The Long Run

Walked 4.25 miles in 1:07 around the outside of Westlake Village.

6.23@7:54

From Trinity Blvd trailhead southbound down Starkey Gap trail up to the point wher it crosses Keystone, then turned back.  Last mile just a fraction of a second under 7:00.

Did some weights after the run, set of squat, press, curl superset and other miscellaneous exercises.

19.02@9:51

Late morning run (start time 11:11),but cool enough morning and cloud cover.  Wore the camelback.  Started out at a walking pace then some run/walk, then more running so first mile at 11:25.   Was thinking slow pace today, maybe 12:00 average, time on feet.

But pace got faster (but never really that fast).  

Stopped at restroom behind Tarpon Tavern.  Kept going, trail turns right then crosses under US19 via an old train tunnel.  Zigzag back to Keystone until crossing over at Eastlake to get on the Starkey Gap trail.  Did the length of that trail going to SR54 at Starkey Blvd.  Stopped in at the Circle K for a muscle milk (should have carried it back but slammed it instead with two more miles to go).

Back southbound and then met Jessica at parking lot of Escape Brewery where I had one small but strong beer.  

It was a beautiful day for this run.

In the evening had dinner at Jessica's parents house (takeout Carraba's) with Jess, baby/toddler, her parents and S and A.

Walked 4.23 miles in 1:06 around outside perimeter of Westlake Village

7.4@8:42

Out and back from my house, southbound down Starkey Gap trail to Keystone then back the same way.

Walk 4.86 miles in 1:11

Similar route around outside of Westlake Village as usual with a small loop tacked on inside at the end, adding a little over an extra half mile to the usual.

5.63@7:42

A little bit quicker than usual, a couple of slightly different loops inside Westlake Village with last mile at 7:08

4.3 miles walking in 1:02, or 14:26

It was mostly walking with some random bouts of jogging here and there.  From Trinity Blvd trailhead, south down Starkey Gap and then back to my car.

10.11@8:53

From Westlake, over to the Pinellas Trail and then north to Klosterman for just enough to go out 5 miles.

Behind on back to back long runs.  Today is almost a long run, will do something over 20 miles tomorrow.

Part A - 16.91@10:47

Part B - 5.51@9:25

Broken up slightly into two parts because when I stopped to use the restroom, accidentally saved the run.

Part A was from Palm Harbor, north up Belcher, right onto Klosterman and then crossing over US19 (scariest part of the run), then north along the sidewalk with quick pit stop in Anderson Park before continuing on to Keystone Road.  Ran along Pinellas Trail until Eastlake Road, then took a left and then a right onto Trinity Blvd

Ran along the grassy shoulder to get some time off of the pavement.  Right hand turn into Fox Hollow area until reaching the Starkey Gap Trail, then headed northbound, crossing SR54 then stopped at the bike shop for a Celsius (it was grape!) and some shot blocks.  Then continued to Starkey Ranch.  Brief restroom break at Cannon Lake where I accidentally saved the run.

I had been running 7 minutes on and then one minute of walking up until this point.  Pace was slow and steady (faster than 100 mile pace, but maybe a good pace for 50 miles or 100k).

Part B was from Cannon Lake back to my house.  This part was faster with no running breaks, just easy running.  Glad I wasn't stuck in the slower pace after the slower running in the first part.

On the way back, stopped in the bike shop to grab a second Celsius (again grape).  But I had paid for it already so stop was much quicker.

After the run had a beer with Andy and Stella at Escape Brewery and then Jessica came and got me.  So, had some time hanging out with Andy, baby, Jessica, and Stella at one of my happy places.

Two Celsius were probably a bit to much caffeine, but oh well.

After this, had enough energy still for a trip to Busch Gardens (crazy crowded this time but still fun).

Walked 4.26 miles in  1:05, big square loop around outside of Westlake Village.

Was feeling pretty tired this morning so opted for walk instead of run this morning, felt better afteward.

5.22@8:21

Did not get under 9:00 for first mile and thought this run might be much slower than normal but steady pick up each mile with 5th mile at 7:39.

