Boston Quest

Wed, Jan 07, 2009

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Showed up at the Y at 5:24. Keith, Raj, and eventually Dixie showed up. Ran a short warm up while waiting for Dixie then set out on our run. My smartcoach plan said to do 4 miles at 6:48. The group usually does about a 7:00 pace so I figured that would be reasonably close enough and I could always pick up the pace for the last mile. Instead, they wanted to do a 7:20 pace. So, as a compromise I decided I would do the first three with them at 7:20 pace and then do 2 more on my own at the 6:48 pace.

The weather was warm (71 degrees) and humid (about 90+%). After about a 1.5 mile warm up we started at the 7:20 pace. With the weather, it didn't feel so easy and I was having some doubts about picking up the pace on my own after three miles. Fortunately, the pace soon felt better and once the first 3 miles were done, it was not a problem to pick up the pace. In fact, I felt really good at that point and found myself at a faster ...

Tue, Jan 06, 2009

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Met up with Dixie at the Lansbrook Y at 6:00. Old meeting spot (7-11) is being torn down. Due to the new meeting spot, varied our route a little bit from the usual Tuesday run but still stopped at the lake park for water. It was foggy this morning but the temp was very nice for running.

Mon, Jan 05, 2009

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100

It felt good to get a run in this morning since I missed last Monday's run. I went to the Y where it was pretty crowded although not us much as I thought it would be. After some of the usual warm up stuff I got onto a treadmill for 3.21 miles at about a 8:19 pace, then headed outside.

I ran outside for another 5.23 miles for a 7:24 average pace. I didn't look at the pace while I was running. I felt a little bit fast now and then so I told myself this wasn't a race and would slow down just enough to hear more relaxed breathing. I ended up with three miles at 7:10 or less.

I wanted to get in at least 8 today since I need to start thinking about training for Boston. It would be nice if I could just run without a plan, but a plan is like a roadmap and it can aid you in knowing whether you are on the right route or not. It doesn't mean that you can't take a detour here or there or stop to look at something interesting. In the end the journey ...

Sat, Jan 03, 2009

Sat, 03 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Beautiful morning in Starkey park. Started out at 6:00 with Keith, Raj and Tim for an easy paced 7 miles, out and back on the bike trail. Met some more people in the parking lot for a bigger group. David, Randy, Jorge, and Eric among others.

Started running with Eric for the second leg where we picked up the pace from 8:13 to 7:31 to 7:18. At 3.5 out I had to turn back as I was on a tight time schedule this morning. Said goodbye to Eric but kept on the pace that we had gotten into. Last 4 miles at about a 6:52 average. Pace felt hard at first but I got used to it and was able to keep going.

Average pace: 7:56

I didn't blog until late at night. I had a lot more details to write, but when you don't write the down right away they kind of slip away. After the run we went to Orlando to see my niece in an Irish dancing competition. It was very interesting to watch and great to finally see her dance. After ...

Fri, Jan 02, 2009

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Kept it easy and simple this morning. Just a little bit over 5 miles on the treadmill at the Y at about an 8:05 average pace. Did the bike, and some stretching before hand and a few sets of weights after the run. Felt much better today than yesterday.

Saw a few people I knew and said hi. It wasn't too crowded today. I imagine this Monday will be packed with people starting out the year right. In some ways it's a little annoying when it is so crowded with all of those "New Year's resolution people", but some of them actually stick with it.

I know that I did, about 9 years ago!

Thu, Jan 01, 2009

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100

New Year's Day run at David's house with lots of running friends. Run felt difficult on the way out even though we were all running an easy pace. I guess no one was in a hurry to go fast. Stopped at the turn around spot briefly then headed back. Run felt better on the way back. The first half average was 9:13, the average for the total run was 8:35.

Keith, Bob, Eric, Nelson, Joe, David, Raj and myself as well as some of the beautiful Strider's women were there.

Wed, Dec 31, 2008

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Slept in a little bit later this morning. Made it to the Y by 7:00 then warmed up on the bike and did a little bit of stretching. 3.21 miles on the treadmill @ about 8:25 pace, then headed outside.

Very nice low 50's with the sun just up. Did about 3 miles around Kinsmere, making sure not to look at my pace while I was running. Ended up at 3.22 miles @ 7:31 pace with last mile at 7:07 pace.

I saw that Jenny's van was parked next to my truck. I went back inside the Y and found her on one of the treadmills so I got on the one next to her and ran another mile. It was good to see her running because on Saturday sometime after the run she pulled an abdominal muscle or something like that. It's so worrisome when you get an injury so close to a marathon after training so dilligently. It was also good to run next to her today because it is our wedding anniversary. Happy anniversary Jenny!

Tue, Dec 30, 2008

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100

My brother Jim is in town staying with my parents. He came by our house this morning at 6:30. We went out for an 8 mile run. Run was going well until about 5.5 miles when he felt his calf cramp up and then start hurting. Combination of running on Saturday afternoon followed by 24 hours straight in a car probably contributed to this.

