It ain't Chinese algebra!

New year, new shoes, same result.  I didn't expect any different but you never know. ;)  I ran in a new pair of Nike Lunarglides (first time I've ran in Nike's since high school).  The first mile didn't feel too great (I had literally just pulled them out of the box) but after that they felt great.  I think I'm really going to like them.  My problem with Nike 10 years ago was a narrow toe-box but that doesn't seem to be the case anymore (with these shoes anyway).

Ran over the river and to Tigard HS and looped home, grabbed a Redbox movie and ran to McDonalds and back.  Lots of rain so I was soaked but it was 50 degrees so I was in shorts and a t-shirt.  It's a trade-off for sure.

Lunar (9) 

Turned out to be great weather today.  50 and no rain so I was in shorts and t-shirt.  The course was all over the place but basically hospital loop to the HS and loops around the cc course and home via Boones Ferry.  I considered going further (need to start going big on Saturdays) but the last couple days I've felt a little sick and didn't want to press my luck.

Boston (112)

Sick. 

Bummer.

Ryan's loop.  Feeling better, although the incisions from yesterday's doctor visit were bothersome.

Y2 (451)

Tigard HS loop plus business park addition.  Legs felt really good this morning as did the rest of my body.  I slept horribly last night though so I'm sure it's going to catch up with me later today.

C2 (111)

AM: 8 miles. I ran through the desperate housewives loop to Tualatin HS, used the bathroom @ the track and then home via Boones Ferry. Same story as as last time with these shoes: not so nice the first mile and then great after that.

Lunar (17)

PM: 10 miles on an out and back course. Basically Ryan's loop to 124th and then out to Highway 99 via Chipole Rd.  High point of the run was listening to the Dan Patrick podcast. Low point was nearly being attacked by a dog that was being walked by its 80+ year old owner.

I hate dogs.

Y2 (452)

AM: 7 miles.  Ryans loop plus Hedges Creek. My legs feel decent after yesterdays runs. It took them a little while to get loosened up but then they felt fine.  Planning on at least 3 more @ lunch.

Boston (117)

PM: 3 simple miles on the treadmill.  I despise the treadmill but it was raining and I wasn't in the mood to get wet, especially when I was planning on such a short distance.

Type A (234)

15 miles this morning in Medford.  The first 9 were with my Dad.  Great conversation and very enjoyable.  As always, I absolutely love running in Medford.  Looped back to the house and after a drink, 6 more miles for a bit of a tempo.  That was the idea anyway...  My legs were spent and it was painful.  Blah.  Oh well.  That happens, right?

C2 (126)

Very enjoyable run today.  I ran past Bridgeport Village and into Lake Oswego, then back across I-5 just south of the temple.  Then ran north through the business park to 217, then basically home via Ryans loop and 124th.

I found it interesting how my legs were so dead on Saturday and I couldn't push the pace how I would have liked but then today I had a hard time going slower than 7:00/mile pace.  I'll take it though--it's nice to have a little zip in your stride ever now and then.  Averaged 6:43 pace for the run.

Boston (132)

9 miles on the treadmill.  I got to my hotel in New Jersey about 5 pm and it was 35 degrees with 25 mph winds--not ideal running weather when you're in a new city with no idea of running routes. I decided to jump on the treadmill and survived by watching pti and sportscenter.  It was one of the nicest treadmills I've ever ran on but I'll still opt for the roads in the morning (provided the weather is bearable).

Lunar (26)

10.5 miles on a crisp New Jersey morning.  Ran from hotel to corporate office, then across to the mall and ran 2 laps, then returned the same route.  Not a bad start to the day.  Hopefully a few more tonight.

Cumulus (136)

5 more miles tonight after work.  I skipped the treadmill and went out on the roads.  Similar route as this morning but with much more traffic.  Not cool.

Lunar (31)

Miserable run.  Just miserable.  It was dark and cold as I ran from the hotel to corporate and the mall.  My guts weren't happy and I jumped into the first bathroom I could.  I'm sure Bloomingdales loved having a sweaty/smelly runner walking through the store.  Made one more lap and then had to jump into a Starbucks for the same issues as before.  On my last lap I was nearly hit by a car.  He didn't stop at a stop sign as I ran through the crosswalk and I had to leap out of his way before my right knee was kissed by his bumper.  I yelled not so nice words and chased after him but he ran the next stop sign and then was gone.  I was ticked...but really, what was I going to do?  I'm sure he wouldn't have been intimidated by a 140 lb runner from Oregon.  By then I'd had enough and called it a night a few miles short of my goal.

Cumulus (145)

Nothing this morning.  6 am wake up (3 am Pacific) and I won't get home unitl around 10 pm.  Long day.

