Runnin' in Mud...

Hwy 205, 11:00 a.m., cloudy, 68, and very humid and windy (20-25 mph) from SSE.  I warmed up 2 miles @ 7:39 pace and then 2 miles @ 6:52 pace w/1.5 min rec. and then 1.5 miles @ 7:05 pace into the headwind.  2 miles easy home.  Last Sunday, I did 3 miles @ 7:00 pace, but this week I changed things up a bit.  Everything is feeling okay, but my legs still need these strength building runs.  30 miles for the week and that is the most since the injury (8 weeks ago).  Hopefully, I will be ~40mpw by the end of Dec. and continuing to build in Jan. and Feb. 

Yesterday, after watching the St. Jude marathon, I told myself that the 2008 edition of this race would be my first REAL sub 3:00 attempt.  I would love to break 3:00 on my hometown course.  362 days and counting.

I almost can't believe that I ran only 3 miles.  Long ago, I made a pact with myself (for some reason).  We agreed that my shortest daily run would be 5 miles.  We broke the pact.  I chose the treadmill today.  People in Utah won't understand this, but it was quite cold today (38F) and very dark.  I have to slowly introduce myself to cold weather running.  Here's the weather in Memphis for you:  Sunday - quite warm (65F), Monday - a bit chilly (38F).  Usually, I don't mind the colder weather, but something about today.  It just looked soooo dark and cold when I peeked out of the window.

It was an uneventful 3 miles with a number of 100m strides thrown in.  Our treadmill is a hand me down and is probably the cheapest model Sears sold back in the late 90's.  All of the controls and slide bars and you are just guessing when you slide it to a number.  Will it be 7.6 mph or 8.2 mph.  This thing is also way off in the calibration department.  10 mph or 6 minute pace is supposed to be the fastest speed.  When you crank it up to the highest setting, I would honestly say that you are running close to a WR 1500m effort.  Why did I go on so long about our dreadmill and my measley 3 miles?  

Arlington High School Track, 4:00 p.m., cloudy, 42, and very windy (gusts of 25-30 mph).  This was my only chance to get to the track and, despite the wind, I had to do it.  The plan was 4:10 per 1000m.  I avg. 4:06 for all 4 and felt good.  Again, the wind was from the north and was almost standing me straight up.  Common sense would have told me to cance this, but not me...  It seems that the two guys that I introduced to running here in Arlington have some natural talent.  They are now pushing me.  They are still slower than me, but I expect that gap to close in the coming months.  I cannot let them beat me, but welcome the competition.  My neighbor ran 1:33:57 in the St. Jude half.  Not a blazing fast time, but he has only been running ~6 months.  He is a former Marine (whoops, always a Marine) and plans to do the Marine Corps Marathon in 2008.  He picked a toughy for his first.  I'm glad I have friends to run with now, but should I give them all of my "secret" workouts? 

Hwy 205, 4:20 p.m., cloudy, 39.  7 miles in 53:37 (7:39 pace).  It got dark really quick.  For once, everything was feeling really good.  This was one of those runs that could have kept on going and going, despite it only being 1 mile less than my longest run (post injury).  I felt great!  On the way back on one of the rural roads, a truck stopped and I wondering what he wanted, as most cars are traveling 60+mph.  A friendly fella told me that there was a large bobcat about 100 yards away, just over the bridge.  Hmm...I had to get back home, so I grabbed a large stick and ran about 1/2 mile with it in my hand.  I don't know if bobcats are aggressive, but I was taking no chances.  I think I even picked up the pace a bit.  The onlookers must have thought that I was lunatic, running down the highway with a stick in my hand.

Hwy 205, 3:00 p.m., cloudy, 47.  7 miles (51:34 - 7:22 pace).  Same course as yesterday, but I was rushed today because the wife and I have a date.  My Dad and Step Mom are coming to watch the kids while we go out to eat.  I thought about doing 8 miles, but time got away and ended up at 7 miles.  I ran 2 minutes faster than I did last night, but I ran the last 2 miles @ 6:55 pace.  I feel stronger with each run, but I have to be careful not to overdo it.  4-5 easy miles tomorrow and then 10 miles on Sunday!

Jetway Loop, 9:45 a.m., cloudy, 55. Sptting light rain some of the time. I did not care about pace today and wanted to run, but run as easy as I could (7:45 pace). I don't feel like I could have run any slower, which is a good sign. I had back to back 7 milers on Thursday and Friday, so I didn't know how I would feel. Legs a bit heavy the first 1/2 mile, but they got better. I don't know if it is the beginning of a cold or what, but I am feeling quite blah today. Longest run tomorrow - 10 miles.  4 miles in 30:56 (7:44 pace).