The Long Run

10.05 mi, 1:35:27, 9:30 avg

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

This might be the most peaceful morning all year to run.  I had been thinking of sleeping in but Jamie did not run yesterday and wanted to run early before her kids got up.  Started out at 6:00 and did a little bit over 7 miles together.  I ran a little bit farther on my own, then walked Stella and ran with her a bit longer to get over 10 miles.  Joe loaned me the dog prong collar which I tried on Stella and made a big difference.  We ran about 1.5 miles I think.

15.17 mi, 2:34:40, 10:11 avg

Ran with Daisy and Claudia.  I was originally planning on 10 miles, maybe 12.  But, Daisy said Claudia needed to run 15 and told her she'd run with her.  I had not run with her before so it was kind of fun to talk to someone that you see all the time but never get a chance to talk to much.  We ran two 3.5 mile loops through Longleaf neighborhoods, stopped briefly as the other Striders were packing up, then did an out and back up Starkey Blvd to Aristide for another 4 miles.  It was cool enough most of the run that we didn't need water and was warmed up enough at the end that it was nice once we stopped.

10.55 mi, 1:40:19, 9:30 avg, HR 120 avg, 158 max

Ran with Jamie in the neighborhood.  Joe had declared maybe the night before (he's about 50/50 pretty much when he says maybe).  Daisy canceled at the last minute due to daughter's ear ache and her sister also sick.   Started just after 6:30, still dark especially with the fog.  Ran into Jamie about halfway to her house.  While running down one of the side streets she was saying how she's not very fast and how she used to be fast (her 5K PR was in Ocotober with a 22:56).  So, I made her run fast for a little bit 6:24 pace for 0.1 mile, and then 6:17 pace for 1 minute.  The quick pick ups actually felt really good and made the rest of the run feel easy.

We ran about 9 miles together, then I stopped at home, walked the two dogs, and then ran Stella about 1.5 miles.

So now, I think I'm less than 16 miles from breaking 3000 for the year.

9.14 mi, 1:23:39, 9:09 avg

Ran at Longleaf, 5:30 with the Striders.  Anthony was there and looking for around the same mileage and pace so we ran together up Starkey Blvd and then to the end of Haltata and back.  It's was pretty foggy making the streets extra dark and making it feel much colder than the low 60's.  Wore one of the new running outfits the boys got me for Christmas.

Headed back home, walked the dogs, and then ran Stella for another 1.5 miles.

6.81 mi, 1:05:09, 9:34 avg

Ran up and down Starkey Blvd with Jamie, Cynthia, and Renee (and also ran into Craig and Diane).  Chilly and windy morning.

I hit my goal of 3,000 miles for the year today, determined to push through with enough December miles.  I was close three years ago but missed it by 100 miles and later regretted.

At the end of the run Jamie suprised me with party poppers.  Unfortunately she did not give Renee a party popper safety lesson and she ended up hitting herself in the face (we stopped Cynthia just in time).

Goal finished one day early!