Kansas City Marathon

Today was the Kansas City Marathon. I did not run it this year, nor did I run the half. I did run 6 miles on my usual neighborhood route after most of the half runners were probably done down at the race course, and about the time the people who run my pace would have been crossing the finish line. It was a beautiful day for it. The temperatures were below 40 degrees at the start of the race and only into the mid-40s when the sun came out. My run, personally speaking, went well and I just kind of coasted along listening to music, enjoying the sunshine, and grateful that my baseball team is going to the World Series again this year. My pace ended up about 9:12/mile, and considering I wasn't trying to run fast that seems like a pretty good time.

Change Up

I decided to change things up today and run a different route than normal. So instead of a left turn at the end of the street I took a right and ran through the neighborhood, over an unfinished dirt road that's in the process of being paved, and through another community to a main east-west street. For the most part of the 6 miles I ran roads I don't normally navigate, but at some point I crossed into the familiar for a little bit. My overall pace was 9:12, which again wasn't bad. The cooler temperatures are certainly helping. I like this weather and I'm just trying to enjoy it before real-life cold snaps hit us.

Windy and Cooler

Yesterday was a holiday and today was my normal bi-weekly day off. I spent the weekend at the Irish Festival in Weston, and running just didn't fit into the schedule. I was expecting an easy recovery run today, but the lower temperatures played into my hands. Or feet. Or whatever. My pace for the 6-miler ended up at 9:02/mile. I have to say I wasn't trying to run that fast, going with whatever felt right, but it ended up being pretty fast. Relatively speaking, of course. The breeze was quite stiff out of the northwest. The sun was shining the whole way and since I ran in the early afternoon I didn't see any other runners out and about, big surprise. It was a pretty good run although I probably could have done better or maybe even faster if not for the indulgences over the weekend. I'm not Irish but I can act like one.

Anniversary Run

Today is the 21st anniversary of marrying my bride, and she was nice enough to allow me enough time to run. When I got home she was out in back in her hammock, and she said it was such a nice day that it would be a waste if I didn't get to run. And so I did, a nice easy 6 miler. My average pace ended up being 9:20/mile even though it felt slower. And I tried to keep it that way since the temperature was about 80 degrees. I knew I needed to run since we were going out for dinner and that would be a nice big calorie bomb. Happy to get a run in today, but even happier to be married to a woman I not only love but also like.

Faster Than I Should Have

I was pumped for today's run since it was so gorgeous outside and I needed to relieve some work stress. Once again I went out faster than I should have, but similarly I went with what felt right. The temperature was 73 degrees, sunny, and slightly breezy. Right at the end of the work day I developed a horrible stiffness in my neck on the left side, and the run did a lot to alleviate that pain. Even though it wasn't my explicit goal setting out, I ended up beating the time for my last 6-mile run by about six seconds. I probably wouldn't have except when I passed by the neighborhood a woman ran out and then crossed the street to run in front of me. Since I don't want to be the weirdo who runs behind a female runner for several miles, I passed her within a quarter mile and kept going at about the same pace except for the big hills. When I reached my turnaround point and headed toward home she was nowhere in sight, but that didn't affect my pace. By the end it was kind of pushing it to stay at that pace, but overall it felt good. Even though I like summers the best climate for running are the seasons on either side.

Fall is Here

This morning the temperature was 54 degrees at run time. I set off too quick, although it ended up not being a problem. I repeatedly tried to throttle down but ended up going with a pace that felt good. At the end of my 6-mile run my overall pace was 9:07/minute. Not bad for the first real run under autumn weather. It was cloudy when I started since a front passed through last night, but the sun came out and helped keep me warm from the slight breeze. I felt really good afterward and especially in taking advantage of cooler temps.

I didn't run Thursday due to a playoff game that turned out to be worth it. The weather that day was pretty nice as well but the timing just wasn't right.

Old Socks

I didn't run this weekend. We were busy, but mainly I was just lazy. It rained Saturday morning and I could have run, and I should have. I was exhausted from work and it would have done me good to run, but I opted out. Bad Randy.

Today was a different story. I felt good and was glad to get out on a nice day. It was 86 degrees, kind of warm, but I forgot my Garmin and just went with whatever pace felt good. Several times I slowed myself down. A little over a mile from the end I switched sides of the road and ended up about twenty yards in front of a guy I hadn't seen until I crossed over. It was probably good for me since it felt almost race-like to stay in front of him. I actually noticed my posture improved and I didn't worry so much about my gait.

I did have an episode with the socks I wore. I should have left them at home, in the trash, but I tried to get one more run out of them, and that was a mistake. The sock on my right foot had a hole on my right instep, up toward the front, and I felt it developing into a hot spot about 2.5 miles into the 6-miler. At 4 miles I stopped and pulled off my right shoe, trying to adjust but it didn't really help. I have two small blisters and it kind of hurts a little still. Moral of the story: just throw away the old socks.