Saw Joe this morning when I was about a half mile into my run, he was heading back home but we stopped briefly to say hi.

AM  3.42@14:36 (49:58)

Mostly a walk but sprinkled in some jogging here and there.

Not quite the full big loop around the outside of  Westlake, but turned north up 18th street passed the Y to the golf cart cut through back to Westlake and finished up the loop, so this cut off a little under a mile vs doing the classic loop.

PM 3.25@10:38

Humpday hustle run with Striders at Longleaf.  I was a few minutes late and instead of usual route they were running through the neighborhood to look at the Christmas lights (and a few Hannukah decorations here and there).  I told Daisy that Jenny had a Buc-ees inflatable in her yard so we ran by her yard for a picture and NiKYO (her Belgian Malinois) came outside to pose for a picture with the group.

After the run had dinner at Leaning Tower. Jessica stopped by towards the end and dropped off some gifts at the "Toys for Tots" collection they were doing. 

5.67@7:54

Two loops of different sizes inside Westlake Village.  First mile under 9:00 (always a good start  for me).

A few strides for the last 0.25 at 5:46 pace, so a little bit of speedwork.

8.53@8:51

Northbound up Starkey Blvd and a little bit into the park.  Intended on this run being easy , nice and steady,  but ended up being a little bit too fast, but pace was pretty even after the first mile.  Pretty much no stopping at all.

Going to do a longer run tomorrow.

31.52@9:41

The big run.   Almost an annual tradition.  Last year it was on my birthday, this year a day earlier.  Both years it was on the day of the Strider's holiday party get together.  Started out from Longleaf and was running before 7:00 am (6:47).  Perfect morning, chilly and would not get much warmer.  A little bit into the run saw Tom heading down Starkey Blvd bike path, he'd already been running for well over an hour and at a much faster pace.

Continued on up into Starkey Park.  Took the long way around the loop to find the shelter where the party was since the usual one was not available.  Said hi to a few people, a few pictures, small cup of warm coffee and some treats then back onto the trail.

Back to main paved bike path and then left at the power line dirt road and north to Ridge Road.  Fortunately there's an opening in the fence (wasn't completely sure if there would be).  Headed east until reaching the Suncoast Trail and then north a few miles before turning off the path into a neighborhood and zig zagging my way to the RaceTrac gas station on 52.  Bought a muscle milk and Celsius.  Was also snacking on large PayDay bar I'd brought with me and put it in the front pouch of the Camelbak I was using for water.

Return trip was good.  No stop in the park like on the way up.  That extra loop at the start of the run meant I was already over 50k mark and still had a half mile to go.  I was good with walking it in.

Last year (and on a couple other years) I ran through the northern part of the Serenova Tract (harder to get to with Ridge Road in the way), there's always a schedule deer hunt around this weekend, so decided to avoid it.  Also wore an orange shirt on the run (just in case I got too close).

Other thing of note is this wsa first time using the Shokz open air headphones, much better for running, able to hear the music and my surroundings.

In the evening was the company Christmast party, first one since 2019.

Walked 4.61 miles in 1:10

Loop around outside of Westlake Village and then a little bit in and out of the park.

6.26@8:37

Out and back run down the Starkey Gap Trail then onto Keystone up to the point where it crosses the road where I turned back.

5.02@10:35

Ran with Joe and Cynthia.  Met near Escape Brewery.  Joe was a maybe (he's got a better than 50% chance of showing up when he's a maybe).

Hadn't run with Cynthia for a while and much longer since I got to run with both of them.  It was great catching up and also a nice and easy relaxed feeling run but not so slow it felt like a slog.

Feeling holiday pressure and getting ready for trip tomorrow with weather throwing in some uncertainty

3.68@13:59

Power walk (with a little jogging here and there) out and back on the Starkey Gap trail.

Flight in the afternoon to Rochester.  We almost didn't go due to travel concerns, but looking at the exact locations where we'd be, was pretty confident we'd be ok.

