The Long Run

Monday morning run around the neighborhood and past the golf course.

Warmer but still cool this morning. Gel flavor today: green apple

Ran at the Y with the Striders group.

Easy warm up then decided to do 4 x 1k repeats. First one was slower and felt the hardest so wasn't sure if it was going to work out, but the next three were a bit better, the fourth one felt great but I was foiled by the 6:30 bus again,

paces: 6:14,5:48,5:49,5:52

Then, ran a little bit farther for the cool down.

Wore new shoes today: Brooks ST5

Stood in picture with Mike S. to celebrate 1000 miles. He had a disclaimer that it might not be a big deal to some people. But it IS a big deal! He has transformed himself from where he started.

Ran at Longleaf this morning, 5:30.

Since I wasn't going long and I have a race tomorrow, I drove into the park and got started about 6:45ish. Ran with Jamie, Jamie, Mike and a couple of other people. It was foggy and cool out, great relaxing run. The big group wasn't there due to tomorrow's race.

I stopped for coffee on the way home, then ran some errands.

When I got back home someone had posted on Facebook that I was picked for Western States 100. I couldn't believe it. Had trouble getting through to the website but someone sent me a link to the lottery drawing and I saw them pick my name. I've got some training to do now :)

Holiday Halfathon race in Madeira Beach this morning.

A little bit warm but not too bad. I wasn't sure how it would turn out for a few reasons - I have often done worse than expected on this course, I should have picked the grilled fish with a side of potatoes instead of lobsters pasta (alfredo sauce), I should have gotten more sleep.  Regardless, I knew that anything was possible.

Started out at what I thought was a reasonable pace (a few seconds slower than goal pace), then backed it down a little. Stayed pretty even and was happy to get a little faster at mile 9 when I passed a few people who I had kept in my sight.  A woman named Terri was running, she pretty much usually finishes way ahead of me.

I also had reviewed my notes and the splits from the last time I ran this race and was at least mentally prepared for the sections which gave me trouble.  So, when I got to those sections, instead of trying to do whatever it took to get down to goal pace, I just tried to beat my pace from last time for that section.  I also noticed that the people I was running near were slowing down at the same time as me, more or less.

I'm not sure why, but was able to break out of my rut of slower and slower miles.  I finally passed Terri and also finally stayed ahead of another woman who kept on passing me shortly after I would pass her.

Eudair paced me for about a mile towards the end which really helped.   After she let me go, I wasn't quite able to hold onto the faster pace.  There was a guy in front of me who knew I was closing in on him so he kept ahead of me.  With the final mile on a packed dirt trail I was really glad about the off road running I had done, because this section used to scare me - but not anymore!

It wasn't a PR but it was my best time so far for this course.

Splits: 6:31, 6:33, 6:44, 6:39, 6:39, 6:47, 6:49, 6:51, 6:36, 6:48, 6:41,6:34,6:41,0.14@6:06

Nice to see a lot of friends today. Great job from Elizabeth singing the national anthem and then running.

Slight motivation problem this morning, so was a little bit short on time. Warm and humid but got the job done for the most part. It's ok, I'm sure there were others in the same boat this morning.

Much cooler this morning, nice!

Ran most of the run easy, especially the first half. Spent time running while chatting with Mike, Jammie, and then Michelle. For a mini speed work session I did 3x400m and 1x800m to practice 6:00 and below pace, then finished up with a short cool down distance.

Cool out this morning, started out slow. Felt pretty good.

Taking it easy today on purpose for tomorrow's race.

Felt good and had great running weather.

Day before birthday!

Not too much else to say about this run since I am now backfilling once again :(

Surprisingly warm and humid this morning. Ran at the Y and did the usual warm up. Was on the fence about doing intervals, but then decided why not (because it was my birthday and wanted to see if I had gotten any slower). First one was slower but I was still warming up, next three were good. 4x1k paces: 6:21,5:53,5:55,5:55

Back to cool weather this morning, nice. Usual slow easy first mile, a little faster after that. Did the t-route with an extra out and back down Trinity Blvd for some off pavement running.

Ran mostly easy today. Spent a little bit of time being the headlight for Michelle and Charly while on the bike path. Ran inside Aristide a bit before turning back and did the second to last mile fast (6:17). So, no big tempo run today but a nice balance of distance, speed, and being social.

It sounded like it was raining this morning so I stayed in bed a little longer, but it was only the wind. Dressed a little warmer, just right. Did a little extra up and down Trinity Blvd.

5:30 start from Longleaf with Dixie. We missed the big groups so it was just us. Quick stop at Diane's house then into the park. I don't think I felt warm today until about mile 14. We ran along the power line trail on an out and back total of 8 miles, then finished up the last two on the pavement. I had forgotten how hard 20's were!

Fun Christmas Eve morning run. Surprised at how many people turned up, most wearing red and/or green. I got there a little early for 2.5 mile then ran 6 miles with Jamie, Cynthia, and Heather.

Cool, sunny, peaceful and a little bit of breeze. Contemplative and rejuvenating Christmas morning run from my house to 54, up Starkey Blvd. and then back home.

It was a good way to spend some time which might have gone to waste otherwise.

Made Christmas dinner in the evening for my parents and the boys, my first time doing so.  Had lobster tails, filet mignon for the boys and I and portabellas for my parents, grilled asparagus, roasted potatoes with rosemary.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas today.

Breezy and pleasant run, mainly did the t-route by the golf course.

Chilly early run with Striders, 5:30 at Longleaf.  I trailed way behind the big group for most of the run. Tried to do a fast mile after 3 mile warm up but could not go under 7:00. On the way back I did manage 2 6:30ish miles. Felt a little bit clunky while running except toward the end.

Had to turn around for hat and gloves, then got going again and was ok. Usual neighborhood and golf course route with some added along Trinity Blvd shoulder.

Started running at 5:30 from Longleaf with Dixie, Eudair, and Cynthia. Start of run was threatening rain with oppressive humidity (yesterday morning 39 degrees, this morning 72)

Ran to Diane's house where Eudair and Cynthia turned back, but we picked up Renee and Diane for the run into Starkey.

Ran with Dixie for a couple more miles once inside the park before he turned around. I went out to the 5.5 mile stop then turned back.

On the way back, rain came down hard a few times but stopped toward the end. Plan was to pick up the last three at half marathon pace. Wasn't quite there but did what I could today - 6:56, 6:58, 6:44.

Got a ride back to Longleaf with Keith.

Enjoyed some coffee and a guava turnover at Havana Dreamers with Keith, Ed, Renee, Greg, and Jammie, and Jorge.