The Long Run

13.03 mi, 1:58:24, 9:05 avg

5:45 start from Longleaf with Joe, Cynthia, and Renee.  Joe and Renee were bonuses since Joe ran yesterday but decided to run again and Renee was planning on running yesterday but missed it.  We talked about 10-13 mile range.  Ran to Starkey Park and a couple miles into it before turning around.  I was dragging again at the start and whenever everyone else went faster I felt like I couldn't do it but soon after it would feel easier.  Last mile at 7:31.

Still not the fastest run but a big difference from yesterday.

7.75 mi, 1:02:44, 8:05 avg

Ran with the Striders at the Y.  A few degrees warmer this morning so I decided I'd postpone any type of interval work.  I did pick it up after three miles to end up with a pretty good average pace and lots and lots of sweat.

3.6 mi, 33:50, 9:24 avg

I had trouble getting up early, then it started getting dark and then the rain started, coming down in buckets.  I contemplated "doing the run later" which sometimes translates into not doing the run at all.  I decided that wasn't going to happen.  I did a thorough warm up inside the house doing sets of jumping jacks, pull-ups, push-ups and running up and down the stairs.

Rain slowed down just a little so I darted outside. Street and sidewalks were shallow rivers but it was fun puddle jumping.  I wore a hat and older shoes which are going to be wet now for a couple of days.  Somehow wearing a hat seems to make it all ok no matter how badly the rain is pouring down.

So, maybe more later but I least I got this run in.

Oh, and my procrastination paid off.  Jenny called me and said Thomas had called her asking for a dry shirt but she was already at work, so I was able to drop off some dry stuff for him on my way into work.

(old glycerins which I had reitred from the shoe manager having achieved a respectable well over 500 miles on them)

7.62 mi, 1:04:23, 8:27 avg

Ran in the neighborhood, slightly late start but weather is cooling now at least.  Legs very heavy feeling until I stopped briefly for a drink of water then seemed to be ok for the rest of the run.  Determined to do at least 5, glad to get in over 7 and happy I wasnt sloshing through deep puddles today (although it was kinda fun doing that yesterday).

8.47 mi, 1:14:15, 8:46 avg

Actually got out of bed when planned (partially due to knowing I had to pick up Andy by about 8:10).  I felt pretty good at the start of the run although the first two miles were kind of slow (9:50 and 9:20).  Third mile was almost not slow, then the remainder of the miles felt easier and were a bit faster.

The 8 miles seemed to go by quicker than some 5 or 6 mile runs.  Cooler heading into fall and staying darker longer.  Good run overall.

12.18 mi, 1:55:44, 9:30 avg

Starkey park on and off road adventure.  Decided to do some trail miles.  I made it about 1.5 miles in before getting to a very large and deeper than usual puddle blocking the trail.  I had newish non-trail shoes on and didn't want to ruin them, so I decided to turn back and cut over to the bike trail.  Before I made it this far I ran into a large spider web which I had mistaken for a cloud of gnats.  Stopped for a bit to de-web me and make sure the spider wasn't on me.

I next failed on a few attempts to short cut to the bike trail - I kept on running into dead ends or water blocked sections (I later saw on the map I came really close to making it).

Finally back tracked almost to parking lot, and then got onto the bike trail where I did about 8 more miles of uneventful running. (although a bit slower than I wanted).