Ryan's loop.  Long day yesterday and I just didn't feel like doing much.

Y2 (459)

Started out the morning with the Tigard HS loop (counterclockwise) but rather than turning @ McDonald's, I continued on Highway 99.  That took me over 217 and up a hill over I-5 and into Portland.  Turns out I was much farther north than I'd realized.  Needless to say my plan for 13-14 miles turned into 18 miles.  Good run.

Boston (150)

124th loop.  Awesome weather this morning as it was pushing 50 degrees at 5:30.  No rain or wind which was a pleasant change.

C2 (153) 

3 more miles tonight.

Y2 (462) 

Tigard HS loop, extended 1 mile.  Not much else to say.

Lunar (40) 

9 miles on a new route through Lake Oswego.  Minimal traffic with some rolling hills so I'll have to return and run it again in the near future.  Another great morning with regards to the weather and my body feels surprisingly fresh.  Nice.

C2 (162)

PM: 3 miles @ Hedges Creek

Opposite run from yesterday.  My legs feel trashed and I am paying for not stretching last night after Hedges Creek.  I just tried to loosen up my legs this morning so I'll feel somewhat decent for Saturday's run.

Y2 (465) 

124th loop, extended into Sherwood.  I started with a 4 mile warm up and then ran 3 x 2 mile tempo sections.  My legs still feel hammered from Thursday nights workout (Hedges Creek) so I wasn't sure how things would turn out.  I feel the need to start incorporating some speed work a couple times a week to work on leg turnover.

Averaged 6:58/mile for a warm up and then mile 5 and 6 was 5:43 & 5 :55.  I chewed on some Sport Beans and grabbed a drink @ Providence, ran mile 7 easy then hit a 5:27 and 5:42.  Mile 10 was slow (7:48) as I was starting to tighten up so I stretched a bit and then pushed through the last 2 miles.  Miles 11 and 12 were 5:43 and 5:13 to finish off the workout.

Pretty happy with how things turned out this morning.  Looking forward to doing this more often during the upcoming weeks.

Boston (163)

AM: Sleep

PM: Work

Result: No Run 

AM: Tigard HS loop.  Made it 9 miles by adding on a bit at the end.  Hoping for more but I slept through my alarm.  

Boston (159) 

PM: 9 miles through the Desperate Housewives loop, plus once around the Tualatin HS xc loop.

Lunar (49) 

10 miles this morning on 124th and Tigard HS loop. A little chilly this morning but nothing to complain about.

C2 (172)

AM: 8 miles on Tigard HS loop.

Boston (167)

PM: 2 miles @ Hedges Creek

8 painful miles. I need to visit a chiropractor.

Boston (175)

I just want to race.  

There's jack for Saturday races in Portland from October to March.  Surprising, I know.  You'd think there would be races every weekend in a place like this but not so, except for the random Sunday run.  Anyway, seeing how this was on Saturday and only 30 minutes from my house, I decided to brave the rain and race.  From to event website :

Very scenic  single and double track trails around the Willamette  Mission State Park. Mostly flat 6 mile loop course with portions along the river. Expect very muddy conditions and heck, you may hafta wade through some water too! Be prepared for tons of mud and standing water on the course! If you are concerned about getting a little wet or filthy, I would think twice about participating!  The course will be well marked with ribbon and  arrows. Dogs are always welcome. Awards for the Top 3 overall Male and Female Victims Finishers and first place age group winners! Random prizes will be given away from our fine sponsors.

Sounds like fun, right?  6 miles to warm up and then jumped into the race.  I followed the leader for about 2 minutes but didn't enjoy not seeing my footing so I took the lead a quarter mile in.  Lots of hairpin turns, puddles, muck, mud, logs to jump over (glad I ran steeplechase in college); basically just what you'd expect from a trail race in January in Oregon.

I wouldn't say it was fun but it was an experience to say the least.  I prefer the roads but can appreciate the trail as well.  It's a whole different type of race as you can't open up your stride and really 'race.'  I would have enjoyed it more if it hadn't been so darn muddy.  90% of the race it felt like I was slipping on banana peels.  It was like seeing a cartoon character when they don't move forward but their legs are spinning in circles beneath them.

Anywho, I was ready to be done about mile 5 but the 2nd place guy was catching up so I kept running.  Blah.  Not the best time but given the conditions....  The biggest disappointment was that I walked away feeling unfulfilled.  Racing to me is going 'all out' and I just couldn't do that on this course.  Oh well.  I guess there's always the Shamrock run in Medford in March.

6 more miles while waiting for awards/drawings.  They gave out 3 pairs of new shoes and I struck out each time.  Bummer.

C2 (184)

Y2 (472)