The Long Run

Ran with Dixie in the hilly neighborhood, went a little slower and took it easy. I meant to do more but was caught in a time-warp and ran out of time.  It was warmish and humid, but otherwise a nice morning.

Average pace: 8:16

Did my upper body "better than nothing" workout after the run.

 Ran with Jenny this morning around the neighborhood.  As we were nearing the end of the run, received a phone call from older son, who said younger son was not feeling well.  So, we put the plan in place, I picked it up and hurried straight home.  Nothing too urgent, but better safe than sorry. 

Average pace: 8:30

Delightfully cool morning.  Running with Jenny.  Easy paced run.  We ran together for 9 miles, then I did a short out and back by myself to get in one more mile.

Average pace: 8:38

This morning, Jenny and I had to take turns running.  One of the kids wasn't feeling well so we didn't want to both leave.  Jenny took the first shift, and I started once she got back.  I didn't do any speed work last week so after warming up I did 5 X 1K:

3:44 (6:02), 3:35 (5:46), 3:43 (6:00), 3:41 (5:56), 3:44 (6:01)

It was cooler out this time than the last time I did this workout and my times were a little bit faster.  Jogged back home for cool down.

 Except, when I was about a 0.25 mile from home, a lawn mower pulled out behind me (one of this big landscaper models).  I thought he was just going to drive into the next yard or so, but instead he pulled out on the street behind me and was going pretty fast.  I sped up to get away from him, but he kept right behind me.  I don't think I was being chased and if I had known he had a long way to go and was going to be going that fast I would have gotten out of the way!  Garmin said my peak pace was 4:39, which might be possible.

Jenny went out to the drug store and on the way back said she saw a guy on a lawnmower going really fast down the street!

Average pace: 7:32

Ran with Jenny this morning for 8 miles, then did a little bit extra on my own after that.  Run went well.  After yesterday's repeats and then race with the lawn mower the top of my left foot was hurting a bit.  I could still feel it a little bit when I started out this morning but it seemed to get better after warming up and then felt pretty good for the rest of the day.  I'm thankful for that.  That, and the nice cool weather and having a running partner who also is my wife.

Average pace: 8:38

Did my upper body "better than nothing" workout after the run.

Coolest morning so far this year, 65 degrees.  Arrived in Starkey Park just before 6:15.  Stopped on the way up there to pick up bags from several runners who had started early.  I had just missed everyone else starting out, so I started out by myself.  I didn't particularly feel motivated at the start of my run but had faith that the run would not stay the same.  I would see things of interest, think about things, see some people along the way and listen to some music.  The sky would go from dark to light, a little foggy to clear and sunny.

Had originally planned on 16, but since it was such a nice morning decided to extend a little bit to 18.  I even briefly entertained the idea of doing 20 but thought that might be getting greedy.

Just before half way through the run I gradually started picking up the pace.

The last 7 miles I averaged about 7:00 pace, with the last mile at 6:40.

Average pace: 7:43

Hung out for a bit, then gave a couple of runners a ride back to their cars.  Felt refreshed and ready to run again.