At Last a Good Tempo Run

It helped that the temperature was cooler, I'd hydrated well all day, and that my allergy attacks seem to be in the rear view mirror. Went 5 miles total which included a 20-minute tempo run. Felt good, and went down the still closed new street. They're now saying it will be completed by Oct. 15th but looking at the state of the sidewalks they're slowly putting down, I'd say it would be a miracle. Liars.

A Tale of Three Cities

Wow, seems like forever since I updated this thing, but guess it's only been a week. During that time I've run in KC, Austin, and St. Louis. So let's review the runs in order.

Monday was a day for running here at home, a nice easy 5-miler. Nothing remarkable about it, other than it was nice to run in familiar surroundings.

Tuesday was another run along the Colorado River in Austin. I was going to do a 24-minute tempo run but ended up doing about 15 minutes in 90 degree heat. I think that surprised me a little because even though I went 6 miles the tempo run pretty much kicked my rear. One problem was lack of hydration. Since I had flow in that day I didn't drink as much as I usually do so I wouldn't have to spend the flights wearing out the carpet to the spacious restroom at the rear of the planes. I like Austin's running paths, though, and in some areas there was a nice amount of shade.

I skipped Thursday due to traveling home, and it was fortunate since I caught an earlier flight and made it home by 8:30 as opposed to my originally scheduled arrival at midnight.

Saturday's 14-mile run with Alan was in St. Louis along the Mighty Mississippi, a path I ran during last year's training. We started in the late morning hours and even though it didn't get horribly hot it was certainly warm enough to slow us down. Alan's heel was bothering him, so we shut it down and walked the last mile in order to live to run another day. Some shade along that route definitely would have been nice, but alas it seems to be more of a bicycle path than anything else. Not that they don't need shade, but I think there's a difference.

Today it was back home with a nice easy 5-mile run to Target. The air is cooler and fall is definitely on the way. I enjoyed the nice breeze. The next few weekends are some mighty big runs (18 and 20 miles), so I need to gear up mentally for those. Sleeping in my own bed after so many days on the road will be a good start.

A Run Between Austin Trips

Ran 16 miles this morning, starting out at 6:30. It was a great day for running, nice and cool early on with a taste of sunshine later in the run. I ran four times around the neighborhood, stopping after the third to down a gel pack and strap on the belt holding my bottles of sports drink. Not a bad experience, although I still felt a little slow in the latter part of the run. I know that will improve if I actually do my speedwork (intervals!) and as I finish a couple of 20-milers later on in my training schedule.

Austin - The Week in Review

Returned today from a business trip to Austin, where I undertook three runs of varying success. Let's review, shall we?

Monday I ran at the airport, since that's where my hotel was located. Threading through various dead ends and traffic, I managed 5 miles. The weather was beautiful the whole week, and Monday was a great start.

Tuesday was a day I almost didn't run. My allergies had kicked up a Texas-sized reaction, and I was miserable. But I decided long ago that allergies weren't going to impede the things I want to do, so I drove over to the Town Lake Trails near downtown. I ran 6 miles, including a 20-minute tempo run. What a great place to run! The trail was nice and wide in most places, although a bit hard to follow at times, and the shade was most welcome. I started near some softball fields and ran all the way to what looked like the heart of downtown Austin. If I lived in that area I would run there regularly.

Yesterday, Thursday, was another story. I think the allergies caught up with me since my body just seemed beat up. Or maybe it was the whole thing I have about intervals, because I was supposed to do five. Instead I ran 4 miles at the airport and only managed 2x800 intervals. I think I probably could have kept going. If you've ever suffered through two full days of an allergy attack with very little sleep at night due to said allergies, you know how achy and tired your body gets. That was how I felt Thursday, and even though I was hoping for a better run, I decided not to push it. I'll save that for tomorrow, when I'm due for a 16-miler.

I return to Austin next week where I should get in at least one run, and then it's off to St. Louis for the last weekend of the season. And a 14-mile run along the Mississippi. Hopefully the allergies will take a long hike while I do some more traveling.

Stormy

Since it's supposed to rain all weekend I figured I might as well get out and run this morning. It sprinkled and drizzled for about the first 6 miles, and was then mostly just misty the rest of the way. I went 12 miles total, stopping in at the house after the first 7 to change into dry socks and shoes.

I have to say that around mile 8 I hit a wall. I thought about it some and realized that in my long runs this go-around I've run at least 4-5 miles of them with the wife. This was the first long run I've taken at my pace, so I think that's what caused the bonk.

I explained that theory to the wife, and she didn't buy it. Oh well.

Running Underwater

At least it felt like running through water with how wet the atmosphere is today. We've had rain and it was lightly misting at times while I ran, which made me sweat like it was a hundred degrees outside even though the actual air temperature was closer to seventy. I went 6 miles total, with a bout of 5-4-3-2-1 fartleks. It was tough, but it was a good tough.

