The Long Run

Originally I was going to meet Dixie, but it was raining pretty heavily at 5:15, so I went back to sleep until 5:45, at which time the rain had mostly stopped.  But since I was late and it was still raining a bit, I went to the Y instead and ran on the treadmill.

Average pace: 7:48

After the run I did some upper body work at home.

P.M. - I was going to stop at the Y on the way home from work for another 4 miles but forgot my running stuff, so I went home first, had dinner and then went to the other Y.

Average pace: 8:15

My legs felt tired almost from the start and it was windy out.  I started out with Jenny and we ran about 4 miles together before I headed over to a different neighborhood.  Fortunately, there was enough shelter from the wind that it wasn't too bad for most of the way.  Slogged through the miles but was very glad to have finished.

Average pace: 8:29

Easy run with Jenny and Jamie, Jenny was going much longer, so I turned around early, much nicer than doing 15!

Dressed warm with long pants and two shirts, would have gotten too hot that way if going a lot longer but it was perfect for the distance I was doing.

But, overall, I'd say I felt really good.

Average pace: 9:04

It felt really warm when I started out this morning.  I started just after 5:00 and ran about 2.3 miles to get over to Longleaf to go meet up with the Striders.  I got there just as they were starting out.  I was going to meet Dixie there but didn't see him.  

I felt so warm that I took off my shirt, but about 2 minutes after starting out again the rain started, along with some wind and I suddenly felt cold.  Grabbed my shirt while passing by the starting area before heading north up Starkey Blvd.  Felt much better.  Ran up to the Aristida neighborhood.  Heard Dixie say hi to me as I was still running up.  I couldn't see him because it was still kind of dark out.  Once I turned around the wind hit me pretty hard and along with the rain and dark my pace slowed down a bit.

Stopped by the Strider starting area to grab my water bottle and ipod.  David was putting things away and was talking to one of the other runners who offered me a ride home.  It was tempting but I still had about two and a half miles I needed to run.  So, I got going and finished the run, just as it was getting light and the rain was stopping.

Finally made it home!

Average pace: 8:31

Did my upper body workout and made sure not to skimp on stretching afterward.

Had the luxury of not starting my run until 6:30 this morning!  Started out with Jenny and a bunch of her friends and ran about 5 miles with them before heading off back towards the house.  Finished up with 6x100m strides at the end.

Average pace: 9:01

Headed over to Starkey Park this morning with the whole family.  Chilly when we got there with a breeze.  Warm up (0.3), then ran with Andy (about 8:20 pace) in the Hero 5K, a benefit run for a local marine going through rehab after losing his legs in the war.  Jenny's friend Kathryn along with the football group she is involved with put together this race.  Kathryn did a tremendous job spearheading this effort, especially since this was her first ever 5K that she put together.  There were about 200 runners.   There was a color guard and a stirring national anthem at the start.  They had a webcam set up so that Justin, the 22 year old marine, could watch the start of the race and the finish.

Between the pasta dinner last night and the race today, Kathryn was able to raise a sizable amount of money for an individual and his family going through a very tough time right now, having nearly sacrificed everything for his country.  Well done Kathryn, you are an inspiration!

After the race, ran 12 miles at marathon goal pace - targeted 7:00-7:10.  First mile was slow, and I was feeling a little bit discouraged, especially with the head wind.  I felt like I was putting in too much effort early on but falling short of the pace that I wanted.  But, I knew the wind would be my friend after the turn around, the next 3 miles were under 7:10, then the 5th and 6th miles were under 7:00.    During the 7th mile I took a gel and grabbed some water but did not stop my watch so that one was 7:09.  Kept the rest under 7:00.  Ended up with an average pace of 6:57 l for the 12 miles, short cool down afterward.

 Some of my runs (maybe a lot of them), had been feeling kind of flat recently, so it was good to see that I could dig down today and do the job.

Average pace: 7:21