Run Run Run

Ran the same 5K in the morning on the logging roads as the previous day around 28:45. The road is about 1/3 up, 1/3 down and 1/3 flat which I consider a good mix. For me I consider this a fast workout. Alexander ran it in less than 25 minutes. Then we ran an extra 1 mile at easy pace to cool down although it did have a very steep hill at the end.

Then went to the ocean later in day and did a couple easy miles on the Westport jetty as far as speed pace, but it was challenging in that it was mainly skipping and jumping on big boulders. Had to be somewhat careful of balance.

Then tonight we ran on logging roads again this evening at easy pace for 4 miles but went up a different route, It had one fairly long steep hill. While on top of the ridge there were some "nighthawks" flying above us making that hawk screech sound. I tried making some similiar sound and one of them divebombed me twice, the second time causing me to duck to the ground and being about 2 feet from my head. Lesson learned: be careful what you say to nighthawks in their or a similiar language. Whatever I said must have pissed him/her off for some reason

Most miles Ive done in a day - 13.5. OK - well I did it in 3 runs - but for me thats a start and a improvement. A future step will be to see if I can do that much in one run so I can see if I can do a 1/2 marathon (actually I know I can do one, but I want to feel I can do it like a runner, not someone just doing it if that makes sense. If I lived up here I know I would run more - I love the cooler temps, trees etc.

Started this morning running the logging roads from Montesano to Lake Slyvia, this was a 6 mile run, including a steep 1 mile hill as well as some shorter hills. We did it in 57 minutes. There was a rain drizzle most of the way and we got abit wet but we liked it and the rain didnt bother us. After that we had breakfast and then ran a fast training 5K for me - I did it in 28:19 which was good since I had already run 6 miles. Alex ran it in 24:05. Tonight I ran solo and slow but at least I ran, 4.5 miles in 50 minutes including 1 long steep hill. So Im pleased for pushing myself - I can finally say I ran alot of miles in one day

Ran our 5K again in the Montesano logging roads in about 28:15, Alexander gave me a 4 minute head start but still caught me and beat me in the last yards.

Then went to the Olympic National Park beaches and got another 3 miles in running

At Olympic National Park beaches. Got about 6 miles of running in including an awesome moonlight run along the wilderness beach listening to the waves, saw otter and bald eagles earlier

A couple more easy miles on the beach and then we went swimming in the cold refreshing Lake Quinault and got back to Moms and ran our 5K again on the logging roads

One mile on the beach and then did our 5K logging road route, all at slow pace

Race wasnt until 10AM so wasnt a rush to get to it, temps were nice, in the low 60's. It was a trail cross-country route through the Forest. I did OK but had trouble following the route as the white arrows marking route were faded and I run without my glasses. Got irritated with myself as I got very confused in one spot which made me run extra and loose time. I had passed all other runners slower than me and didnt see anyone in front of me since it was on trail, I must have run past an arrow or missed a turn. Oh well, it was still fun and I won my age group getting the blue ribbon although it was a small local race. There were quite a few high school runners doing it getting ready for their cross-country season. Anyway I enjoyed running through the trees, across the creek bridges and in the cooler temps.I ran back on the course after the race trying to figure out where I got confused, but all that did was confuse me more - oh well

So because I was irritated with my confusion, I decided to push myself for a long run. Actually I had planned on doing a run anyway, but I probably would have backed out since I had already run a race, but that helped me force myself. I ran a 10 mile loop, going up the logging roads to Lake Slyvia, through the state park, down to the town of Montesano and back up county roads to my parents home. I did it in 1 hour 38 minutes and 41 seconds so that was less than 10 minute miles and I consider it equivalent to more than 10 miles since it has some monster hills and is about 40% up, 40% down and 20% flat grades. This is the most I have run in a day (15 miles total) since about 40 years ago in high school. Having time off and cooler temps sure helps (Sasha probably would run 200 miles up here!). I also ran almost 60 miles this week, quite an accomplishment for me, but Monday Ill be back in Utah to the work grind, family duties and highere temps but maybe this can help me to continue some improvement