They all can't be "easy" runs.

7.85 miles. Last run in Fruit Cove. 59:43. 7:36 pace. 54 deg. 83 % hum. 49 d.p. 7:20 am start. 

5.8 Miles. Ringling Bridge. 41:50. 7:13 pace. 5:20 pm start. 76 deg. 76% hum. 66 D.P. Great sunset! Lots of folks taking pictures. 3 day non-running streak broken. My first one of those since April. 

3.5 miles. Hood Route. 70 Deg. 97% humidity. Kept it right at 8:00 minute pace, until the last mile, and then picked it up a bit. I have since deleted the time on my watch, so I do not have exact pacing info., but I'm pretty sure about the pace. I have been holding back all week, in mileage, and paces, because of a really bad knee pain in my left knee. It scared me, but apparently not enough to keep me from going to LegoLand for the day for Boy #2's 7th Birthday. It also did not stop me from racing my 10k on Sunday. I really did not let on last week how much this was bothering me. So, I went to bed Saturday night, with an Icy Hot patch on my knee, and hoped I would be able to give it a decent run on Sunday. 

http://www.suncoaststriders.com/results/20131208_scrooge10K.htm

PR! Like outa nowhere! 6:37 pace. Yes, a pretty weak field, but still, a PR is a PR. I am happier with the time, than the placing. 71 deg. 95% hum. I don't know what the dew point was, but I'm guessing "High." I was really uncertain about my abilities in this race, because of the goofy left knee, and spending the previous day walking around a theme park (And eating "Theme Park Food" for the day). Great, Low-key event. And a great tune-up Shot of Confidence for next month's marathon. I did way better than I thought I would. Anyhow, they asked for the faster runners to line up near the start, and the only people up there were two 11 year old kids (That finished 4th and 5th! Say What?!), and the eventual winner of the race, then a 15 foot gap to the next level. I didn't know anybody at this event, except for my friend Brian (Race #2 for him, BTW). So I felt weird being on the start line. I usually like to be @ 2-3 bodies back from the start. The course winds through some golf course communities, and then finishes the last 2 miles on an asphalt trail around a lake. The 24 year old that won the thing was out of sight after mile 1. 2nd place kid (I could tell he was younger, but I didn't know he was 15 until after the race) was an excellent pace setter for me. I was within 20' of that kid for the whole race, until mile 5. If he took decent tangents (as I did), he would have left me earlier. It seemed like he was choosing the outside edge of the course for the entire run. After the race, he told me it was his first 10k. I talked to him about the faster lines he could have taken during the race, and he seemed to appreciate the advice. But with a 15 year old, who can really gauge sincerity? I hit halfway @ 20:00 on the nose. Very pleased at that point. Right before mile 4, I had a mini-coughing fit, and momentarily thought there would be a big collapse, but I held on. Right after that, the course has 1 hairpin turn. Navigating the hairpin turn didn’t bother me as much as the 15 year old being almost conversational, as we passed each other. He said something like “Well, you seem to be running a fine race, sir. I look forward to consuming Gatorade and donuts with you at the finish line.” (My memory of this conversation may be a little off, but not much.) I grunted and cleared my throat, in response. Then we got to the part of the race that goes around the lake. There is @ a half mile stretch of this that goes directly into the morning sun, and that’s when my pace fell off. I was really struggling at this point. If I had to guess where the 1 minute positive split came from, this would be the spot. I rounded the corner to where the sun was at my back, and my pace picked up again. Coming into the finish, the announcer said “And this must be our Master’s Winner.” Oh Yeah, Obviously this guy is a masters runner! Look at how ridiculously old and broken-down he is! I am impressed that you actually made it to the race, gramps! Dude, I ain’t THAT old! Come on, man! So they gave me a nice plaque, and a $25 gift certificate to New Balance of Sarasota. I know nothing of New Balance products, but this is still pretty cool that I got something of value. That has never happened before. Went home. Changed clothes. Went to church stinkin’. Great sermon. I took the boys to lunch, then the beach for a couple of hours. Then we unpacked Christmas. Excellent day. I think I’d like to get in another 10k before Baton Rouge, but I’m less than 6 weeks out now. Time is tight. Sorry this is so long, but I really needed some good news in my running, and this PR qualifies. I have been on what feels like an eternal plateau, and this might be an indication of good things on the way. 

5.8 Miles. Ringling Bridge. 44:05. 7:36 pace. 5:40 pm start. 75 deg. 79% hum. 68 D.P. Just plugging along the day after the race. Pink cotton candy sunset clouds behind a class of paddle board silhouettes. Pretty cool view. I now have to average 8 miles per day to break 2,000 for the year. This is going to be tough. 

9.5 miles. Hood route. 6:20 pm start. 1:13:16. 7:43 pace. 72 degrees. 94% hum. 68 d.p. Then 0.5 mile to my folks' house. 

5.8 Miles. Ringling Bridge. 41:55. 7:14 pace. 5:20 pm start. 68 deg.39% hum. 42 D.P. Shirtless Backwards Visor Dude is back. He sped up on the downhill, after he saw me behind him. I let him go. I didn't feel like racing today. I was just taking in the sunset, and enjoying the run. 

I'll get him Monday. 

4.6 Miles. Ringling Bridge. 36:55. 8:02 pace. 12:20 pm start. 77 deg.46% hum. 54 D.P. Nice and easy. I met a guy with a shirt that said "26.2 is the new 40". I had to run with him for a while to get that backstory. He put together a marathon for him and his friends for his 40th birthday. Then they ate an obscene amount of BBQ. That's a good birthday. Pretty cool, I think. 

