The Long Run

Did the Monday morning Y routine.  When I got there I saw Raj and was able to give him his age group award plaque from Saturday's race.  It was a warm and humid morning outside and I motivation was low, at least at first.

After some warm up I got onto the treadmill, did 3.15 miles at 8:05 pace, then headed outside.  Since I was more warmed up, my spirits were better.  I was a little bit low on time so my mileage outside was 4.42 miles @ 7:43 pace.

Went back inside and decided to try out doing some strides on the treadmill.   They were kind of fun and on the last one I set the treadmill as fast as it could go, I wasn't sure how fast that was before I tried, but it turned out to be 12.4 miles per hour.

Back at home I did my "better than nothing" strength training routine which consists of 2 sets of 25 push-ups (using the as-seen-on-tv "perfect push-up") and 8 pull-ups, repeated twice, then a few sets of dumbbell exercises, whatever I happen to feel like.  It's not a lot but it seems to be helping as the pull-ups are less of a struggle now.

I had a big cloud over my head, big project due to be finished at work on Wednesday but I was not yet at the stage where I was sure I could finish it.  The cloud had a name and that is USB.

Easy run with my favorite running buddy.  A touch cooler out this morning than yesterday morning.

Average pace: 8:40

This is another late post so I have few details that I can remember.  Work cloud still hanging over my head.  It will be a late night at work.

Cooler weather once again, barely 70 degrees.  Might be time to start running with a shirt again.  Nice pleasant run with Jenny and Jamie.  It was a little rough going at first because of getting home late from work (just after 1:00 am), then getting up and running.  But, it's easier when you can mainly just follow behind.  I had been thinking about doing some speed work but was not up for it.  Jenny had also been thinking about speed work but also decided to scratch it and just enjoy an easy run in nice weather.

Average pace: 8:44

A beautiful morning for running.  Good run, mostly easy with a few pick-ups here and there.

Average pace: 8:35

Work cloud has lifted, finished enough for now at least.  It looked impossible at one point, but it somehow came together.  Miracles do happen sometime (even if they are just small ones).

Another good run with Jenny and Jamie.  Good weather again, uneventful run that just sort of flowed along and went by quickly.

Average pace: 8:41

I was greeted by a temperature reading of 71°  when I pulled into Starkey Park this morning at 6:10.  I ran into "tattoo Mike" who I hadn't seen much of recently.  He was doing 14 and I was planning on 16, so we ran 7 miles together.  It was very pleasant running and we kept the pace conversational.

I went on another 1.5 miles (changed my mind at the last minute to do 17 miles today). Turned around and headed back, slowly picking up the pace some more until I had done 4 miles between 6:51 and 7:05.

Backed it down for the second to last mile and then decided to see what I had left. Managed a 5:59 for the last mile, hard but felt great to finish so strong.

Hung out with the Striders for some catching up.  Haven't seen them as much due to heading off to 5K's.

Average pace: 7:35

Then, back home, there were from-scratch pancakes waiting for me with blueberry topping, thanks Jenny!!