Feeling Better

I still have not decided what it is I want to do. But, it was fun to go out tonight without the impending long run hanging over my head. I will run long this weekend. But, not 18 miles. So, I had the rare opportunity (maybe not so rare anymore) to run fast. Lots of fun and I really got to enjoy my run tonight. Apparently, running doesn't have to be a chore... :)

Run recap- 3 miles, 25:52, 8:38 pace

Sub 4 hour 7 miler...

What a night!! I finally did it, sub 4 hours for 7 miles!!

Ok... ok... that's not really it. I decided last minute (about .2 miles into my run) that I was going to test out my goal pace for the marathon on my 7 miler tonight. That goal is under 4 hours (or about 9:13ish pace).

So, after clipping off a comfortable 9:17 first mile as a warmup, I really turned it up. The next mile came in at 9:07 and I was thinking, "huh, this isn't so bad". Then, I came in under 9 minutes at 8:57 for the third mile. I wasn't really trying to run this fast, but since it was going ok I continued.

The fourth mile came in almost identical at 8:58 and I was really cruising along now. Then, I turned in an 8:54 fifth... Here's where it really got interesting. Since I was in my sixth mile, I was trying not to pay much attention to the Garmin. I thought it might help me zone out for a bit. Mission accomplished. I looked down at the Garmin and I had run just over half a mile and I was pacing for a 9:44 mile!!! Yikes!

Then, I quickly went into recovery mode. I didn't make it this far into the run to throw a bad split in there towards the end. So, I turned it up and then looked back down at my watch to see if I was making up ground. I certainly was.... I had knocked the pace down to 8:34 in a quarter mile. Either that means I was running at the speed of light, or I had misread the Garmin and it originally said 8:44, not 9:44. So, I wasn't behind at all.

Anyhow, I finished that mile in an astounding 8:24 and rode that momentum all the way to the end for an 8:25 final mile. Pretty impressive workout indeed.

Run recap- 7 miles, 1:02:02, 8:52 pace

Crash and Burn

On Saturday, I went out for a 5 mile "fast" run as part of my 5k training plan. I felt pretty beat from the 8 x 400 earlier in the week. And because of the way that I was able to fit in the training, I actually didn't have a rest day since then. So... surprisingly, it didn't go very well. Ok, who am I kidding? I'm not surprised in the least.

I was able to get 2 miles in before I started to fall to pieces. Another quarter mile later I was ready to fall over. So... I stopped. That's right, I'm not afraid to admit it, I stopped. It was hot, my legs were trashed and I decided to listen to my body (for once). I'm happier today because of it too... (that's what I'm telling myself as I lay awake at night thinking about it)

Run recap- 2.37 miles, 20:50, 8:48 pace

Day of Fitness...

Man, today was packed full from the time I woke up. I got up early so that I would be able to ride my bike into work (or at least my normal "part way"). I got out the door and got a nice ride in. Because I am directionally challenged and I strayed a little from my regular route, I turned a 5.05 mile ride into a 6.24 mile ride. Nice... (shaking head).

Then, I got a run in over lunch... It was a good hard workout. I did a 40 minute tempo run. I warmed up for 10 minutes then ran about 8:15 pace for 25 minutes and then cooled down for 5 minutes (accidentally at about 8:30 pace). I guess I had a hard time revving down after a tough workout.

Run recap- 4.71 miles, 40:00, 8:30 pace (10 minute warmup, 8:14, 8:12, 7:57, 5 minute cooldown)

Then, right after my run, I did the first day of the Hundred Pushup plan. I was supposed to do (notice, I say "supposed") 10, 10, 8, 6, max (or 7 minimum). Well, I could only manage 10, 10, 8, 5, and 3. Not a great start and it looks like I'll probably be doing week one again. But, you gotta start somewhere right?

Then, I wasn't able to ride home because of a downpour. So, Shanelle at work drove me to my car and I will drive it home tomorrow to ride in and out on Friday.

Treadmill Tempo

I was going to do this run over lunch and then I realized I was just being a moron again. It's been so hot lately, it's almost insanity to run in that stuff. So, I sucked it up and held my run until later at night. Lucky for me, my wife wanted to go over to the gym and workout today. So, I took that as my opportunity to fit my run in and avoid the heat. Not too shabby.

All the treadmills were taken when I first got there, so I did a five minute warmup on the elliptical machine. Then, I made my way over to the treadmills when one became available. I did 25:00 at 8:34 pace and then I did a 10 minute cool-down at 10:00 pace. All in all, it was an ok workout. Nothing to brag about. But, after biking 10 miles today, I was just happy that I wasn't too taxed to pull it off. And, in fact, I felt fine. So, that's good.

Run recap- 3.94 miles, 35:00, 8:53 pace

Not the cure to all my problems?

I've been very busy over the last couple weeks and I haven't had the chance to play around with Motionbased at all. So, the problem of uploading data still exists. That could be user-error however. But, this is certainly not (I don't think).

One of the things that I really liked about getting a Garmin was that I spend some time on the road for work and it allows me to go out on runs without really knowing an area. Well, I went out on a tempo run in Boston yesterday and had some problems. The Garmin kept losing the satellite (I'm assuming because of the size of the building I was near) and coming up with some weird readings. So, all in all, I know how long I ran. But, I don't know how far I went. That stinks. I guess it is just something I'm going to have to plan for and run in a park or something. But, I wish I would've realized that earlier.

In regards to the run, it went much better than yesterday (that was easy). I did a 10 minute warm-up at about 10 minute miles and a 15 minute stretch at about 8 minute miles. Then, cooled down for another 5 minutes at 10 minute miles. So, 15 at 10 minute miles and 15 at 8 minute miles overall. It felt good and I'm glad I was able to fit it in. 8 meetings in 2 and a half days makes life kinda hectic.

Run recap- 3.375 miles, 30 minutes, 8:53 pace

Not bad...

It's clear that Tuesday's run was just fatigue from a tough workout on Sunday. Today's run went much better. I went out over lunch and got (almost) 5 miles in with Dave. Dave wanted to go a little easier (about 9 minute miles). For me, 9 minute miles aren't fast, but they aren't "easy" either. So, today was a nice test and progress for sure...

We went through some neighborhoods near work that I haven't seen before as well as "under the bridge" and out through a much more residential area. Dave lives near work... so he's a good running partner (well, more reasons than that). He knows a lot of good routes and I enjoy the conversation.

On another topic... this was my first 20 mile week since I've been back from my recent injury. It's taken me 11 weeks to get here. But, I'm glad I did the slow build-up. Strangely enough... since I'm doing my long run on Saturday this week, I'm actually going to put in 31 miles. But, that's kind of an exaggeration since it's next week's long run. But, it's within the 7 day span. So... last I checked, that's a week.

Run recap- 4.78 miles, 41:57, 8:47 pace

That's what I'm talking about...

I just went on a scheduled 4.5 miler and boy did it feel good. I went fairly fast the whole time and I really don't feel bad at all. Definitely more in the tank. This was one of those days that you remember why you run. It doesn't happen as often as I'd like, so I'm gonna bask in this while it's fresh in my memory. Eat my dust!!

Run recap- 4.51 miles, 37:34, 8:20 pace

Man am I Fast...

I went on my scheduled 3 miler over lunch today and it went great. I didn't intend to push the pace, but I was feeling so good, I decided to. This was the first time in a long time that I ran "fast" on a run. I will now go back into hibernation from the tempo run for a bit. But, it's nice to know that it's still there.

Run recap- 3.01 miles, 24:21, 8:05 pace