Every Race is an Adventure!

I went out for a noon run today instead of running in the morning. It was still plenty cold, and pretty windy. I figured I only had time for 5 miles, and that would have to be at closer to an 8:00 minute pace than 9:00. I averaged around 8:15 the first two miles, into the wind and with a little uphill. The third mile was 8:49, with some pretty good uphill. Mile 4 was along the canal road (mostly level) at 8:02. The last mile included the 1600 N downhill. Even though it was into the wind I still managed to drop down to 7:03 for the last mile, for an overall average of 8:04/mi.

This was not race pace, or even a fast tempo run, but it felt good to push the pace a bit. I'm feeling strong, and my Achilles is behaving, but it keeps reminding me to be prudent and not push too much too soon.

Larry joined me for an easy 6 mile birthday run this morning. What a great way to start the day.

This year is only 49, next year will be the big 5-0 and a new age division.

Larry and I braved the frigid blowing snow and ran up the big 2000 N hill, but Larry wasn't feeling well so we only got in 3.2 miles. I really didn't mind getting back indoors sooner to thaw out.

I ran 13 miles this morning...and walked 1 mile. I got in 4 easy miles early then met up with Larry, Wayne and Kevin. We headed north on the canal road. A few miles into the run Kevin stopped to talk with his father-in-law who was running the other direction. Larry stopped with him and Wayne and I continued on. We thought they would be right behind us, but we never saw them again until the end of the run.

Wayne said he hadn't been feeling well all week and didn't know how far he would go, but he ended up outrunning me again. About mile 4 into my run with Wayne my right hip starting hurting pretty badly. I have some arthritis in that hip. I tried running through it but by mile 5, still heading away from home, I knew I wouldn't be able to run another 7 miles. Wayne wanted to get in 12 miles so I told him to continue on. I would stretch and walk a bit and join him on the return trip. I ended up walking about a mile back the way we had come, stopping and stretching along the way, before Wayne returned. I ran with him the last 4 miles and the hip wasn't too bad.

My hip hasn't bothered me at all for a long time. I think the problem with my hip this morning may have been that I wore shorts even though it was pretty cold, especially during those 4 early miles I ran. I 'll have to keep an eye on it.