At Jim's house in Webster.  Morning started out drizzly and high 30's, and then exactly as forecast, turned to now at 9:45 am and temperature dropping under 30 and then dropped some more and then more snow fell.  Drove by Webster park and then over to Irondequoit Bay outlet to Lake Ontario.  Wind was really gusting.  Went to Bill Gray's which was nearby.  Kids had a snowball fight.  Stopped by Jim's house for some more layers and then found a hill in Webster Park for sledding.   Was there about an hour and a half.  Everyone had fun.  Baby got a little cold so I took her back to car to warm up a bit before heading back out for a little more.

Brian and Kelly made it back from Albany.  We all went out to eat at a place in Rochester called Szechuan Opera (was trying to get to Jine's next door but it closed just before we got there).

I spent part of day trying to figure out how we'd get to NYC.  5:45 am Saturday train was cancelled.  There was a Friday 2:00 pm train but before we could decide, that one sold out.  Then all Saturday trains were canceled.  Looks like we might be driving.

Drive from Rochester NY to Newark NJ.  Two trains cancelled and tried to book a flight which was canceled, so kept the rental car and drove.  Not sure what conditions we would hit, but roads were mostly clear, not busy and once we passed Scranton area, roads were even easier.  Dropped the car and was able to get an Uber direct to hotel.

Had a good time walking around, Bryant Park for hot chocolate, walk through times square and tried to go to Ellen's Stardust diner but line was long and we wanted to go inside, so Applebee's it was and of course I had to get the bourbon street steak.   Got a chocolate meltdown dessert to share which came with a rendition of happy birthday to the tune of "Land of a Thousand Dances".

Swung by Rockefeller Center to see the big tree and then Radio City Music Hall for the Christmas Show.

Travel back from NYC.  Uber ride from hotel to JFK was quick and easy, everyone was ready in the hotel lobby at pretty close to the time I had asked.   Flight was on time, travel not a problem, glad we had a direct flight.

Did gift exchange with the boys in the afternoon and then over to Jessica's parents house for holiday dinner (three celebrations in one day).

8.55@8:51

Ran from Westlake, cutting through golf cart path to the Y and over to the Pinellas Trail, southbound until just past the pedestrian bridge over Alt 19 but not quite all the way to Curlew.

Going to try and make up a little of the missed running.

11.51@9:17

Getting back on track.  Run from Longleaf area, north up Starkey Blvd, into Starkey Park and a little bit on dirt trails from horse corral and then back out to paved bike path with quick rest stop at bike parking area.

Turned around and back the same way.  Managed to run all miles between 9:00 and 10:00 pace.  First mile was 9:27, last mile 9:04.  There were a few miles where pace was at about 8:45 so I slowed down so pace for mile would be slower than 9:00. Trying to run steady.

AM - Walked (and a little jogging) 4.28 miles in 1 hour, 14:09 pace.  Tried some techniques that race walkers used with a better push off from toes

PM - 4.02@9:26  Humpday hustle run. No Daisy tonight but Evan was there as well as Bob Tiller who was running the last 4 miles of his Phillipides virtual challenge (327 miles since Oct 1).  I forgot to bring a running shirt and was wearing a long sleeve cotton shirt so ended up shirtless, a little bit chilly for that, maybe high 50's but not so terrible.

5.23@11:32

Started off with a walking pace and then was doing a 3/2 run/walk.  After warming up a bit walking pace got to 13-14 minute pace range.  On the way back saw Jamie by the Y who was going to pick up her kids.  I chatted with her for a bit and then ran the rest of the way home (about 3/4 of a mile) as I was trying to be back in time for Jessica to get to the body combat class.

10.12@8:18

Ran north up Starkey Blvd from the little church, into Starkey Park just far enough so I'd get 10 miles in total.

First half of run was evenly paced, second half was a steady pickup with last two miles at 7:48 and 7:33

Over 200 miles for the month and planning on getting in a longish run tomorrow.

Well, the longish run did not happen.  I spent a good part of the day in bed and then transferred to the couch feeling weak and cold.  Finally got hit with the stomach bug that Jess and baby had earlier this week.  Got up and went for a very short walk, maybe only about 2000 steps for the day.

Did end up feeling better by evening and stayed up just a couple minutes past 12 after watching New Years Eve stuff from NYC.