The Long Run

Easy feeling run through the neighborhood, past the golf course, then down Trinity Blvd and back home. Cool 50's, very pleasant.

Good to be back home after a couple of days up in the great white north.

Chilly morning run which felt great once warmed up. Slept in a little bit and started in the park. Ran with various people such as Dan French, Marcia, and David J for last 8 miles.

33 1/3 miles on trails tomorrow!

Ran the "Long Play 33 1/3" race this morning, chilly low 40's starting just as it was light. It was a single loop course starting from Lake Townsend Park, running past Tucker Hill and out and back to Silver Lake.

As we were approaching Tucker Hill, we ran past a controlled burn site, with a log almost on the trail which was still on fire, then another log laying across the trail which wasn't on fire but was smoldering on one end.  Made it sort of an adventure run.  I at least pretended that I had to jump over the fire, even though I didn't really have to.

I had warmed up and decided to drop off my long sleeve shirt at Tucker Hill where there was an aid station.  I lost some time deciding what to do.  Got going again with just my short sleeve shirt, but still had the hat and gloves.  I never was too cold but didn't really ever feel warm after that.

At about 15 miles, the trail came out to a road, and there were orange flags in the ground in a way that was somewhat obvious that we were supposed to turn right.  But, I wasn't completely sure, and when I looked back I saw a sign that said "Race" with an arrow on it pointing in a different direction.  I called out to a guy just ahead of me and I may have had him almost convinced to go the wrong way when I decided that he was in deed correct.  I caught up to him and apologized.  His name was Richard and was a super nice guy.  We ran together off and on (leap frogging) until about mile 27.

There was about two miles of trail which had been dug up by feral pigs resulting in small hardened craters, very difficult to run on as well as exposed roots like vines. Other than that the course was very nice to run on as well as having spectacular scenery.

After the last aid station at mile 26.5 (actually there was one more unmanned aid station 2.5 miles from the finish) I was ready to be done and kept on a good pace - except for a couple of places.  At one point there are two pits you have to run through, these were old open pit mines of some sort (and one of them was supposedly used by Ted Bundy to bury a victim).  The normal trail goes around them but I saw that for the race, the orange flags led the trail right through them.  It was tempting to go around, and no one would have known - except for me!

Just after the pits I saw someone (I think a race volunteer) who said I was in 6th place, and then not too long after that I saw my friend Patrick walking up a hill.  I had seen him back in the low 20's, right before I had gotten to a turn around.  He was about 5 minutes ahead of me then.  I said hi to me, he told me I was looking strong and to keep going.

The trail came out to a fire road, which I turned right on.  But, after a little while I saw some orange flags on trees going off the road.  I stopped and looked, wondering if I was supposed to turn, I even went out to one of the flags, and judging by the lack of any signs of foot traffic having gone through here decided to get back on the road.

Finally, it was looking more and more familiar and I was tracing the route of the beginning part of the race, and was soon back at the finish.

The race director warned us that the course would not be exactly 33 1/3, but it was all good.

For the finisher's award I picked out a record which had a "Long Play Finisher Award" sticker on it. I picked out "Disraeli Gears" by Cream
Was freezing after I stopped running, had to borrow a jacket from the RD so I could eat.

Splits:

Miles 1 - 6: 9:11, 8:56, 9:12, 9:21, 9:24, 9:39,

Mile 7. 11:15 - Tucker Hill, left my shirt behind (gone when I went back for it :(    )

Mile 8:  9:16

Mile 9: 10:11, - slowed down going through a tight ravine

Miles 10-14: 9:09, 8:52, 8:38, 8:23, 8:29,

Mile 15: 11:04 - I almost took a wrong turn here until I was convinced the right way to go

Mile 16: 9:03,

Miles 17-18: 9:48, 10:01 - slow through pig craters and roots

Miles 19-24: 8:40, 8:49, 9:08 , 8:39, 9:01, 9:45,

Miles 25-27: 11:27, 10:41, 10:47 (back through pig craters and roots, but longer??)

Mile 28: 10:21  (I sped up but had lost some time at aid station)

Mile 29: 8:47  (Moving faster!!)

Mile 30: 10:11 (Pits)

Miles 31-34.2: 9:03, 9:32 (almost lost again here), 8:22, 8:00, 0.23@8:36

I was trying to meet up with Lisa but was a little bit late. Could have caught her if I ran the loop towards her house. Eventually caught up at the water stop and ran with her and Tori. I forgot to stop my watch when I stopped. Good recovery pace today, legs are pretty close to be back to normal after Sunday's race.

