The Long Run

2.39 mi, 19:56, 8:20 avg

Was pretty tired this morning when I woke up and it was dark out (about to rain).  I went to bed before 12:00 but woke up about 1:45.  Jessica's kids were all up but she fell asleep in their room on the floor.  2:30 everyone had settled down but I couldn't fall asleep, moved some laundry, watched 15 minutes of tv then eventually fell back asleep.

Waited for the rain to stop and did just one loop around the neighborhood in Westlake and then ready to start the day.  Actually, had already started work, sat at the computer catching up while waiting for the rain to slow to a drizzle. 

7.35 mi, 1:00:39, 8:15 avg

Out and back run from Longleaf little church into Starkey Ranch and a little bit past Cannon Lake with a quick water stop there on the way back.  Steady pickup just looking now and then at the average pace.  First mile was 9:33 and last mile was 7:53.  It felt like it might get hot when I started out but the cloud cover held on and it was more or less pleasant.  I felt pretty good on this run.  My pace averages are slowing ticking up but I know I can't make progress like this forever.  At some point I'll have to switch to something more structured with easier easy runs and some harder runs.  But kind of enjoying this for now.

6.71 mi, 51:33, 7:41 avg, elev gain 258 feet

Did three loops in Westlake Village.  Was pushing the pace a little bit, not looking at the lap pace, just the average pace.  I've been putting all of my miles down as "easy" miles for simplicity but today that was harder to justify with pace of 7:06 and 6:47 for last 1.71 miles and the three miles before that between 7:22 and 7:40.  Weather was comfortable again.

Also, last few runs I've been wearing the Crocs LiteRide Pacer.  They are comfortable, a bit too roomy (size 10, I usually wear size 10.5 running shoe) but I've gotten used to them.

Had some of my usual problem with sleeping, after getting in bed, woke up at 1:50 and up for the most part until close to 7:00, then had a good hour of deep sleep from 7:00 to 8:00.

9.39 mi, 1:17:54, 8:18 avg, elev gain 269 feet

I had an idea.  After running the 2ish mile loop in Westlake Village I feel pretty warmed up possibly because of just the right variety of little ups and downs.  But, I wanted to run farther without doing a lot of loops.  So, one little loop first inside Westlake Village then the bigger loop where I go from Alderman, north on Belcher, left on Klosterman (up and over the Mt Everest of Klosterman), down the Pinellas Trail, quick stop for water in Conservation Park, then continue down the trail but exit just before going through the old train tunnel.  Run along Alt 19 for a little bit and then left through Eniswood and back to Alderman then back to the house.

Pace range was from 8:51 for the first mile to 8:00 for the last mile.  Kind of warmer today and a little bit humid but course was mostly shaded (ran in the counter clockwise direction for the big loop to get the stretch north on Belcher out of the way first because that does have some open sections).

4.32 mi, 36:48, 8:30 avg

Friday (Lake) Dan run.  Temperature is creeping up (didn't help that I started so late).  I must have looked like I was running with purpose as a few people asked what I was training for.  I usually only get a 'hi' here or there.  First mile 9:02, last mile 8:23.