Since the pain was getting worse, I ran ahead and came back in the truck. Picked up the pace for the last two and a half miles, with the last two right at 6:50 pace.

Average pace: 8:11

Until he had to stop, I noticed that this run was night and day from when we last ran together this past spring.

Mon, Dec 29, 2008

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Recovery after a very long but fun day at Epcot the day before resulting in a return home time just before midnight. Sorry to miss a Monday run as they feel like the "breakfast" of running. I'll try not to let it happen again.

Sat, Dec 27, 2008

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100

12 miles with my beautiful wife Jenny on a beautiful morning in Starkey park. Weather was perfect especially at the start, slightly warmish by the time we finished. Ran a pretty steady pace throughout with a pick up the last 2 miles.

Average pace: 9:16

Fri, Dec 26, 2008

Fri, 26 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100

These miles were all run at an easy pace but they were not all easy. Ankles and shins especially in my left leg were very tight. I stopped a couple of times early on to stretch out. Eventually I was able to keep going and it eventually turned into a pretty good run. Weather was great, although temps were creeping back up slightly.

I ran down the old road to Trinity Blvd. and then into Thousand Oaks neighborhood, with a loop around Kinsmere before heading back.

Average pace: 8:17

Had a great day later on with a trip to the beach where the water was calm and clear. Felt cold at first but you got used to it quickly. Kids had a great time.

Wed, Dec 24, 2008

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100

RUNNING WITH JENNY PART 2 - THE TRACK

Another very nice morning for running, warmer than yesterday (a few more degrees and it might have gotten into mildly uncomfortable). We went to the track today, this was the first time going for Jenny since high school. Jenny's sister Amy also came with us (she likes running loops :) ). We ran into Keith and Dixie in the parking lot and talked with them for a few minutes before heading across the field to the track.

We did a 1.5 mile warm up then started on her 1600's, goal was 4 X 1600 @ 7:37

She did really well getting the job done, no complaining, just kept going. I tried to keep us on an even pace but we would seem to get a little faster on the last lap and sometimes both the third and 4th lap.

Splits were: 7:32, 7:26, 7:26, 7:24

We did 800 jogs in between the 1600's. After ...

Tue, Dec 23, 2008

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Special treat today! I was able to run with Jenny. Since Jenny's sister and her family are here we can both go out at the same time without making kid arrangements. I went with her on her usual 6 mile route (my seven year old calls them "trouts"). We chatted the whole way and kept a pace that felt good for both of us. We had briefly considered going to the Y this morning and running side by side on treadmills. That would have been silly since it really was not that cold out at all, just under 50 with a slight breeze.

Average pace: 9:16

Tomorrow I will go with her to the track where she has to do 4 X 1600 @ 7:37 and a total run of 8 miles with warm up and cool down.

Mon, Dec 22, 2008

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Cool and slightly breezy, right at 50 degrees. Just warm enough for sleeveless shirt and shorts after warming up inside first. Went to the Y, did bike warm up, core and stretching then hopped on the treadmill for 4.22 miles at about an 8:15 pace.

Then headed outside for another 4.05 miles at 7:34 pace average. Run felt good with the cool but not cold weather.

Quick cool down on the elliptical and then some leg extensions and lat pull downs.

About a mile into the outside portion of my run, I was entering into a neighborhood, on either side of the road at one point are ponds and swampy areas. I saw a river otter run across the road to get to the other pond, I continued running and his friend started to cross, I had gotten closer and I think we almost crashed into each other. The second on kind of looked at me and showed its teeth at me, not quite as friendly looking as I normally see them when in the zoo and behind glass! But still, pretty ...

Sat, Dec 20, 2008

Sat, 20 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Today was a great race. I had been looking forward to this race since Jenny signed us up for us. It was going to be flat, not too crowded and a straight out and back on the bike trail in Starkey park where I run all the time. Well, it turned out it wasn't completely on the bike trail, there was a loop around the park with a smaller out and back on the bike trail. But it was still very flat.

We arrived at the park a little bit after 7:15, found some parking and picked up our race numbers. There was a dense fog this morning that made driving there take just a little bit longer (maybe a minute or two). The air was nice and cool but it was very humid from the fog. In the parking lot I heard someone say to someone else "oh, you just ran a 2:59 marathon? congratulations". Well, looked like I would have some competition. I wasn't looking to win or even come in the top 3, just a good PR and maybe an age group award.

I did a short ...

Thu, Dec 18, 2008

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Nice run by myself this morning on an out and back course from my house to Starkey Blvd. bike trail. Ok, beginning of the run was not so nice, shins tightened up and easy pace didn't feel so easy, but was better after 3 miles. It was warmer this morning but foggier so it still felt cool.

The turnaround point was the nicest part of the run to see a little bit of sun coming through the breaking fog and tall pine trees.

Picked up last mile to just under 7:10 pace.

