After the Debacle

After Saturday's debacle I was a little timid going into today's run. Everything worked out okay, though, and I did 4.5 miles, including an 18-minute tempo run. The run was good, and order has been restored.

I took both Sunday and yesterday off, which is the first time in over six weeks that I've been idle two days in a row. I think my body needed the rest as well as my mind, and that extra day has been well received on both fronts.

Also today I ran into a 62-year old lady who went to a church we used to attend, and she told me how she's run a marathon and three half-marathons in the past year. She's hoping to qualify for Boston next year, and based on how she keeps winning her age division and ran a half in 2:03, I'd say she has a pretty good chance of making it. That little talk was just as inspiring as getting back on the road!

Too Much Walking

Today's long run was very frustrating. Saying I went 14 miles would be true, albeit charitable. I drove out east of Independence to a nice trail, and the first 7 miles went fine. I stopped back at the truck at the halfway point, drank some water and downed a gel-pack, and then after a couple more miles things fell apart. I walked a couple of times, and about mile 11 I walked a mile, then ran really slow for about another mile, and by then I was about done in.

I suppose I learned a few things today. I slept horribly last night, which seems to be a pattern before long runs. It's one of those outings that gives me doubts about finishing a full 26.2. I also learned to pay better attention to my feet (the toes knows!) since my middle right toe is swollen from either pounding against the inside of my shoe or pushing off during my stride. Today was a day where I definitely feel like a forty-year old trying to run a long distance. Hopefully next week gets better.

A New Thing

Ran intervals for the first time tonight, and I kind of liked it. Running faster is fun. The total tonight was 6 miles with 4x800 of intervals. I ran them in half-mile increments since I figured that was close enough. The girls had their last softball game tonight so I ran afterward after watching them win their final outing. At last, the baseball and softball seasons are over! It was fun, but it was a lot of running around with the kids. And not the kind of running around that adds to my weekly mileage, if you know what I mean.

Long run coming up on Saturday - 14 miles!

After the Fillings

Ran 3.5 miles this afternoon, nice and easy like the schedule says. I planned on running more but felt a little dehydrated, no doubt due to the lack of water this afternoon since I left work at 1:30 for a dentist appointment. Having two fillings will keep a person from drinking their normal allotment of water. Oh well, at least I got the running in, and most of it without drooling from my numb lips.

Tempo Run

A late run today, 5 miles to Target and back. This included a 16 minute tempo run. I don't know who thought it was a good idea to do tempo runs on the hills, but since it was apparently me, I should kick my butt. Actually it's gotta be good for me, so when it pays off in the long run I guess I'll cut myself some slack. And I kind of enjoyed it until the last three minutes up that loooooong hill. Thank God for cooldown time.

Sweating and Blogging

Sweat is still pouring off of me as I write this entry. Today was an easy run, 4 miles, and after a little rain this morning it's not hot, but it is quite humid. I guess my evaporating perspiration is just adding to what's in the atmosphere.

Ribs and Running

This morning started off with a half hour of getting the smoker going and putting on three racks of ribs. After that preamble I headed out and ran 10 miles, which is four times around the neighborhood. I thought about heading out and varying the route a little, but it was so peaceful and I really don't enjoy listening to traffic going by all that much, so I just did laps in the development. Cloud cover kept it nice for about the first six miles, and even when the sun came out there was a nice stiff breeze that kept me cool.

Also, I revised Thursday's run downward to 5 miles instead of 5.5. Google Earth says it's 2.75 miles to Target, but my truck's odometer says it's 2.5. I'm going to go with my truck on this one.

Fartleks on the Hills

Ran to Target and back tonight, 5.5 miles, and did some "speed play" on the hills. Since the sun was going down and the temp was cooler, today went much better than Tuesday's run. I felt really good, especially since the first few of my 2-3-4-3-2 fartleks fell on the downhill slopes. That last three minute part of it was pretty brutal, but I made it, and then the last two minute part was actually fun as I tried to make it to a certain point before time was up. All in all a good run over a course that used to seem so far.

Hot but Slow

Ran 5 miles today in 90+ degree weather, but took it slow and everything went fine. The breeze out of the southwest helped a lot. I think if I try to stay in the mindset of not getting the run done as quick as I can and resist the urge to pick up the pace I can do these runs in the hot weather. Tomorrow's run will probably be later in the evening due to a girls' softball game. I feel pretty good about today's outing, especially on the heels of the one yesterday.

Shortest Run

Today was my shortest run in a month, only 2.5 miles. In my defense, the temperature was 94 with a heat index of 97. In a neighborhood with no trees or shade, that's just brutal. Plus I did 14 minutes of a tempo run, although that wasn't as good as it should have been. It does tell you how slow I was going in those 14 minutes, though. This was one of those runs where I just didn't feel like I ever got it all together.