The howling wind made me not want to run. Oh, just get out there, don't be such a baby I thought to myself. Still partially in recovery mode.

Much faster run today than the last two days. I tucked in behind a group for a good part of the wind until I was warmed up, then did the last three miles under 8:00 pace. Felt great at the end.

Cold but not windy. Appreciating one of the last days before time change darkness. Neighborhood route with some time on Trinity Blvd.

5:30 start at Longleaf this morning, by myself, but I knew that Craig and Diane would be home, so just a short 3.5 miles by myself. Ran with them into Starkey and also joined by Greg. I ran with Greg and Diane to the water stop just past the power lines, then I turned back, taking a left onto the dirt road and then the trail to the horse corral and back down Starkey Blvd. Picked it up a little for the last few miles but legs were a little tired this morning. Nice treat at the end to run into Nelson, Keith and Eric at Havana Dreamers for a quick cup of coffee.

Just taking it easy. Last week's colder temps have changed back to cool. Was feeling a little slow this morning but didn't want to push it.

Met up at the Y with the Striders but was there a little bit late. Started raining at the beginning of the run but the temperature was good. Took it easy.

Shorter run this morning. Tried out new headlight while running on the grassy shoulder.

Nice run this morning. Ran with the group at Longleaf.  Not too slow start, some good middle miles and two sub 7 miles at the end. Felt like a return of energy that had been missing earlier this week.

Just an easy paced out and back run with some practice running on uneven ground in the dark.  Purposely shorter since I am going to run with Lisa this evening for about 5 miles. (nimbus)

Evening run - 5.17 mi, 00:45, 08:40 pace

I left my house at 5:10 instead of driving to Longleaf. Ran to Diane's house where I met up with her, Jorge, and Craig then we all ran into the park. I split off onto the unpaved trails. Those miles, especially the dark ones were extra slow but I was trying to be careful. Definitely need more dark trail practice. Ran into Jorge and Diane as they were running out of the park. My legs were pretty tired today.

I was supposed to be running in the North Georgia mountains this morning in the Georgia Death Race but decided not to go mainly due to things going on at work.  With the schedule already very tight there would be no room to take an extra day off if something happened.  It was probably the right choice.

This run started out as a very tough one. I couldn't get my legs moving very fast at all. I ran in the dark practicing running on the dirt and grass and getting used to wearing the petzl light that Jenny loaned me. First 3 miles were about 11:30 pace. My legs finally warmed up, miles 8-11 were mid 8:30's with mile 12 at 7:55.

Wore new shoes today, Pearl Izumi Peak ii, my first ever trail shoes, they felt pretty good on the pavement as well.

Ran with the Striders at 5:30, then ran with Lisa for another 6.6.

It was raining w a little bit of lightning so I delayed my run slightly. Out the neighborhood and directly onto Trinity Blvd, out, then back to water stop, back out again, then home.

Ran for a bit with Marcia and Scott, then ran with Beka, Melanie, and Andrea until they turned back then the rest by myself. Pretty even running except for the last three miles where I picked it up to 7:15, 6:55, 7:05.

It was great 53 degree weather and realized how much I like the Green Silence. Too bad they stopped making them. I should get another $39 pair on clearance before they are all gone.

Easy paced run through the neighborhood and out and back onto Trinity Blvd. Felt good once warmed up and enjoyed a nice morning.

Easy paced average, although it didn't all feel easy. Started off by myself and ran to Diane's house where I was her only guest for the morning. We ran into Starkey, said hi to a small group of runners that were there, ran in another 3 miles. Ran back to the entrance of her neighborhood then continued on back to Longleaf. It felt really humid until the sun came up, then it was wonderful. Saw several deer in the park today.

Too cold to run outside, ran on treadmill with a very tough feeling start, but convinced myself to go at least 40 minutes, then went a little longer.

Felt like forever since I last ran. Tues and Wed I couldn't run on the treadmill since it was locked off until 7:30, Thu was 6:00am flight and travel all day, Fri and Sat were Miami trip w the boys. I could have fit another run in on one of those days but it's been a while since I've had a real cut back. This morning's run did not feel easy but it was nice to finally get out and run.

Happy Easter!