The Long Run

6.22 mi, 51:07, 8:13 avg

Out and back run from Foxwood, heading south down the new trail also informally know as the Lake Dan trail which you can see over to the east a little bit (you can get there too but not directly, need to run several miles to the preserve entrance, still haven't made it all the way to the actual lake yet).

Nice Friday run and start of the month of May, grateful to still be running and life for the most part being somewhat normal (at least the new normal).

5.21 mi, 43:46, 8:24 avg, elev gain 218 feet

Two loops and a little more added on to get over 5 miles inside Westlake Village.  Nice morning, still 73 degrees despite the slightly later start.

5.81 mi 46:23, 7:59 avg, elev gain 356 feet

Westlake Village up and down the street.  Actually, a couple of times up and down Pinewood Terrace (crossing Westlake Blvd) and then rest of the time was run south down Lakeview Drive then back north a few times.

Start time - 9:16 am

Weather - 73 degrees and sunny

4.61 mi, 39:06, 8:29 avg

Friday (Lake) Dan run from Foxwood down the new trail to just past Lake Dan.

Nice run, it's a peaceful stretch of trail even with the uptick in use.

15.2 mi, 2:12:13, 8:42 avg

I saw that I needed 14.5 miles to hit 40 for the week.   I had a terrible time sleeping again last night, mostly awake from 2:00 to 6:00, but instead of sleeping in got up early enough to drive to Longleaf and start running before 7:00.  I thought I'd be slow and sluggish, but after the first mile at 10:34, the rest were between 9:04 and 8:03.

Headed north up Starkey Blvd and into the park.  Dropped off my water bottle for the last 1.5 miles of the out portion, so 3 miles total with hands free.  Glad I went with the 17 oz bottle as there was no water in the coolers due to COVID (I had some back up plans in case I felt dangeroursly dehydrated but it was cool enough that 17oz was enough).

When I got back to the church, there were a few Striders who had met up for a socially distanced run.  I saw Clark who gave me a gatorade from the cooler which I was grateful for.  

This might be my longest run since the Long Haul 100 in January.

2.39 mi, 19:56, 8:20 avg

Was pretty tired this morning when I woke up and it was dark out (about to rain).  I went to bed before 12:00 but woke up about 1:45.  Jessica's kids were all up but she fell asleep in their room on the floor.  2:30 everyone had settled down but I couldn't fall asleep, moved some laundry, watched 15 minutes of tv then eventually fell back asleep.

Waited for the rain to stop and did just one loop around the neighborhood in Westlake and then ready to start the day.  Actually, had already started work, sat at the computer catching up while waiting for the rain to slow to a drizzle. 

7.35 mi, 1:00:39, 8:15 avg

Out and back run from Longleaf little church into Starkey Ranch and a little bit past Cannon Lake with a quick water stop there on the way back.  Steady pickup just looking now and then at the average pace.  First mile was 9:33 and last mile was 7:53.  It felt like it might get hot when I started out but the cloud cover held on and it was more or less pleasant.  I felt pretty good on this run.  My pace averages are slowing ticking up but I know I can't make progress like this forever.  At some point I'll have to switch to something more structured with easier easy runs and some harder runs.  But kind of enjoying this for now.

6.71 mi, 51:33, 7:41 avg, elev gain 258 feet

Did three loops in Westlake Village.  Was pushing the pace a little bit, not looking at the lap pace, just the average pace.  I've been putting all of my miles down as "easy" miles for simplicity but today that was harder to justify with pace of 7:06 and 6:47 for last 1.71 miles and the three miles before that between 7:22 and 7:40.  Weather was comfortable again.

Also, last few runs I've been wearing the Crocs LiteRide Pacer.  They are comfortable, a bit too roomy (size 10, I usually wear size 10.5 running shoe) but I've gotten used to them.

Had some of my usual problem with sleeping, after getting in bed, woke up at 1:50 and up for the most part until close to 7:00, then had a good hour of deep sleep from 7:00 to 8:00.

