What ever it takes!

Took a day of rest. Ironic since I have to work anyway,  I wouldn't have even know it was Sunday except my legs hurt like it's Sunday :)

So I guesstimate that I walk 10 - 15 miles on these conferences each day.  I bought myself some Sketcher Shape-Ups, you know to get in shape.  Seriously though I am very impressed with them, excellent walking shoes for a long day of conference support.

4:30 am.  Ran the Embarcadaro route this morning just over Fort Mason Hill and back for an easy 6.5 mile run.  On the way out I mapped a straight path on the Embarcadaro that was 1/2 mile long since today was a 5 x 800's day.  I was really dreading speed work today but really wanted to get it in since I feel like I've slacked on it with all the long weeks lately.  On the way back I hit my start marker at exactly 6.5 miles so my Garmin must have been right on.  Wasn't quite sure what pace I could do 800's at, probably started out to fast on the first one and but finally figured out a pace I could maintain for 1/2 mile.  Ran back and forth 5 times for a total of 2.5 miles.  I kept waiting for other joggers to get about 1/4 mile in front of me before I started each one and used them as a rabbit.  I was able to catch all of my rabbits before the end of my stride each time, so that made me feel good.  Granted none of them looked like they were very fast and where just out for a morning jog, but still, it helps to have a target.

Splits for 5 x 800's (1/2miles)

2:41  (5:22 pace)
2:47  (5:33 pace)
2:46  (5:32 pace)
2:48  (5:37 pace)
2:46  (5:33 pace)

Actually had no idea what my times were until just now, I'm actually a little surprised to see them written down.  I was just trying to be under 6:00 pace so I'm pretty impressed with myself.  I really don't like speed work, I'm more of a just go out and run for a long time type of guy.

4:00 am.  Had to get an early start since we decided to start work at 6:00am this morning.  16,000 people attending this conference.  By far the biggest conference network I have ever deployed and supported.  

Ran my normal route out to the Golden Gate overlook park.  ( don't know what it's called, it looks like an old military base)  When I started out while I was waiting for my Garmin to find satellites some guy went flying past me, so as soon as my Garmin started I took off after him.  Ran my first mile in under 6:00 but still never caught him, he turned off at Peir 39 and I kept going, but he got my average for the whole run up.

Was planning on 13 miles, but I ran out of road and didn't feel like running circles to make up the difference.

12.5 miles in 1:23:57  6:43/mile average.

Good quality workout, kept my pace pretty steady the whole run.

Conference food is killing me.  Blah!! hope I can run tomorrow, I'm going to gain 10 lbs

4:30 am.  Running a little late today, slept in all the way until my alarm went off this morning.  Just a normal General Aerobic run this morning 10 miles out and back, there is a really neat overlook of the Bay and Golden Gate bridge at Crissy Feild  just over 5 miles out on my run so I stopped there for a few minutes and just took in the view and the beautiful morning. 

Had some nerve pain in my entire right leg this morning, can't really pinpoint where exactly it hurts just kind of aches all over.  I really need a massage.  Started out limp running the first mile and thought it would lossen up, it did a little but never felt great.  Just a good run to get the miles in, never very fast.

10.3 miles in 1:16:15  7:24/mile average.

5:00 am.  Went to the INXS concert last night for the party here at VMWorld, ate lots of really bad food and stayed out way past my bedtime.  INXS is actually really good, the replacement singer for Michael Hutchence is very good.  I saw INXS back in the 80's and I actually think the new singer is a better live performer.  He sounds all most exactly like Michael Hutchence but better.  Weird, anyway.  How does this relate to running?  Oh yeah.  So I got kind of a late start but that's OK cause it was a recovery day, my right leg was really bothering me today, I tried to stretch out extra good before the run, which helped a little but I was pretty much limp running the whole time.  I tried to take it easy, but probably went faster than I should.  It's hard to run the same route you have been running every day but at different speeds.  I went out to Fort Mason, but instead of going up the hill I went out to the end of the peir and took in the stars and view of the city for a minute or 2 and then headed back.  Stomach was pretty upset from all the finger foods last night too.

I have a 10 mile Tempo run tomorrow, not sure how that's going to go, I'm going to try and eat better today and stretch out as much as possible.

5:00 am.  Ah, finally done with our show,  1 down 1 to go. Finished up last night but not to late.  got to bed by 10:30.  Today was a 10 mile race simulation day, my leg is still bothering me quite a bit so I started out slow and just tried to work it out the first mile.  1st mile in about 8:00.  I stopped and stretched out a bit when I reached the embarcadaro, started out as fast as my leg would handle, I pushed through the pain and just tried to keep around a 6:30/mile pace.  Had a pretty good headwind when I hit Peir 39 but figured that would help on the way back.  After the 5 mile turn around point my leg finally got tolerable to run on but still kept my pace slower than I would want a Tempo run pace to be.

Ended up running 9.2 miles in 1:00:10  6:32/mile average pace, with the 1 mile warm up 6:40 average.

Not to bad considering how bad my leg was hurting, I can barely walk but can some how manage to run a 6:32 pace.  Funny.

I have my last long run tomorrow (17 miles) and then I'm officially in taper mode.

At SFO airport right now coming home for the holiday weekend and then back to San Fran next Tuesday for yet another 2 week show.  fun fun...

5:00 am.  Back home again, It's nice to be home.  Was planning on running the SunCrest loop again today with Ryan, but he bailed on me, some family reunion excuse.  So I started out my normal BullRiver route to Smiths, glad I didn't have to do SunCrest, my leg wasn't up for it.  My leg started out stiff but loosened up and felt pretty good after about 3 miles. 

2 Miles into the run in the construction zone on 92 I ran into 2 girls.  I startled them pretty bad and about got pepper sprayed in the face.  After I convinced them I wasn't some crazy 5:00am rapist out with a headlamp and running clothes I helped them down the cliff wall created by the construction and we ran for about 2 miles together.  I learned about one of their pet mice and listened to her apologize to some poor lady that she had butt called 3 times starting at 4:30am.  They complained that my 8:30 pace was to fast for them, so I left them alone and went out ahead.   Went up the Suncrest Road about 2 miles and turned East on Westfield, I had never gone this way before and found it very enjoyable.  Followed it out to Main Street in Alpine which was exactly 8.5 miles from home.  Turned around and took the same route home.  Ran into the 2 girls at the SunCrest/Westfield intersection and stopped to say Hi then cruised home.  Second 1/2 of the run was definately more fluid and faster.  My leg started hurting like it had just run 15 miles instead of just hurting for no reason.

Entire run was 17 miles in 2:03:30.   7:15/mile avg pace.  Not bad with the incredibly slow start.

 Really glad to get that run done, now on with the taper.  2 weeks to Logan.