Average pace: 7:51

Wed, Dec 17, 2008

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Mini tempo run with Dixie this morning at the Y. Met up at 6:00, warmed up a little bit then started out at an easy pace for about 1.8 miles. Did the 3 mile loop around Kinsmere including some side streets. Pace felt pretty good especially after the first two miles.

Splits were: 6:58, 6:55, 6:54

Backed it down and then ran back to the parking lot at an easy pace. Another very nice morning for running, about 62 degrees and just a hint of fog.

Back in the parking lot, I looked down and saw a dime, picked it up and saw that it was from 1966, the year I was born. Coincidental since tomorrow is my birthday!

Tue, Dec 16, 2008

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Ran this Dixie this morning, met up about 6:00 at the 7-11. The 7-11 was closed up and is about to be torn down to make way for a drug store. Probably pick a new meeting place pretty soon. We ran a slightly different route, but still hit the lake park in Lansbrook and did a short loop through John Chestnut park. Very nice weather again for running this morning.

First 3.3 miles were slower at 9:12 average pace. Picked things up after that to end up with an 8:32 average for the entire run.

In other news I've signed up for two half marathons. The first one is the Clearwater half marathon on January 18th. This is the closest thing to a "hilly" marathon, it's out and back with two big bridges each way.

Also, I have signed up for the Canyonlands half marathon in March. I work with a guy that mainly works from his home in ...

Mon, Dec 15, 2008

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Went to the Y this morning. Did 3.28 miles on the treadmill at about an 8:20 pace. Then, headed outside for 4.04 miles at 7:48 pace. The weather was very nice this morning.

Sun, Dec 14, 2008

Sun, 14 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100

SPECTATOR REPORT

GULF BEACHES HOLIDAY HALFATHON 2008

(See Jenny's report for runner's perspective. )

Well, I didn't run today but my wife did. I volunteered to drag around the kids and cheer her on (actually the kids were very good so I didn't have to do any dragging. I have run this race the past two years and was tempted to run it again this year. My parents were willing to watch the kids but I thought this might be fun, and I actually had a really great time.

We left our house nice and early about 5:45, and arrived a little after 6:30 in Madeira Beach by the town hall. Jenny and her friend Jodi already had their race numbers but still had to grab their timing chips. Things looked like they were going pretty smoothly. After they got their chips, I ...

Sat, Dec 13, 2008

Sat, 13 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Met up with some of the guys at the Y this morning for some 800's. Keith, Dixie, Raj and myself were there. It was a cool 42 degrees and a little windy so it felt a bit cooler. We warmed up with 2 easy miles then headed over to the track.

Plan was for 6 X 800 @ 3:00 each. This is probably about the second time of doing 800's this year. Getting ready for the 5K next week. Probably won't do these again for a while since it will be back to marathon training pretty soon. It was also fun to do something a little bit different just to keep things interesting. It's harder to keep interest when things get too routine.

Anyways, the track work went pretty well with splits of:

2:55, 2:58, 3:00, 3:01, 3:02, 2:57

Raj ran with me for most of the first one and all of the last one. He did the rest of them with Keith and Dixie who were right behind me. Last 800 felt good but hard. Not sure what happened on the 4th and 5th, not ...

Fri, Dec 12, 2008

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Felt a little back to normal today compared to yesterday. I went to the Y, did some usual warm up stuff and then ran 3.13 miles on the treadmill at about an 8:15 pace.

Headed outside where it was cool (but not cold), a little breezy and some light rain towards the end. Felt pretty good running, did 3.12 miles at a 7:48 average pace.

Back inside for some weights.

My back had been bothering me a bit for a while, now that is clearing up. Seems to have been fixed by NOT skipping weights but going a little bit lighter.

Knees were bothering me a little bit at the start of the run as well as some PF in my right foot. These are all minor irritations that I can live with but should work on clearing them up before any of them get worse.

Thu, Dec 11, 2008

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100

5.12 miles on the treadmill at the hotel. Felt salted so it was a little bit slow going but I felt much better at the end of the run.

About 8:45 pace

Tue, Dec 09, 2008

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Ran with Dixie this morning. Run through Lansbrook neighborhood to the lake park and then back with a final loop into John Chestnut park by the boat ramp. High 50's was perfect weather. Left knee was bothering me a bit, started acting up sometime last week on one of the days when it was cold. Slight improvement over yesterday when both knees were a little achy at the start.

Average pace: 8:24

Day off from running tomorrow due to early morning travel, Thursday treadmill at the hotel and then I'll make up some miles on Friday which I usually take off from running.

Mon, Dec 08, 2008

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100

It was chilly but not freezing cold this morning. I felt sluggish at first from a long day of fun yesterday at Busch Gardens and then out to dinner on the way home. So, it was good to get my week back on track. Went to the Y and warmed up inside on the bike and then did 4.12 miles on the treadmill at about an 8:15 pace.

Headed outside, and waited for my garmin to lock onto a signal which seemed to take forever. Did another 3.15 miles without looking at my pace until I was finished. Averaged 7:35 outside with the fasted mile 7:13.

Felt ready for the day.