Chasing 3 Hours: A Little Bit of Everything this Week

Chasing 3 Hours: A Little Bit of Everything this Wwek: Had a pretty decent running week.  I finally managed to break the 40 mile barrier for the first time since Twin Cities.  Now forty is no big...

A Little Bit of Everything this Week

Had a pretty decent running week.  I finally managed to break the 40 mile barrier for the first time since Twin Cities.  Now forty is no big deal, but I did manage some quality as well.  Tuesday night was a fairly aggressive tempo run, where I managed to get down in the low 6:30's for a few miles.  Wednesday night I had the Williston crew do a mile time trial, just as a measure to gauge their fitness before we begin training for the Meet of the Miles in January.  They convinced me to do one as well and I was  happy with my 5:28.  Well, it's along way from 5:00, but I am thinking a goal of 5:15 is aggressive enough.  I wasn't done yet.  I finished off the racing season by doing Rocky's Run at the U of M Golf Course, finishing the 6k in 24:41.  It's a tough course and we had lot of wind today, which made it extra challenging.  As usual, I went out too fast, (6:10 for the first mile) and paid for it the rest of the course, running the next miles in 6:35 and 6:40.  Tried to find another gear for the last 200 yards, but there was nothing there. I may still do a Turkey Trot, but that should it do it for the year.  Now it's just a slow, easy and gradual build up of mileage to January when I will start my Boston training.  Can't wait.

Happy Running,
Rick

Chasing 3 Hours: Inspiration Strikes!

Chasing 3 Hours: Inspiration Strikes!: Well, it finally happened!  After very little running since October 4th, stepping away from my blog and barely thinking out running, inspira...

Inspiration Strikes!

Well, it finally happened!  After very little running since October 4th, stepping away from my blog and barely thinking out running, inspiration happened!  I was thinking that I may have needed some more time than usual away from the rigors of running, but all it took was some time well spent yesterday afternoon.  My daughter invited me to watch some of her friends run in the MIAC Cross-Country Championships at Como Park.  I was ambivalent, as I had a lot to do and let's face it, the weather was far from stellar yesterday.  I am so glad I went; it's been ages since I went to a race as a spectator, and this was a wonderful event.  Hundreds of young female runners, grimacing, fighting, pushing, struggling through cold, swampy, windy and muddy conditions to finish the 6K course.  Then it was the guys turn, same determination and fight, even had 6 runners go down at the start in the standing water of Como Park Golf Course, causing a false start.  Saw a few runners hurl, many in obvious pain, saw snot covered faces, and lots of muddy legs.  It was fantastic.  I have never wanted to run so badly in all my life.  Wished I could have joined them, but yeah, that would have been weird!

I will get my turn next week at Rocky's Run at the U of M Golf Course, however.  I think this will be my 7th time running this event.  I missed it last year.  It's a cross country race to raise money for the Women's U of M CC team.  So, next Sunday it will be my turn to be grimacing.  Can't wait.

Happy Running!
Rick