And new shoes in the mail today. I love new shoes! Once I break them in a little I can get them out on the road. Woo hoo!

What a Day to Run

Even if I wasn't a runner, I would have gone out and hit the streets today. The afternoons are starting to get that lower-in-the-sky sun look common to autumn, and today the temperature was right about 70 degrees. I went 5.5 miles and included 17 minutes' worth of a tempo run. It went pretty well considering that we had auditors in the center this morning and I was on my feet for three hours straight showing them around.

When I started the run my right knee was making me think I should turn around and go home, but I stopped, walked ten yards, and then started up again. After that it was fine. And the Old 97's "Blame It On Gravity" playing on my Nano probably didn't hurt, either.

Is It Fall Already?

Wow, 58 degrees, a chill breeze from the north, and rain spitting from the sky would make a person think autumn is already here. I was going to run further than 3 miles, but I didn't want to get all wet and court any sickness. Especially after enduring a bad allergy attack yesterday. Haven't had one like that in a long time.

Coming back up the hill by the pond my right knee "twinged," so I stopped running and walked for about fifteen seconds. When I picked back up again it was fine. Must be something about running uphill in the cold against the wind that does it for me. Let's hope that's not a trend.

Perfect Early Morning

Headed out at 6:30 this morning, and the fog was light but stuck around long enough to keep the sun from shining through. I ran 9 miles and then stopped at the house to pick up the wife, and ran another 4 with her. The temperature was probably in the mid to upper-50's, and it was absolutely perfect for a nice long run. Went without headphones and just enjoyed the early morning quiet.

The right knee, which had been hurting the other day, feels fine. I started off this morning on a level stretch of road and eased into the run, and I think that made all the difference. There was some slight tenderness right there at the beginning, but after the first quarter mile it wasn't a problem and I didn't really think about it again. Guess my caution with not pushing it on Thursday paid off today.

A Tale of Two Days

One day good, one day not so good. Let's start with the good one first. Because that's the way I roll.

Tuesday (and I can't believe it took me this long to post about that run, but I kept turning off the computer in the evening before posting) I ran 5 miles, which included a 15-minute tempo run. It was a run in the humidity, wind, rain, and uphill. Can't believe I had to do half of the tempo run uphill, but that's the way it worked out. Not a bad run, but I was surprised how incredibly humid it was. Plus the rain and wind kind of wore me out.

Today's was a little different. My right knee felt tender so I was looking for some level ground for the outing. I drove over to the local high school to run at the track, but there was a football game in progress. I drove back across the interstate and found some semi-level ground, but as I started running it was on a downhill slope and my knee just didn't feel too good. So rather than keep it going and risk injury, I stopped and called it a day. I want to complete my long run on Saturday, so today was a day for discretion. And level ground, which is in pretty short order in this part of the country.

Labor Day Outing

Went for a run this morning with the wife, who struggled a bit, so we ended up walking a little less than half of it. I went ahead to finish my run and then turned back to walk the rest of the way with her. I ended up going about 3.5 miles running and probably another mile of walking. She said she only drank coffee, root beer, and one glass of water yesterday, so she probably wasn't hydrated enough. And it was getting warm rather quickly while we were out. Kids, let that be a lesson to you!

Saturday Morning Run

Lovely run today with the lovely wife. I went 10, she went 5, and we listened to Dave Ramsey on our respective iPods. She was a couple seconds ahead of me on the audio and when she'd laugh I knew a good one was coming up soon on my own iPod.

Today was the first time I wore the belt she got me for my birthday (way back in February!) that has holsters for four water bottles. I really didn't like it at first and considered running back to the house and ditching it, but became more accustomed to it as we went along. And by the time I finished I was very glad I had it. I don't think those four bottles will do it for an entire 20-mile run, but for today and maybe runs a little bit longer it was fine.

Catching Up

Time to catch up on the runs from the last week. Spent the first half of the week in Chicago, so that's why I'm a little behind in posting.

First of all, last weekend was a bust. I was supposed to run 12 miles on Saturday but didn't due to rain in the morning and then spending the rest of the day at an air show (which was a daylong dose of flying goodness). I was going to run the next morning, but at about 5 a.m. I woke up and thought my legs were hurting from so much standing and walking around the day before. This proves the dictum that you should never make decisions about whether to get up or sleep late while your head is lying on a pillow and you're nice and comfortable under the comforter. What can I say about the weekend? I was lame.

After going to Chicago, though, things improved. Flew in on Monday, and the day was so nice I went out for a 5-mile run on Lake Shore Drive. Went south from Chicago Avenue all the way to the aquarium and natural history museum. It was a perfect day for a run.

Stayed out way too late on Tuesday night and thought about sleeping in again, but when I woke up about 5:30 I took the weekend's lesson to heart and got my lazy butt out of bed. This time I went north along the lake and actually enjoyed this route a little better. Hundreds of people were out in the early morning and the perfect weather running, biking, walking, and roller blading. I was getting passed by quite a few people until I got into a 12-minute tempo run, at which point I started smoking all the women who'd been passing me. Yeah, that's right, women. I'm not proud.