I Expected Better

I thought today would be a pretty good run, even though it was warmer than a few days ago. I was wrong. It was a struggle from the start and I walked three times. I probably could have run through the whole thing, but I also believe in not killing myself needlessly. Tuesday I thought the problem was the blood donation on Sunday, but today I was thinking it might be because I haven't done any weight work in two weeks. Since I hurt my shoulders at the rock climbing gym I've taken time off to recover before starting up again with the dumbbells. I think that's affected my upper-half form because it felt like it was falling apart today. I think I'll start up again on Monday with the weights and hopefully get back to normal.

Post-Donation

I gave blood on Sunday and haven't really noticed any effects until this afternoon. In fact, it felt the past few days like I hadn't donated at all. I was ready for a run today, but I quickly noticed a little fatigue and slowness. I'd planned on doing some speedwork for the first time in a while, and that's what I did. I threw in some fartleks during the course of my 6-miler, speeding up for 4-5 street light poles each time. I didn't run terribly fast, but enough to get down to an 8-minute pace for a few seconds. I also got chicked - twice by the same woman - who totally blew by me when I was shuffling along at 10 minutes/mile. That's okay. I bet she didn't give blood a couple of days ago.

Perfect

This morning the weather was perfect. I left the house around 9 o'clock and ran 6 miles under a clear sky. There was just the tiniest amount of a breeze, and the temperature was about 60 degrees. While I saw a few people out running and walking I expected to see more. Maybe there were out earlier. Whatever the case, I had a great run and felt outstanding. I could easily have gone another two miles or more, but this brought my weekly mileage to 21 and I saw no reason to push it. I hope next Saturday is nice and maybe a will add on a few more to the long run.

Short

Took off for run this afternoon that turned out to be only 3 miles. I planned on going more, but a big front was moving in and storms were on the way. In addition, I had a flat tire on the way to work this morning and struggled with it for way too long. I hate the jacks they put in modern vehicles. I cranked and cranked on it and it got to the point where it didn't move any higher. I finally called The Wife and had her bring the floor jack to me. Within thirty seconds I had the tire finally lifted high enough to remove it after struggling with it for half an hour. Nothing like trying to change a tire on the shoulder of an Interstate highway during rush hour traffic. Anyway, that wore me out and was no help to the shoulder I injured last Friday night. In fact, it set me back quite a bit, and no telling when I'll be able to exercise again. The run was a slog through 90 degree temps and a lot of humidity. In reality it was probably for the best since I'm running four times this week and cutting this run short keeps my overall mileage down.

Two Days in a Row

Another run out of the norm, but really only because I ran yesterday. Today is my normal running day (Tuesday) so it wasn't that far from normal. It rained off and on all morning and into the early afternoon, but by running time it was mostly sunny and humid. I started out with the same cadence as yesterday but by the end of the first mile my knees were hurting. I decided it might be better to ease into this thing so I settled back to my normal rhythm. That seemed to work although I felt a slight twinge at times. I ran the whole 6 miles with the last couple being with the wind at my back - which makes it sweatier since nothing evaporates off my face or front. Nevertheless I made it and felt pretty good. My shoulders are still hurting from the rock climbing last Friday so not sure yet what I'm going to do about my off-day exercises. I suppose I can still do the ankle weight routine, but anything involving the shoulders probably needs to wait.

The Rare Monday Run

I ran today because I didn't run Saturday. Friday was a really stupid day at work and then I spent the evening at a rock climbing place with The Boy. All that combined with a dose of ragweed conspired to give me a nice allergy attack Friday evening, and all day Saturday I felt like crap. I've been pretty fortunate so far this year but Saturday was not good. The body aches and general feeling of being drugged stayed with me all day. I meant to go for a run at various times but just couldn't drag myself to do it. I felt better yesterday and again thought about running but never made it out the door. This morning the sky was cloudy after some overnight rain and the air seemed clear. I went out for a 6-miler and felt great, and still do. I'm hoping this weekend was the worst of allergy season.

I finished Born to Run and did a little more research on barefoot running. I don't think it's for me, although I can see the potential benefits along with the possible side effects. The joy of running is what I'm focusing on from the book, and I think somewhere in there it also talked about cadence. I tried that on my run this morning and concentrated on 180 steps/minute. I checked several times with my Garmin and found that I was able to maintain that rate of footfalls for most of the run, even on the hills. When I started out I felt like I was running in place, but that was okay. I ran a little faster today, 9:17/mile, but I attribute that to the 61 degree temperature than I do the change in cadence. I'm going to keep trying and might have to find a metronome for the iPod or some mp3 that has a beat at that rate.

