all the travel and the lack of sleep.  Nothing special but glad to get back out running.  Didn't have my watch but just ran easy.

San Diego:  Out early this morning before flying back to Indy.  I felt good and the running came easy.  I picked it up throughout the run and ran some of the miles at MP but since it was dark I didn't pay a lot of attention to the watch.  Nice run.

Back home in Indiana and it was a beautiful morning around 60 degrees and clam.  I felt a little tired from the trip back yesterday and some jet lag.  I did an easy few miles to get warmed up and felt some better.  Then I did 12 x 1:00 with 1:00 recovery at around tempo pace (between 6:10 and 6:20).  The first couple I didn't feel the best but got better as I went along.  This was a good warm up for some more speed work that I will start over the next few weeks.  I would like to get a good 10k in this fall and focus on a faster half later in the fall.

59:55 (7:30 avg)

Another nice morning with temps in the upper 50's.  It has been awhile since we had temps like this.  I felt pretty good today and just enjoyed the nice morning and listening to some music as I went along.  I need to get my mileage back up I have been real inconsistent lately and I know it is hurting my training.  Just been crazy with work, travel, etc.  Hopefully, things will settle down soon.

1:35:56 (8:00 avg)

It was nice this morning but the temps are starting to creep back up and so is the humidity.  I felt pretty good this morning but just started out easy to get the legs warmed and moving.  I did about 6 miles and then went to the park and ran 8 x hill sprints with easy recovery.  It has been awhile since I have ran the hills and I could feel it in my legs.  I have been a little leery of running hills because of the injury earlier in the summer but everything felt good today.  This is definitely something that I need to continue to do in my training.  After the hills did a couple of easy miles back to the house.

1:17:22 (8:36 avg)

I had to leave this morning for Philly but I got out early before my flight.  The temps was up and the humidity is starting to get back up.  Today I planned to just run easy so I did something that I normally don't do and left my watch at home.  It is sometimes liberating to not be a clock watcher and just enjoy the run.  It was a beautiful sunrise this morning so that was enjoyable.  I felt pretty good and was glad to get this in before a long day of meetings.