20.75 miles. Legacy Trail to Caspersen Beach and back. 5:40 am start. 2:56:21. 8:30 pace. 77 deg. 74% hum. 68 d.p. I was cautiously slow this morning. I'm still testing the left knee out. Everything seems okay so far. Lots to see this morning. Mullet fishermen throwing cast nets everywhere. There must be a fish dip shortage!

10.2 Miles. Legacy Trail to Colonia and back. 5:30 am start time. 1:29:56. 8:49 pace. My legs felt dead from yesterday, and this didn't help, either: 75 degrees, 94% hum. 73 d.p. It was a struggle, and I'm glad I finished. Left knee is still holding up nicely.

5.8 Miles. Ringling Bridge. 43:29. 7:30 pace. 5:40 pm start. 63 deg. 49% hum. 43 D.P. Shirtless Backwards Visor Dude was a no show. The bay was like glass, Spectacular sunset. Someone should sell tickets. 

6:30 pm. At the track. 1 up. then I did a couple of strides. I didn't like the way my knee felt, so I stopped. I think I am just going to go with a slow and steady kind of training, leading up to Louisiana. I might do a 5k to get some speed. Right now, (And sadly, like last year) my goal is to make it to the start. I am certainly fit enough to run a marathon. But, I doubt my knee is healthy enough to run as fast as I think I could. 4 weeks of 7:30-8:30 stuff, and then race. I'll figure out what to do after that.

5.2 Miles. Ringling Bridge. 38:44. 7:27 pace. 5:20 pm start. 70 deg. 37% hum. 43 D.P. 

1900!

3.5 Miles. Hood Route. 5:30 am start. Untimed. 48 degrees. 87% hum. 45 d.p.

10.2 Miles. Legacy Trail to Colonia and back. 1:00 pm start time. 1:10:06. 7:36 pace. 1st mile:7:05. Last mile: 7:28. 83 degrees, 58% hum. 66 d.p. Still aware of the left knee.We'll see how this plays out tomorrow.

16.25 miles. Legacy Trail to Circus Bridge and back. 2:08:45. 8:24 pace. 6 am start. 77 deg. 78% hum. 70 d.p. This is not as quick as I wanted, but the pace felt steady and strong thoughout. Then to Boy #2's 1st flag football game.

10.2 Miles. Legacy Trail to Colonia and back. 6:00 am start time. 1:27:52. 8:37 pace. 70 degrees, 100% hum. 68 d.p. Yes, it was a struggle. Spouse hinted that she got me some very expensive running shoes for Christmas last night. I need to hit the stores after church, or else Christmas morning will be awkwardly lopsided. After 19 Chirstmases with this woman, how do I still mess this up?

5.8 Miles. Ringling Bridge. 42:27. 7:19 pace. 4:40 pm start. 81 deg. 74% hum. 71 D.P. The Boss took us to lunch at Hob Nob. (Burgers and Onion Rings that are Sooooo bad for you, but Sooooo Good!) http://hobnobdrivein.com/

I am proud of this pace,.... in context. 

10.2 Miles. Legacy Trail to Colonia and back. 5:30 am start time. 1:20:56. 7:56 pace. 6:43 last mile. 64 degrees, 94% hum. 63 d.p. 41 miles to go.

There was a bobcat on the sidewalk in the first 100 yards. That flipped me out. "Christmas Bob"cat? No. His name was "Sandy Claws." Yeah, that will work.

7.5 miles. Hood Route. 54:16. 7:14 pace. 5:30 pm start. 70 deg. 68% hum. 59 d.p. After swimming in the Gulf with the boys. 71 degree water temp. Almost too cold.

New shoes test run. Long story short- Me Likey Da New Chews!

Merry Chrstmas, Party People!

AM: 5.5 miles. Hood Route. 43:17. 7:52 pace. 6:30 am start. 63 deg. 82% hum. 57 d.p.

PM: At track. 2:00 pm start. 77 deg. 61% hum. 63 d.p. My last few trips to the track have been really depressing. (The goal was 2 up, 3 repeat miles in @ 6:15. 1 down.)

2 up. 1 lap in 1:18. I was really upset that after all of this time, I still have no control of my pace out of the gate. I was ready to throw the entire workout (like I usually do), but I regrouped, and decided to give it another shot. 1 mile in 6:05. 4 minutes rest. 1 mile in 6:10. 4 minutes rest. 1 mile in 6:11. I ran out of time, and could not run a cool down mile.

I'm glad I followed through on the workout. But I have to wonder why I psyche myself out at the track, and I'm relaxed before a 5k or 10k? Shouldn't it bethe other way around?

5.5 miles. Hood Route. 42:35. 7:45ace. 4:45 pm start. 77 deg. 69% hum. 66 d.p. Rough start, but then I settled into a Nice and easy groove. I'm trying not to mess up tomorrow's longer run today. Plus, my legs are still a little trashed from yesterday's track stuff.

17 to go. Your move, Derunzo.

10.2 miles. Legacy Trail to Colonia and back. 1:24:35. 8:18 pace. 7 am start. 68 deg. 94% hum. 66 d.p. I wanted to do the 16.25 mile run, and then party like I had 1,999 miles, but I ddn't feel that into it today. It was nothing specific, Just blah.

7 miles. (1.5 + 5.5) hood route. My worst run of the year! Started out in the rain. 72 degrees. 2 bathroom stops.

Don't care. broke 2,000 miles. Moving on......

5.2 Miles. Ringling Bridge. 37:27. 7:12 pace. 5:35 pm start. 66 deg. 75% hum. 58 D.P. 

Computer service guy came to the office today.....with the flu! I am a little angry. 

4.6 Miles. Ringling Bridge (x2).  untimed. 12:30 pm start. 68 deg.50% hum. 49 D.P. I forgot my running shorts. That's why I didn't bother timing this. 

Happy new year, all! Be safe.