Lake Shore Running

Spent the first half of the week in Chicago and got up early on Tuesday for a run alongside Lake Michigan. It was sunny and humid, and promised to be a hot day. Still, I enjoy that route quite a bit and it ranks in my top five places that I've run so far. Runners and bikers were out in full force. The hotel was north of the Chicago River and a few blocks west of the lake. I ran south past the Navy Pier and around the backside of the aquarium and then the planetarium. Not many were on the part of the lake, and I ran until the concrete petered out. Funny, I forgot to start my GPS when I started and didn't get it going until over a half-mile into the run. I ended up running about 6.15 miles. When I returned to the hotel I was going up to my floor by myself, but then the car stopped on the second floor where the restaurant is located, and three people had to share my stink in the small car. I almost apologized but skipped it since they were enjoying breakfast while I was out sweating.

Today was a pretty hot run at home with the temperature in the upper 80s. It wasn't bad compared to some of the scorchers we've had lately, but I still took my water bottle with me. I ran 6 miles and only walked two minutes on the hill by the golf course. It was an enjoyable run and I only saw three other people out enjoying the day.

Yesterday at the airport I had to buy a new book since I'd finished the book I took with me as well as the new issue of Runner's World. I ended up buying Born to Run. I've heard about this book in the pages of the aforementioned magazine and probably should have borrowed it from the library rather than overpaying for a paperback version, but I was in Chicago and the library was in KC. Nevertheless I devoured the first half of the book by the time the plane landed. The adventure and the writing reminds of Into Thin Air, which I need to re-read. I won't be running barefoot, by any means. The message I've taken away so far is the joy of the ultrarunners in the book. That translated into a few attempts to smile on today's run, which was mildly successful. Guess it needs more work.

Still Humid, Too

This morning I woke up earlier than planned, but that's okay since it allowed me to get out for a run before the day heated up. There were quite a few other exercisers out in the 8 o'clock hour, apparently with the same thought I'd had. I ran 6 miles and ended up at a 9:37/mile pace. Even thought the temperature wasn't bad it was sunny and the humidity made its presence felt. Looks like summer is going to hang around for another week or so, and that's okay with me. I still haven't settled on a late fall/winter race other than wanting to do a couple of 5k races with the family.

Hot Still

I thought we were done with the hottest of the hot weather, but not quite. It's actually supposed to be in the upper 90s again this weekend. Today was about 90 degrees and I took the water bottle with me again. When I walked down to the end of the block I saw a helicopter hovering around the north part of the neighborhood. On my way home two police cars had sped past me with emergency lights and sirens going. So on my run I decided to head north and see if there was anything to see. There wasn't. I did discover a dirt road that will soon be paved, connecting to the next neighborhood up. I ran through there, back around the elementary school, and down the hills to the traffic circles. I walked a couple of times for two minutes each in order to cool down, and decided today was going to be a timed run rather than a distance run. I still went 5 miles and was outside for right about an hour. That seems the way to do it and hopefully I can remember that next year as well.

Noon Run

This morning I was going to get up at a decent time and run earlier in the day since I'm off work. That didn't pan out. Instead I got up about 9:30 and started my run at 11:15. Normally running in the middle of the day like that isn't the best idea, but the heat has broken and it was around 80 degrees. The killer was the constant sunlight, but it still wasn't too bad. I blew off my Saturday run due to extreme laziness. Today I was back to doing a 6-miler and it went okay. I walked up the golf course hill, where the city workers congregated to remove more dead roadside trees. If you take away the walking my pace was around 9:30/mile. I probably should have had more liquids before I left the house but I still made it. Lesson learned for next time, if I remember.

100

It was 100 degrees outside when I left work, and only marginally cooler on the outskirts of town where we live. I decided with that sort of temperature it was best to shoot for 4 miles and that seemed to be about right given that I'm also trying to keep the time outside shorter. I continued the 8/2 practice and ran the hillier part of my route because it also has more shade. This stuff is supposed to break on Monday. Don't know if I'll run or not on Saturday mainly because I don't feel like getting up early again. I saw a couple of cyclists today but no other runners. Weenies.

Another Delayed Post

Ran again yesterday with the temperature at about 95 degrees. I did the 8/2 running/walking thing again and once more it worked very well. I was shooting to be out for 60 minutes and that was about right if I included the walk at the beginning. My total ended up being 5 miles and that seems a good distance in the heat. At times it felt like I was trying to get in as little distance as possible but that's okay. It's supposed to stay hot through the weekend, which means more run/walk sessions.

I Ran Yesterday

Even though it was Saturday I got up early to run before the day got hot. And I'm glad I did. A bunch of other people were out as well. I ran 8 miles and felt pretty good afterward. That gets me up to 20 miles again for the week (or close to it if you're keeping track at home, but I'm going by effort to make up the quarter-mile that I didn't technically run). It's supposed to be hot again this week, and up to 98 degrees by next Saturday. This is like earlier this year, except it was Winter that kept appearing after Spring made an appearance for a few days. Last week it was almost Autumn-like, whereas this weekend and next week we're back to Summer. As I've said before, though, you won't catch me complaining about the heat. Bring it!