The Long Run

I woke up as Jenny was getting ready to go for her run, but I was wide awake.  I used to be able to go back to sleep and laze around a little bit before the kids started telling  me to get up.

I kind of wanted to go for a run but thought better of it since I ran 21 miles yesterday.  I felt great and don't feel sore at all today but still didn't want to push my luck.

So, I took Sammy out for a walk as the sun was coming up.  He didn't want to walk very far because he was concerned about his "sister" Barbie who did not finish all of her food.  They both act kind of funny when there is a partially filled bowl of food sitting around!

It was also nice to go for a walk as the sun was coming up to see the sky changing from dark to light and see some interesting swirly clouds.  This past week I was talking with two of my running friends as we were finishing up and it had just gotten light.  We all agreed that one of the best parts about running in the morning and having to get up early is the sunrises, they go a long way to making getting out of bed easier.

Ok, now I'm going to make pumpkin waffles to celebrate fall.  I stopped by the store on the way home from work on Friday to make sure we'd have the ingredients.  There's not too many things that I know how to prepare, but I do love waffles!

D'OH!!  out of sugar, so no waffles this morning.  If I knew how to substitute better I would figure out how to replace the sugar with syrup or something that we have.  Hmmm, syrup inside the waffles and then poured on it, sounds pretty good actually.

Later, we'll be going to the newly opened Legoland Florida with the whole family!  Should be a fun time.

7.1 mi 01:03 08:50 pace

Planned on "sleeping in" until 6:00, but my body popped awake at 5:37 as if I had just slept through the 5:30 alarm. So, got going but was a little slow in getting out the door. Ran the loop then out to the water stop. Just as I got there someone jumped out at me from around the corner. After a brief moment of terror (better than coffee to wake up!), I realized it was Lisa R. , we ran together about 3 miles, then I finished the loop the rest of the way home.

After the run, did some hip mobility exercises, and then some upper body weight type exercises, including 3 sets of pull-ups weighted down with a 20 lb dumb bell, some pushups, presses, and curls.

PM - did a boot camp class at FlexOne conducted as usual by my beautiful wife Jenny. She has really built up that class and made it fun and challenging. I keep noticing big improvements in my core strength and non-running stamina.

So, another 1 mile in the evening.

Thanks Jenny, I love you!! You are amazing.

5.49 mi 00:49 08:52 pace

Nice quiet run with Jenny and I. Pace felt comfortable. First run on a Tuesday in quite some time when no one was joining us, but it's nice to do that sometimes.

I'll always take a run with Jenny whenever I can.

8.36 mi 01:15 08:58 pace

Started out with the big crew of Jenny , Lisa R. , Kathryn L. and Jamie, ran out the usual route to the water stop. It was pretty humid out which made the running a little bit sluggish. Kathryn instigated running the "hill" after the water stop. Most of the group headed straight back, then I ran with Jamie to gate game neighborhood and then back.

7.7 mi 01:08 08:53 pace

Cool and a little breezy, but very pleasant. Short sleeve shirt was almost not warm enough. Ran with Jenny and Chris H. this morning. Jenny turned back at the water stop, then Chris and I did last gated neighborhood and the "C" shaped gate.

7.07 mi 01:05 09:09 pace

11.42 mi,  01:3, 9 08:38 pace

Ran by myself in Starkey park on the hiking trails. This was my fourth time running off road. Sean K. had taken me three times before. This was my first solo run there. I wanted to try learn it for myself. Nice, cool 50 degrees at the start, fumbled around in the dark, then followed the sun east once it was up and made it to the 4 mile water stop (took me 6.8 miles), return trip was much quicker and more direct. Felt great once I made it back. Ready to get back out there again soon.

Shoes were a bit muddy when I got home, but it was worth it.

After the run, put the old kitchen table out on the driveway for sale, and someone bought it in half an hour.

 Then headed over to youngest son's Tae Kwon Do belt test.  He almost didn't get to take the test since his forms needed a little bit of work.  But, he was able to convince the instructor that he was serious about doing a good job and was able to take the test. During the test his forms never looked better.  Had a lot of focus and intensity. 

Celebrated with dinner at B.D.'s Mongolian Grill that night.