9.39 mi, 1:17:54, 8:18 avg, elev gain 269 feet

I had an idea.  After running the 2ish mile loop in Westlake Village I feel pretty warmed up possibly because of just the right variety of little ups and downs.  But, I wanted to run farther without doing a lot of loops.  So, one little loop first inside Westlake Village then the bigger loop where I go from Alderman, north on Belcher, left on Klosterman (up and over the Mt Everest of Klosterman), down the Pinellas Trail, quick stop for water in Conservation Park, then continue down the trail but exit just before going through the old train tunnel.  Run along Alt 19 for a little bit and then left through Eniswood and back to Alderman then back to the house.

Pace range was from 8:51 for the first mile to 8:00 for the last mile.  Kind of warmer today and a little bit humid but course was mostly shaded (ran in the counter clockwise direction for the big loop to get the stretch north on Belcher out of the way first because that does have some open sections).

4.32 mi, 36:48, 8:30 avg

Friday (Lake) Dan run.  Temperature is creeping up (didn't help that I started so late).  I must have looked like I was running with purpose as a few people asked what I was training for.  I usually only get a 'hi' here or there.  First mile 9:02, last mile 8:23.

2.27 mi, 22:35, 9:55 avg

The run that almost wasn't.  The morning got late.  Was trying to help Jessica scan something, failure.  Very unmotivated and almost did not run at all but convinced myself one loop was better than nothing, especially since I skipped yesterday's run - except for about two minutes of running during my walk which I decided not to count.

1 Westlake Village loop.

8.12  mi, 1:10:21, 8:40 avg

Ran from my house and headed over to the south section of the new trail, aka Lake Dan trail.  Thought this was going to be a hot one, but fortunately a couple minutes of very light rain helped out a lot.  On my way out I saw Joe on the return trip from his run heading north.  Chatted with him for 2 or 3 minutes before moving on.  

Ran onto Keystone section for a bit until I got to the road crossing where I turned back.

Had an ice pop from the garage freezer.  It might have been the last one.  Time to buy more for the summer.

7.0-6 mi, 56:37, 8:01 avg, elev gain  279 feet

3 loops in Westlake Village, running the approximately 2.3 mile loop and then added on just a little bit extra to get over 7 miles.  First mile was 9:06.  Starting out, there is a small uphill, then a slightly longer downhill, turn left and then go up a steeper hill longer than the first one which once I get to the top I feel more warmed up and seemed to pick up speed on the next flat section until finally going downhill again.

The last two miles were 7:44 and 7:20.  I felt pretty good at the end but was pushing a little bit (or so it felt as the morning was warming up quickly).

5.17 mi, 41:12, 7:58 avg

Friday (Lake) Dan run. First mile at 8:49 which is a good first mile for me, the warm up period is getting less cumbersome.  Late start again today and temperatures getting kind of warm but between the shade here and there and the breeze when heading south it was not too bad.

I could have used an ice pop after the run, need to buy some more.

12.41 mi, 1:45:22, 8:29 avg

Common story, later start than desired which is getting harder to get away with now with rising temperatures.  Ran up Starkey Blvd into the park.  Before I started, chatted with Scott and Tara who had just finished their runs.  I had visions of running 15-16 miles but as I thought about it I told them I was going to run 13 miles today.  Also saw Dan and Zeke tending the beehive which they were trying to get the bees from an inground hive to try and relocate.  This is their first bee project (only two stings between the two of them so far).

Shortly after starting out saw Tom coming back from his 20 mile run.  My first mile was 9:54 and I was able to soon move into the 8's.  Still kind of questioning doing 13 miles, but thought at least 10 miles.  When I was almost 5 miles into the run, figured I could at least do one more mile which brought me just past the solar system signs.

Last mile was 8:06.  It was a bit warm, but just kind of powered through it and held a steady pace.