Starting to Feel like a Runner Again

It's starting to become a very familiar pattern.  I finish up my fall marathon, flail around in November, half hearted running through the holidays with a short-lived commitment to train in earnest for the Meet of the Miles.  Same story this year, but what I have done is to maintain my base with better resolve.  Fifty and sixty mile weeks have been the norm, and they have come pretty easy.  Saturday morning's half marathon effort was proof of that.  I honestly didn't train for it, didn't even decide to run it for sure until 2 hours before the gun went off.  I ran hard on Thursday and even did a treadmill work out the night before the race, things I would never even consider had I been seriously planning a race.  So I toed the line, zero degrees , thinking I could run sub 1:30, but barely.  I ran the first 5 miles and was right on pace for 1:30.  As per usual, my miles got faster and faster, getting down to 6:25 for mile 10.  The last mile is a killer all up hill, but all in all a really solid effort.  I need to learn to trust my fitness and go out of the gates a little faster.  I've never been able to run a perfect half marathon.  I always feel that I leave too much on the course.  Anyway, good enough for a second place AG and more importantly, I feel like a runner again.

Happy Running!

Rick

Run, Work, Sleep, Repeat...

I sure picked the wrong year to commit to a running streak.  We are in the middle of a huge transition at work, which has me working 10 hours per day during the week and more hours during the week end than I would like to admit.  So, my week consists of getting ready for work, driving my daughter to school, commuting to work, put in a 10 hour day, fit in a run before dinner, then go to bed and do it all over again.  Don't get me wrong,  not complaining.  I'm very grateful that I am gainfully employed and that I'm healthy enough to run, but heck it's only January and this 20 day streak feels like 100!

Even with the work schedule, the running has gone well.  I'm around 60 miles per week and managing some pretty speedy tempo runs on Tuesday and Thursday.  Oh, and I managed a 5:33 mile at the Meet of the Miles on Monday night.  Good enough for a 11th place in the over 40 crowd and should get me first in my AG in the MDRA Grand Prix.  I have a half marathon to race next week-end.  Curious to see what the weather will be.  Certainly won't be fast in these temps.

Happy Running!

Winter Running

I could go on and on about the beauty of winter running.  In November and December, when the temps are still mild and the first snowfalls are fluffy, pretty and new.  Christmas and New Year's come and go and we find ourselves in January.  The wind picks up, the temps drop and that December fluffiness turns into rock hard ice and bitter cold.  I ran today with multiple layers in temps that barely broke zero with a cold, gusty wind out of the northwest that was downright painful.  Oh, I'll have some of those picturesque and pretty winter runs before this is all done, but right now spring training and running in shorts seems like a long ways away.

First race of the Grand Prix is tomorrow, the Meet of the Miles at the University of Minnesota field house.  I've been running well over the past few weeks, but haven't done enough of mile specific training to set a PR.  I do think I can break 5:30 though.

Happy Running!

Rick

Running Streak a Good Idea?

We are a week into 2013 and I have already realized how difficult a 365 day running streak is going to be.  Day one was fine, but on day two I got a phone call on my way to run club.  I had a family emergency to deal with and by the time everything was settled down it was already 8:30.  Do I scratch the streak on day two.  No, I put on my gear and ran 4 easy miles through the neighborhood.  Day 3 I was planning on going to the Metrodome for a tempo run, but my Outlook reminder popped up about 4:00 reminding me of an all company meeting and dinner at Mystic Lake.  Another late night run at Snap Fitness.  Wow, this is harder than it looks.

All in all, a good week.  Back into the mid 50's for mileage with some quality speed work to boot.  Finished the week with 10 bright, beautiful, sunny miles across Lake Minnetonka.  Absolutely gorgeous morning!

Happy Running!