Tonight I got back on schedule and completed a 5-mile run with 2-3-4-3-2 fartleks. The temperature was 93 this afternoon, so I'm REALLY glad I waited until the evening. I wouldn't normally do speedwork on back-to-back days, but by doing it tonight I can run with my lovely wife on Saturday, which is the point of doing the same race together in October. Now that I'm back on track I'm feeling better. And the nice runs in Chicago didn't hurt, either. As much as I enjoyed the Windy City, I still hate the Cubs. Good pizza, non-lovable baseball team.

Hotter than Expected

The weather page on the web said 80 degrees, but by the time I was going and doing some speed work it seemed warmer than that. I went 5 miles and did 2-3-3-3-2 fartleks, and it was okay but just a little warm. I'm not going to complain, though, since by the time I run the full marathon in November I'll probably be yearning for warmer days like today.

An Easy Run That Was...Easy

The breeze was nice without being too strong on today's 4-miler, and I took it nice and easy up to Pleasant Valley Baptist Church and back. Starting yesterday afternoon I had a horrible pain in the back of my neck that went right up to the base of my skull. It bothered me all day today, but it seems as though the run helped me loosen up somewhat. Normally on Mondays I do some light barbell work that keeps the muscles in my back from barking at me, but today I skipped that part of the workout in favor of just running. Is this what getting old feels like?

Different Running Styles

Ran 9 miles today, the first couple being with the wife. A week on from her triathlon she's getting ready to start training for our October half-marathon. Have I mentioned that she totally rocks?

I've read before about how people treat their runs, with some going for rock 'em-sock 'em music to motivate, others for total silence, some for the company of running with another person, and then those who do it just because. Well, I discovered that today my awesome wife is one of the camaraderie type runners who likes to keep up a dialogue the whole way. Me, I can go 26.2 miles without music or talking to anyone. Just another way we're different, I suppose. And if we're going to go 13.1 together I guess we'll both have to adapt.

The Sun Came Out

Well, thank God the sun came out! Those temperatures in the mid-70's were just a little too cold. About halfway through tonight's 5-mile run and right when I began the first part of my 2-3-3-3-2 fartleks, the clouds skidded past and opened up the way for the sunlight to shine forth. Somehow I heroically persevered - okay, I struggled through the last half like a gold prospector in Death Valley with the vultures circling overhead - and arrived home to a rejuvenating sports drink and lovely dinner served by my even lovelier and rejuvenating wife. All the sarcasm might be a little much, though. After all, it is still August.

Running with Don

Today was much better since I ran in the evening after the heat of the day. Plus there was a little shade from the setting sun, which definitely helps! I went 5.5 plus 8x100, and felt very well at the end. This was definitely a good running day.

I'd heard a single on the radio a couple of days ago from Don Henley's classic The End of the Innocence, so that's what I queued up on the iPod for today's run. I realized as I was going along that this album came out almost 20 years ago. At that point I was 22 years old, a year away from college graduation, dealing with a girlfriend who drove me crazy, and living a life without much plan beyond getting a degree. Some of the lines from this album are more true than ever, such as the phrase "we're a nation of noses pressed up against the glass," and our celebrity-saturated culture makes 1989 seem quaint. Almost twenty years on I have a wife who totally rawks, four awesome kids, and a job I like. Times have changed, and I don't know if Don's life is any better, but as far as I'm concerned mine sure is

More Heat

It wasn't so much the heat as it was the sun beating down relentlessly. I'd planned to go 8 and ended up going 7.5 miles, but that included a couple of 4-5 minute walks up the big hills. I thought since the temp was only in the 80's and there was a slight breeze that it wouldn't be so bad, but I was wrong. I was worn out at the end of this one. I could have pushed it, but this early in the training plan it's not worth it. Plus I'd like to have an easy run tomorrow, and using all my energy today would have left me in bad shape for more than a day. We need some shade around here. God, could you please make these trees grow a little faster? Please?

Run in the Dark

The wife wanted to run about a mile last night in her last training session before Saturday's triathlon, so I started out with her and then continued on my own for a total of 5.5 miles. It was after 9 o'clock by the time I finished, but at least the temperature wasn't bad. I ran across some road construction and through a new neighborhood where the road has been finished but there's not much else to speak of yet. Once again the musical selection for the evening was Old 97's, which continues to be just darn good running music. At some point you'd think I'd get tired of them but so far that hasn't happened.

With the triathlon tomorrow I'm planning on doing my long run on Sunday morning before church. I'm proud of the little woman and all the hard work she's put in during the past several months. We have to get up at 5 a.m. to head to the lake, but since I've made the family get up early for my races I don't think I have a whole lot of room to complain. She's awesome!