Running in Life's Slow Lane

I had a great time with friends and family last night to see out the last moments of 2009 as well as to welcome 2010 into our lives. To get the new decade started off on the right foot I made sure to get out on the trails this afternoon.

7.00 mi in 01:24:57 @ 12:08/mi burning 860 calories with 156 bpm HRavg

Markers ---
1.00 mi in 11:58 144 bpm
1.00 mi in 11:33 158 bpm
1.00 mi in 12:03 167 bpm
1.00 mi in 11:43 164 bpm
1.00 mi in 12:18 156 bpm
1.00 mi in 12:20 152 bpm
1.00 mi in 13:00 154 bpm

As I finished up the sun was going down and the temperatures dropped quickly, leaving me a bit chilled.

Location: Elmer Thomas Park, Lawton, Oklahoma

After watching the Sherlock Holmes movie, I took time for a short -- but very cold -- jog to finish out this week of running. Under the clear skies, the wind was still but there was still a decent amount of windchill and I was COLD for the first mile or so. Then as I finished I made a point of getting into the vehicle quickly as what sweat I had generated began to chill with a vengeance.

3.01 mi in 36:29 @ 12:09/mi burning 374 calories.

Markers ---
1.00 mi in 12:01
1.00 mi in 12:03
1.00 mi in 12:21

Location: Elmer Thomas Park, Lawton, Oklahoma

This afternoon was overcast and a bit windy so that the 29*F air temperature generated a 20*F windchill. When I had to turn my face to the north and run straight into the wind my pace and my commitment to run suffered mightily. As the late afternoon turned over to darkness my face started wondering what it could have done that I should punish it so by running in the cold.

This is the first day of a cutback week on the schedule. I'm only planning for 15 miles this week.

5.01 mi in 01:01:18 @ 12:15/mi burning 599 calories.

Markers ---
1.00 mi in 12:16
1.00 mi in 12:16
1.00 mi in 12:40
1.00 mi in 12:50
1.00 mi in 11:11

Location: Elmer Thomas Park, Lawton, Oklahoma

Some days I can run a few miles, get warmed up and eventually find a groove where my mind is not preoccupied with the complaints coming from my body about running. Today was NOT one of those days as I struggled for every step. It seemed like my pace was too slow, the distance too long, the wind too cold, etc. When an excuse finally presented itself I cut my workout short of the 5 mile goal, gladly.

4.07 mi in 49:31 @ 12:11/mi burning 468 calories with 163 bpm HRavg.

Markers --
1.00 mi in 12:10  167 bpm
1.00 mi in 12:22  160 bpm
1.00 mi in 12:02  167 bpm
1.00 mi in 12:08  166 bpm

I will probably not get in the rest of my 15 mile week until Friday or Saturday as they are predicting some painfully cold temperatures for the next few days. Maybe I will break down and visit *gasp* the YMCA.

Location: Old Town North and Elmer Thomas Park, Lawton, Oklahoma

So back to the grind of the training schedule with the first workout of the next 3 week build-up phase. It all starts with a full 10 mile long run.

10.00 mi in 02:03:15 @ 12:19/mi burning 1132 calories with 164 bpm HRavg.

Markers ---
1.00 mi in 12:28  150 bpm
1.00 mi in 12:00  157 bpm
1.00 mi in 11:59  166 bpm
1.00 mi in 12:12  174 bpm
1.00 mi in 11:56  170 bpm
1.00 mi in 11:35  174 bpm
1.00 mi in 12:09  174 bpm
1.00 mi in 13:16  160 bpm
1.00 mi in 12:36  164 bpm
1.00 mi in 13:00  158 bpm

I am so glad the bitter cold has passed for a short time.

Location: All around central Lawton, Oklahoma

I am a creature of habit so I am not sure this schedule which only calls for 4 days a week works well for me. I'm going to stick to it though until after my half marathon and then I can adapt back to 6 days.

3.00 mi in 36:46 @ 12:15 burning 370 calories with 158 bpm HRavg

1.00 mi in 11:56  158 bpm
1.00 mi in 12:12  155 bpm
1.00 mi in 12:36  161 bpm

Location: Out and back on 45th street, Lawton, Oklahoma

The weather was mild and very, very humid so that I was sweating profusely but more from just the moisture collecting on me as I moved through the liquid atmosphere than from a need to cool off. I seem to be fighting some sort of ear-nose-throat thing and running got my nose started. I ended up stopping at the end of each 1 mile to clear the nasal passages and get a few unimpeded snorts of air.

8.06 mi in 01:32:34 @ 11:29/mi burning 1058 calories with 158bpm HRavg

Markers ---
1.00 mi in 11:57  139 bpm
1.00 mi in 11:26  155 bpm
1.00 mi in 11:05  153 bpm
1.00 mi in 11:19  165 bpm
1.00 mi in 11:24  162 bpm
1.00 mi in 11:25  163 bpm
1.00 mi in 11:00  167 bpm
1.00 mi in 12:10  161 bpm

First day in the new Asics Gel-1150s and everything felt fine. No tender shins after running and much less complaining from the heels this morning. As of this morning I have lost 6 pounds since I started paying attention to my food intake on 01 Jan which is much faster than I had intended. I have 4 more I want to be rid of before the half marathon on 14 March.

Location: Old Town North neighborhood and Elmer Thomas Park, Lawton, Oklahoma

My illness is holding on and seems to be unsettled on whether to remain in my ear-nose-throat area or to descend into my chest. When I woke this morning I was fearing I might be on my way to another bout of bronchitis but as the day wore on everything broke loose. To celebrate, I went for a run.

11.00 mi in 2:18:52 @ 12:37/mi burning 1248 calories with 156 bpm HRavg

Markers --
1.00 mi in 12:03  155 bpm
1.00 mi in 12:07  159 bpm
1.00 mi in 12:20  162 bpm
1.00 mi in 12:40  151 bpm
1.00 mi in 12:38  154 bpm
1.00 mi in 12:39  156 bpm
1.00 mi in 12:59  155 bpm
1.00 mi in 12:57  152 bpm
1.00 mi in 13:02  157 bpm
1.00 mi in 13:08  158 bpm
1.00 mi in 12:13  159 bpm

Upon finishing the workout I discovered that I had a distinct waddle to my walk as my legs muscles were very sore. I just held my head high thinking, "If I must waddle, then I shall waddle like a winner."

Location: Elmer Thomas Park, Lawton, Oklahoma

Trying to work a few shorter runs into the schedule when the weather, mood, and time presents an opportunity. The cold still lingers but I seem to be improving. Instead of a constant draining I now go through periods where I have focus and then wane into feeling like crap once again.

3.03 mi in 38:13 @ 12:37 burning 344 calories with 155 bpm HRavg

Markers --
1.00 mi in 12:50 157 bpm
1.00 mi in 12:31 150 bpm
1.00 mi in 12:28 158 bpm

The wind was gusting a bit and it was overcast, almost ready to spit rain throughout the run. Nice temperatures though so I am not going to complain one bit.

Location: Old Town North and Elmer Thomas Park, Lawton, Oklahoma