It ain't Chinese algebra!

Bush park in Salem.  This might be my favorite place to run in the state of Oregon.  The wood-chipped trail feels like running on a beds mattress.

Cumulus (496)  These shoes are done but I'll get 4 more miles in them just to show them who's boss.

Ran the Tigard HS loop, plus a little bit on the hills behind Fred Meyer.  Got pretty scared around mile 6 when my right hamstring knotted up after stopping at red light and then resuming my run.  I went about 1/4 mile and had to stop again so I stretched good and it went away.

New shoes.  Last time I used these I didn't like them until they had about 100 miles on them.  I didn't like today so hopefully they'll come around.

Boston (10)

9 miles after work.  Such a great run.  I wish they were all this way.  It was one of those runs when you get in a groove and it just feels so effortless, so easy, regardless of the pace.  Every muscle, tendon, ligament and joint feel 100% and you feel like you could run for hours.  Such a good feeling.  I wanted to extend the run based on how I felt but wanted to get home to my wife and son even more.  And the Civil War too ;)  Go Beavers!

Y2 (365)

Ryan's loop, extended a bit at the first.  These shoes are officially done.  It's been a good ride :)

Cumulus (503)

Cold this morning.  Ryan's loop to 124th then through the Sherwood hills to the YMCA.  8 miles out in 7:11/mile.  Stretched a bit and retied my shoes as they had been a little too loose and feeling sloppy. 

Only 6 miles back as I cut out Ryan's portion and followed the highway straight back to my house.  Sherwood hills are killer!  I guess that means I need to run them more so they don't hurt so bad.  Returned averaging 6:14/mile.

Boston (24)

Tigard HS loop this morning.  Very cold.  Wind chill made it 12 degrees and I'm just not ready for those types of temps.  Actually, the temps I don't mind but it's the wind that makes it miserable.  Was hoping for 12 miles but had to cut it short.  Maybe more tonight?  Not likely...

C2 (64)

Same routine as yesterday; 9 miles in the cold.  Again, was hoping for more but my alarm didn't go off.  I've got the bad habit of using my cell-phone as my alarm.  Occasionally the phone tries to connect to the internet during the night which disables the alarm.  I guess I should learn and start using my clock.

Anyway, cold again this morning.  Wind chill made it 10 degrees but I dressed better than yesterday so I was fine.  In fact, I used some gloves that got me through the winter in Cedar City.  First time I've used them in Oregon.  Does that mean I'm turning soft?

Y2 (374)

10 degrees this morning.  Ran the Tigard HS loop, plus 3 miles on the track.  It was nice to get away from the cold wind caused by traffic but the temps were noticeably cooler on the track due to the grass fields around it.

Boston (35)

Ran up Boones Ferry Rd, past the HS and east over the freeway to the "T."  Same route on the return with the addition of a loop around the HS XC course.  Cold yet again...

Y2 (382)

Same story as the past few days.  8 miles on the Tigard HS loop in 10 degrees.  No wind this morning so it wasn't too bad although my eyelashes froze together a couple times.

Boston (43)

PM- 5 miles tonight after work.  The weatherman is saying a chance of snow tonight so I thought I'd knock out some of the running tonight.  Thanks Andrea!

Y2 (387)

I like Saturday runs because less traffic on the roads and I have more time to discover new routes.  I ran up Boones Ferry to Burgerville and across the freeway into Lake Oswego.  I continued on that road across Kruse Way and up some major hills in Lake O for 5 miles in 38 minutes.  After stretching and catching my breath I turned around and made my way home via the same route in 34 minutes.  Looks like I climbed 500 feet with the last mile at a 5-6% grade incline.  Fun stuff.

Perfect weather.  No rain/snow like they had predicted.  Worst part of the run was having "12 Days of Christmas" stuck in my head and yet I could only remember the first 5 days so the monotony got old quick.

C2 (74)

Lots of rain makes for a wet, cold run.  I was drenched by the time I made it home.  Actually I was soaking wet one mile into the run.  I suppose after a while you can't get any more wet.  I ran the Desperate Housewives loop and Hospital loop.  Took it nice and easy the first 7 miles but by then I was cold and wanting to be done.  I picked up the pace and hit some decent splits coming home.  Average pace was 6:43/mile.

Boston (54)

Same story as yesterday.  Cold and wet.  Very wet.  I ran to 124th and then around the Tigard HS loop.  Same time as yesterday but 1 mile shorter as the pace never dropped below 7:00/mile.

Y2 (397)

Ryan's loop extended to 124th, plus Teton on my return.  Amazing weather for the middle of December.  45 degrees and no rain or wind.  What a refreshing change from the past week.

C2 (81)

Hospital loop this morning.  I'd wanted to go much further but I hit snooze at 5 and didn't wake up for another 60 minutes.  My body must have been telling me something.  I'll get a minimum of 10 tomorrow and then have a good Saturday to finish off the week.

Y2 (404)

8 miles this morning.  I'm so frustrated with my cell phone.  At some point during the night it tries connect to the internet and freezes which prevents the alarm from working.  Needless to say I overslept this morning and didn't have time to my full run.

Boston (62)

5 miles tonight on Ryan's loop.  Feeling good.

