Fly me to the moon...

It was pretty warm this morning and it looks like tomorrow will be even warmer.  I ran with the usual group plus Matt.  I forgot to start my watch for the first half, but I started it at the halfway point.  The last 4 miles were run in 30:29 (7:37/mile).  I decided to try my older pair of Brooks running shoes this morning.  They are the ones that gave me some knee problems a few months back.  My foot is still sore, but the shoes felt better.  I did get a nice big blister on my right foot though.  My quads have also been sore after runs lately.  It is mostly my right quad, but the left one was hurting today as well.  It feels like soreness from fatigue or from a hard run and has been there for at least a week.  I don't know what the reason is, but it may be some lactic acid that is just sitting there.

Ran the usual with the group.  I abstained from doing the 400m intervals with Sasha and Jeff due to the sore foot.  I did do a couple on the way back after turning around.  They felt good and weren't too fast, but my foot has been hurting a bit more today.  I was thinking of doing a race this Saturday, but I might be visiting U of Wyoming this weekend.  I also won't be around for the next race in the FRB winter racing series in a couple of weeks because I have Spring Research conference at BYU.  The day after I fly out to Houston for a planetary science conference.  It will be a busy month with all of that plus trying to finish up my thesis.  The total time for the 8 miles was 61:37 (7:42/mile).

I only did 4 today to give the foot a little bit of a break.  I picked up the intensity a little because I had to be back in time to get ready and go to the doctor with Symphany.  She had a follow-up appointment for her ear infection to be sure everything was okay.  Total time was 27:39 (6:54/mile).

Eight miles with the group in 62:32 (7:49/mile).  The foot felt like it normally does in the morning.  It is still a little sore, but feels better as I warm up and the day goes on.

Just the usual again with the group.  It has turned off cold the past few days with temps in the upper 20s and lower 30s in the morning.  Total time for 8 was 63:04 (7:53/mile).

Today was an interesting run.  In hindsight, I should have run the Run for Red 5K today.  I would most likely have gotten in the top three pretty easily, and I was in town.  I was unsure if I would be here for it so I couldn't commit to it.  Anyway,  I started off with a run to the post office and back to mail a letter.  Then I headed out on the trail for 4 more miles.  I noticed the time was around the time for the race start when I got back to Independence Avenue.  I decided to head over to Independence high school to see the start and wish Mary Ann good luck.  There were cars lined up all along the road and filling the parking lot.  It was a really good turnout.  I looked around for Mary Ann, but didn't see her until right before the start.  She looked pretty focused so I didn't want to bother her.  I also saw Bryce at the start, and the women's race winner, Lindsey Dunkley.  She looked pretty serious.  They started, and I let them go.  I then headed out along the road and caught the trail near the ice sculpture.  The trail was covered with runners so I ran in the grass along the side to 820 N.  I'm sure they were wondering who I was running along the trail passing people like they were standing still.  I was going around 7-7:20 pace, but they were much slower.  I headed down 820 N because I knew they were going to be coming that way after running along the trail to the fire station and back.  I stopped a little bit after the round-about and turned around to see the leaders coming up the street.  Bryce was in the lead with another guy and Lindsey about 50 meters behind him.  About 200 meters after that was Mary Ann and another guy.  They didn't seem to be going that fast, but the times weren't too bad.  I followed after them and finished the loop.  Then I headed home.  Altogether it was an interesting run.  I timed portions of it to get an idea of distance, but with all of the stopping and starting I gave up trying to time it completely.  I figured it was about 8.5 miles.