The Long Run

4.37 mi, 39:45, 9:06 avg

Just a short solo run around the neighborhood.  Started a little bit later than planned and didn't want to put off too long starting the rest of the day.

8.4 mi, 1:19:48, 9:30 avg

Ran a little over 7 miles (I'm guessing 7.2 miles) with Joe and Jamie.  Watch battery stopped I think about a half mile from my house showing 6.7 miles, so about 6.7 + 0.5

Stopped at the house and took Stella for a run.  Ran past the gate to Trinity Blvd, about 0.6 miles each way.

It was a pretty nice morning.

9.18 mi, 1:22:05, 8:56 avg

Ran with Joe and Jamie in the neighborhood.  Picked up Stella and ran her another 2 miles or so. Thought about trying for 10 miles but Stella was requiring some extra attention to keep her running, so was ok with just over 9 miles.

8.14 mi, 1:02:42, 7:42 avg

Ran at Longleaf with the Striders.  Plan was to do 5 mile tempo run at about 6:50 pace.  I warmed up for 1.75 miles, then started the tempo portion.  

I had a slight technical glitch.  My headlamp batteries were much more drained than I thought and it quickly quite altogether.   The section of the trail past the bridge is pretty dark so it kept slowing me down if I felt like I was running off of the path.  So, the first mile was a bit slower than planned but not a total wash. 

Splits: 7:13, 6:40, 6:35, 6:43, 6:37

So, despite the slower first mile, still managed to get under a 6:50 average for the tempo portion.

Today was my Mom's birthday, turning 77.   Met up with my Mom and Dad at Bonefilsh for dinner along with Thomas and Andy and Jesssica.  Fun night!

5.1 mi, 43:37, 8:33 avg

Ran about three miles by myself, then stopped back at home for Stella.  Did about 2 miles together with last mile a little bit faster at 7:44 avg - good for a dog mile

Chasco Main Street Mile

My first ever 1 mile race, and one of the very few competitive one mile races around.  My son Thomas also ran it.  Andy wasn't feeling well so he cheered us on.  The race starts some time after 12:00 and 15 minutes before the Chasco Festival Parade starts.  We were in a staging area at 12:00, then around 12:10 they announced they race would start at 12:30.

There were several local fast runners, both adult and high school age.  Before the race we walked to near the end with Andy where he picked out a spot to cheer us on.  Thomas and I jogged back to the start and then did some more warm up including some strides.

Race started right about 12:30.

Had to weave past the group of elementary school kids - they sure can run fast for the first 0.1 or so miles.

Thomas was quickly way ahead of me.  I soon settled into about a 5:45 pace and seemed to be holding it pretty steady until about 0.75 miles when I saw the pace start to slip a little bit but still kept it below 6:00 - was determined to break 6:00.

After the straight section on Grand Blvd, there is a loop around a small lake and then a right turn onto Main Street.  I somehow managed to pick up the pace as the finish arch came into sight.  I had gained a little bit of ground on Thomas but nowhere near being able to catch him.  The last I saw on the clock was 5:39 which surprised me.  Ended up with just barely over 5:43 (5:43.17).

Thomas made it in at 5:31 (just shy of his 1600m track PR of 5:25) and was 6th place overall.  The top 3 finishers were under 5:00 with winner at 4:34.

Race was a ton of fun and I couldn't be happier that despite giving it all I had, Thomas was able to easily beat me.