Y2 (409)

New route today that I'll run again, but only on Saturdays.  Traffic would be a nightmare on a weekday, I'd imagine.  I ran into Lake Oswego and took a right on Jean Way by the Starbucks.  The next 3-4 miles ran through residential neighborhoods and eventually climbed to the south lake lookout.  Downhill past the armory and into downtown Lake Oswego.

Rather than turn around I continued on in a loop to the high school and around past Providence and home via Boones Ferry Rd.  It was15 miles on the dot so I added 1 more by running to Tualatin/Sherwood Highway and back.

Pretty happy with the run.  Lots of hills and long climbs and the views were fantastic.  Longest run since.....June? 

C2 (96) 

AM- Tigard HS loop, extended  through the Tigard business park (Sweet Tomatoes, Burgerville area) and then at the end as well (Hagens).  It rained throughout and I was soaked by the end but the temps were in the mid-40's and I was in a short sleeve shirt, shorts and no gloves.  I'm learning to love December in Portland.  I'm also learning to enjoy the rain.  I'll take it any day over Cedar City days of snow, wind and freezing temps.

Boston (76)

PM- 5 miles on Ryans's loop.  It was an awesome day.  My sister's friend hooked me up with a guest pass to the Nike Employee Store in Beaverton.  Wall-to-wall Nike gear priced just above cost.  I'm an Asics and Adidas guy but there are a few Nike shoes I've wanted to try andI'm more than happy to try out a $100 pair that only cost $50.

Y2 (414)

Hospital loop extended on Avery to Tualatin/Sherwood Highway.  Ran on Teton and Ryan's loop to get home.  Decent run and my legs feel fine after yesterday's double.  A little chilly but not enough to wear long pants.  Shorts in December--I'm loving it.

C2 (72)

Decent run tonight after work.  Ran to Tualatin HS and did loops around the xc course, plus 1 mile on the track, then home.  Stomach was still full from lunch at Panera Bread and that made things a little uncomfortable but I managed.

Y2 (424)

Very enjoyable run this morning.  Very little traffic due to the (soon to be) holiday so I ventured out onto a country road with zero shoulder, something I wouldn't do on a normal weekday.  First I ran around the hospital loop and then ran south over the belt route and continued until I came out just behind Tualatin HS.  The rolling hills were a nice change from my usual routine.

Looped around through the Desperate Housewives neighborhood and then finished with Ryan's loop.  First 3-4 miles were a little slow to get going and then things flowed nicely.  I threw in 1 tempo mile (13) on the flattest/straightest portion and was able to hit 5:08 which was a pleasant surprise.

Hopefully I can still manage some decent miles over the next couple days with family and travel part of the mix.

C2 (86)

I had the roads all to myself, which is to be expected at 5:45 on Christmas morning.  Ran in 1 straight line north through the industrial section (past Sweet Tomatoes), across 217 and to Winco.  It was nice to run without traffic for 10 miles but it was a little creepy after a while.  Portland as never felt like so much of a ghost town.

Merry Christmas!

Boston (86)

6 miles tonight after getting home from our trip. I wasn't able to run this morning so I laced up my shoes about 5:00. It was cold and I was under dressed so the first couple miles were miserable and I was going to call it a day. Stuck it out for 6 miles which is better than nothing, I guess.

Y2 (430)

Cold.

Boston (97)

PM- 2 more miles tonight in the snow.  Portland got about 4 inches from 3 to 6 pm and I couldn't resist going for a quick jog.  First time I've ran in snow since living in Cedar (I think)?  I don't miss it.

Much of the snow had melted overnight but today's run was still very wet.  Lots of puddles and the snow that was still around was very slushy.  I ran 6 miles through Hedges Creek to Tualatin HS.  3 miles at tempo pace on the track (5:50, 5:51, 5:47) and then 3 miles home.

C2 (98)

Tigard HS loop with an extension through the business park and to the east side of the freeway.  Pretty much a continual drizzle the entire time.  Glad I wore my vest and had gloves.  My left foot was feeling a little off last night and this morning pre-run.  Had me pretty worried that my injury was creeping back but I felt fine during the run and now after.  Hopefully it's nothing.

Y2 (442)

Year in Review 

2009 was okay.  It felt like I ran a lot.  My wife would say too much.  That's what it's all about--finding a balance.  To race well you have to put in the miles and I want to race while I still have some speed in my legs.  But family comes first so we'll see what 2010 brings.

I ran my most miles ever in a week (90 twice), month (339), and year (2497) but only raced 5 times.  Uh...that's not enough.  Part of that was due to focusing so much on the Eugene Marathon but the injury that sidelined me for 2 months, a new job and move to Portland didn't help either.  Best race of the year was the Pear Blossom 10 Miler in April when I averaged 5:12/mile for 10 miles.  I wish I could have found a half marathon around that time so I could have had a shot a lowering my pr to sub 1:10.  Just 1 marathon this year (Eugene) where I placed in the top 10 although the time was slower than I had hopped.  Biggest disappointment was the injury to my left foot.  Still not sure if it was a bone spur or a stress fracture but the 2 months off seems to have healed it.  2nd biggest disappointment was not being able to run the Portland Marathon as a result of the foot troubles.  Next year!

Eh.  That's it. I need to race more in 2010.