Winning Back What I Lost

T/M:  Late run tonight.  Easy pace (8:50) w/ miles 3-6 at 2% incline.  I was really worried that I would wuss out of this workout b/c the crud is going around every one of my kids and my wife.  I felt a little achy and lethargic at the start but after a  mile or so my legs and lungs started to feel really strong.  I'm actually starting to enjoy uphill running a bit more every workout. 

Today was another hill day. I briefly thought about going up Shaw Mt. to Table Rock because I wasn't sure if the upper end of the Les Bois 10k course was bogged down w/ the recent rain we've received.  Temp was excellent, mid 50's, but it was windy as heck which alternated between a blessing and a curse on the way up and on the way back.  I decided that I was gonna attack the uphill 5k portion and see how fast I could run it.  About 1/4 mile into that plan I finally got my legs to respond.  The good news is that the narrow dirt trails on the upper portion were in great shape and I thought I might be able to push through the steepest portion of the uphill (12-20% grade) around mile 2 at this accelerated pace- but it wasn't to be.  I bonked and had to walk about .2 miles of the steepest portion.  That said, I was still able to complete the first 5k in 29:02.  The downhill was more encouraging.  Instead of braking on the steepest of the downhill I was able to more or less fall down the slope and really make good time.  For a brief moment I imagined that I was Ice-T being chased by Rutger Hauer through the wilderness.  My overall pace was 8:20.  If I can whittle that down to around 8 mpm by a week from Saturday then I'll be extremely pleased.  I should also add that I learned that eating a Jello Sugar Free Pudding Snack immediately before a strenuous run is ill advised.    

Midday run on the GB.  Temp in the 50's and overcast.  No real aim or purpose to today's run, just looking to log some miles.  My hamstrings were extremely tight and never got loose during the entirety of the run.  Warmup, 4 miles @ 8:37, and cooldown. 

San Francisco, CA

Checked into my hotel on Embarcadero right on the Bay and couldn't wait to go for a run along the Pier.  Ran from Embarcadero Plaza to Fisherman's Wharf back underneath the Bay Bridge then to South Beach Yacht Club, McCovey Cove @ AT&T Park, where Bonds used to launch his steroid induced bombs, and back to the Plaza. 

AT&T is a lovely venue and not long ago it was center of the baseball universe.  My how things have changed.  If Yankee Stadium was the "house that Ruth built" then PacBell/AT&T is the house that Bonds built that was later foreclosed upon and now the Giants have to write down as a toxic asset.  Beautiful view of the Bay Bridge all lit up at sunset.  I could even see into right field @ AT&T Park through the iron gates as I ran past.  Lots of people running which forced my type A competitive personality into hyerdrive.  I ran @ my 10k pace most of the run which is alright I guess but I wasn't planning on a tempo run- it just sorta happened.  8:03 pace overall. 

San Francisco, CA

Planned on running the Embarcadero again but I ended up going to dinner and getting back after dark.  Ran on the TM, a nice one for a change.  It seems like no matter how nice the hotel I stay in their treadmills are almost always horrible.  Did some light weight work followed by a slow run w/ a couple miles of incline (2-6%) mixed in.  I plan on a long run tomorrow along the Pier and possible as far as GG Bridge and back.

San Francisco, CA

Set a new high in monthly mileage in just 28 days.  Had to transfer to another hotel that is smack dab in downtown.  It was kinda fun running through downtown and weave in and out of the crowds.  Surprisingly few stops for lights.  Ran down the Embarcadero but continued and to Fisherman's Wharf, Fort Mason Lookout (Nice steep climb), Marina and finally to the Presidio at the base of GG Bridge and back.  Plenty of people out and about on a Saturday so I had to dodge a lot of human and dog traffic.  Should not have done that weight training or hills late last night.  I'm plenty sore right now and I seem to be fighting a sore throat as well.