I learned another lesson, too. I started the tempo run going uphill against the wind. Bad idea. Next time I'll remember to turn around and do at least the first part on level or downhill ground. With all the aforementioned factors working against me I decided to cut it short and not push it. After yesterday's easy run I guess I was due for a less than average outing to even out everything. I'm disappointed I didn't run farther, but there's always tomorrow.

Easiest Four-Mile Run Ever

...at least for me, and at least to this point. After 12 miles on Saturday, today's run seemed relatively easy. And since I waited until after eight o'clock to hit the road when the sun was going down and the temperature had dropped steeply, the weather was pretty good as well. Back in the neighborhood, and back on track for that October marathon. Life is good.

An Even Dozen

Got up early this morning again, on a Saturday no less, and did the weekly long run. 12 miles this time, and I have to say it wasn't too bad. I didn't ever hit a wall, although there were times when my hips and knees felt a little out of sorts. After being away from home for a week I can feel the lack of knee, hip, and back exercises. Tomorrow (Sunday) we head back home and the running, as well as other forms of exercise, begin again on Monday. I added up the total and in the last four weeks I've run a total of 105 miles. Wow! Who would have thought?

Beating the Heat AND the rain

It's flooding down in Texas - that Stevie Ray song has been in my head a lot lately, and no wonder. It is WET down here! Fortunately I ran this morning and got my 4 miles in before it got hot and then started raining this afternoon. We did a little bit of touristy stuff this afternoon as well as some curriculum shopping with the wife. Tomorrow is a long run, which I'm actually looking forward to. I guess if you don't look forward to it you shouldn't be doing it.

More Running in Texas

This morning's run is brought to you from Longview, TX, where we are visiting my parents. They have a nice jogging/biking trail about a half mile from their house, and I ran the whole thing and back, which is 6 miles total. The weather was quite humid since this area has had a lot of rain, and that's always fun.

And just when you think the sweating is done, nooooo. Dad and I changed the brakes on the van and even though we had fans going in the garage, it was quite the sweat-fest. But hey, the brake light is off now!

Another Morning Run in Texas

Got up early this morning after being up until 12:30 a.m., and then ran 5 miles. Today was much better as far as temperature goes. The run included a 12-minute tempo run, which was actually kind of fun. My pace had been in the 11-12 minute range starting off, but I did about 9 minutes/mile during the tempo. Not superfast, but after starting so slow that was positively flying.

Today's vacation agenda included the following: run, smoke a brisket, and nap. I accomplished all three. With time left in the day, no less.

Vacation Running

I'm on vacation, and still running! Saturday morning in Tulsa I got up waaaaay early and ran at the RiverParks, and it was the longest run to date. 9 miles, but I do have to say it felt pretty easy because the path was level and the temperature was not nearly as hot at that time of day as when I've been running lately. I felt good afterward, although the nap later that morning also felt pretty good.

This morning I ran 4 miles in the Texas humidity. They've had more rain down here than we have in KC, and it sure felt like it today. If I can keep this up for the rest of the week I think I'll come out of this vacation in good shape.

Early Run

Got up early and tried to beat the heat, although I wasn't entirely successful since it was already pretty warm by 7 a.m. Ran 4.5 miles, including some fartleks, and let's just say I noticed a drop-off in the speediness of my speed play. With the heat taking its toll this week I think this warrants a break tomorrow, especially since it's a travel day to Tulsa. Saturday morning I plan on getting up early enough to run at the Riverside Park in Tulsa. We'll see how well this plan holds up!

Independence Day Run

The Yahoo weather page says it's 90 degrees and feels like 97. I'll vouch for that. We're supposed to get thunderstorms later and I want to start moving back my running so it's earlier in the day. Tomorrow I want to get up early and run before it gets hot. Today I took a new route for 3.75 miles. The first half is a gentle climb uphill, but gentle as it is it's still not level. I took Teri's iPod with me yesterday, but today it was just the sound of nature - which in this case was a bunch of cars. And some bird that didn't appreciate me running on the sidewalk. Don't worry, crazy bird. Your eggs or young ones are safe from me.

Hills and Heat

I should have gone later like I mentioned in yesterday's post. Silly me. 5.5 miles of ups and downs and a lot of heat and humidity. The sun went behind the clouds about 1.5 miles in, but the damage was done. At about mile 4 I walked for a few minutes because I was starting to get overheated. When all was said and done I also ran 6x100 strides just because I wasn't totally done in. Well, that did it. Couldn't run late because I took the girls to softball practice. Tomorrow's a holiday and I am sleeping late! And also trying to find a cool part of the day in which to run. We'll see how that goes.

A New Week

Started off this week with an easy 3.5 mile run. I'm kind of amazed because it seems like it actually takes about 2 miles to get into the rhythm of the run these days. Today was hot, upper 80s, with almost the same humidity. Calling it an easy run doesn't really do it justice, but I was glad that it wasn't a hard workout. Tomorrow night I might go running a little bit later to avoid some of the heat since it's supposed to be about a 6-miler.