The Long Run

12.54 mi, 1:54:02, 9:05 avg  (wore older Brooks pureflow)

Ran with Jamie and Cynthia in Starkey Park.  Cynthia missed her run and Jamie is trying to get caught up.  Warmish at the start but on the way back the wind picked up and then the skies darkened but the bulk of the storm had already passed through south of here.  I had half an idea to run the Clearwater Marathon or 50K this morning but due to weather and potentially worsening weather (e.g. tornado possibilities) the longer races were canceled and all runners were made to turn around at the half marathon turnaround.

Park was pretty quiet, saw a few other runners, a number of cyclists, including Jason who slowed down and rode along with us for a little bit to say hi, and one 6-point buck.

8.08 mi, 1:07:48, 8:23 avg

It was cold out this morning, not that cold actually but a little bit of headwind and starting out alone in the dark made it feel colder.  I was a couple minutes late for 5:30 start at Longleaf and there ended up not being many people there.  First mile felt slow but it at least it didn't feel difficult.  I hung in there and knew I'd warm up and knew I'd feel better soon.  Saw a couple of Strider friends at the water stop, continued on to the end of Diane's street before heading back.  With a couple of miles left to go I could hear a couple of runners coming up quickly behind me.  It was Mike and Jolene moving along at a good pace.  Said hi to them and then picked it up a little and then a lot following them.  Thought I'd do one faster mile at least but ended up doing two.

From start to finish the pace range was pretty wide: 10:27, 9:02, 8:32, 8:17, 8:12, 8:05, 7:23, 7:06

5.46 mi, 45:39, 8:22 avg

I was starting to think there would be no freezes this winter.  Chilly 30's this morning.  I didn't see any frost but I think there was some in the area.   Up late last night for work and not in a hurry to get out of bed but finally did get going.  Overdressed with long sleeve shirt and short sleeve underneath and also a hat.  Long sleeve was the MCM shirt which has a turtle neck.  Took long sleeve shirt off half way into the run and felt chilly but not cold - perfect.  Run got faster as I went on.  Ran in the nbhd and near the golf course.

10.05 mi, 1:22:09, 8:11 avg

Nice running weather.  Did a big loop from my house to 54, then onto the hospital access road, to Little Rd, down to the Y for a water and gel stop, then home via Kinsmere, Trinity Blvd and golf course.  The run was basically a steady pick up with first mile at 9:37 and last two 7:12 and 7:10

4.08 mi, 35:50, 8:47

Ran in the neighborhood.  Slow in getting out of bed and sneaking in between rain.  Pretty good run by the end, just a little bit short.

21.21 mi, 2:58:39, 8:25 avg

Ran in Starkey Park with Cynthia for a little over 8 miles.  It was chilly, windy, and a little rainy here and there.  Stopped by for Striders picture, ate one donut hole and had a half cup of coffee  but I knew I needed more than 8 miles.  Maybe 14 miles? or 15 - go out three or so and then come back.  Average pace for first part of the run was 8:44.

Got going again before I got too cold and felt pretty good.  The Pasco Challenge 5k/10k/half races were going on so I saw runners coming and going both ways.  I kept on going a little bit further until I was close to the end of the Starkey bike trail and finally turned around.  I stopped and tried to help a cyclist with her flat tire but didn't have much luck and she said her friend would be by in a few minutes.

I kept the pace steady with a slight progression so finished up last two miles in the 7:40's and thankful to myself that I actually went back out for the second half of the run.  Didn't try to overdo it with the pace because planning on running tomorrow for at least 10 miles.