8.0 miles (unsure: 72:00-74:00 - 9:00-9:15/mile)
total: 8.0 miles
75°F °C
Current: Partly Cloudy
Wind: E at 0 mph
Humidity: 62%
course: Illinois Prairie Path
finish
71°F °C
Current: Haze
Wind: E at 0 mph
Humidity: 76%
Not everyday do I get to run with an ultramarathoner. Today, I did, though Amanda, a new running friend I made through Facebook, notched down her pace and distance on my behalf. She's training for a 50K race this fall (and a 50 miler after that), and is serving as a pace runner in the Chicago Marathon, leading a pack of 3:30 marathoners in clockwork-like 8:01s for Nike.
It was a good, but watchless run. Left my watch at home, and Amanda's died a mile into things. We ran a nice, relaxed pace, in the 9:00-9:15 range, though I'm not certain. For good measure on this notable day, she ran another mile to make it a pure nine miles on this September 9, 2009.
The humidity was high, so I'm looking at tonight's run with success. It helped to have a seasoned running buddy who was conversational and friendly.
Follow runner Eddie Izzard's marathon Tweets as he runs over 1,000 miles. http://twitter.com/EddieIzzard
Executive Speechwriting: Corporate, Weddings, Retirement
Showing posts with label Illinois Prairie Path. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Illinois Prairie Path. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Do You Wanna? I Did. After 8 Miles, That Is.
8.0 miles (73:37 - 9:12/mile [36:18 - 9:05; 37:19 - 9:20])total: 8.0 miles
course: Illinois Prairie Path
:30 after finish
78°F
Current: Clear
Wind: E at 0 mph
Humidity: 62%
It was hotter when I started. Much. My time isn't zippy, but for the weather, I'm good.
Mile one was 8:57. Obviously, that was around 15 seconds too fast.
Last week's mileage is at 35.08 miles. That's nice to see. If fitness is going to happen, it will not be by running tidy 20 mile weeks. I'm not sure that 35 miles weekly will get me there either, but at 34 days into this I'm happy.
I was asking myself if a cold orange Fanta would taste good when I was done. Now I know. It did. 270 calories of cool pleasure. Earned every sip.
Tomorrow will be a shorter run, with Thursday as a travel day, and Friday either also a rest day, or on the treadmill.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Eight Before I Ate
8.0 miles (72:58 - 9:07/mile; [36:58 - 9:14/mile, 35:00 - 9:00)
0.50 mile walk
total: 8.50 miles
65°F
Current: Overcast
Wind: NW at 4 mph
Humidity: 67%
course: Illinois Prairie Path
Among my better runs. The cool weather helped. My pace was fairly steady, and, to my surprise, picked up the second half. It was a nice feeling knowing I had a few more miles in me.
I run four miles out, and turned around at the mile post.
Crowded morning, although the serious CARA and Glen Ellyn Runners Club runners had all mostly finished. I got out in the late morning.
Someone was burning a bonfire at around two miles, with smoke heavy on the path. A few dog walkers had not-so-friendly dogs on tight leashes.
My total mileage for the last seven days is at a new high, at 37.47 miles, with another 1.95 miles walked. There is a pound of calories sacrificed to the running gods.
Now, time for lunch.
0.50 mile walk
total: 8.50 miles
65°F
Current: Overcast
Wind: NW at 4 mph
Humidity: 67%
course: Illinois Prairie Path
Among my better runs. The cool weather helped. My pace was fairly steady, and, to my surprise, picked up the second half. It was a nice feeling knowing I had a few more miles in me.
I run four miles out, and turned around at the mile post.
Crowded morning, although the serious CARA and Glen Ellyn Runners Club runners had all mostly finished. I got out in the late morning.
Someone was burning a bonfire at around two miles, with smoke heavy on the path. A few dog walkers had not-so-friendly dogs on tight leashes.
My total mileage for the last seven days is at a new high, at 37.47 miles, with another 1.95 miles walked. There is a pound of calories sacrificed to the running gods.
Now, time for lunch.
Monday, August 17, 2009
10 Miles in the Rain: Longest Run in Year+
10.0 miles (1:46:07 - 10:43/mile)
total: 10.0 miles
77°F
Current: Mostly Cloudy
Wind: SW at 0 mph
Humidity: 83%
course: Illinois Prairie Path southward
It rained. I'm tired. Dirt covers my calves. I'll ache worse tomorrow. That's the bad news.
The good news is I ran farther than I have in a year. Though it did rain from 2.0 to around 3.5 miles, the scent of oak trees surrounded, and the trees protected me from the harshest part of the rain.
My longest run last June (10.11 miles) was slightly faster, but I was in better shape, but today's pleases me because of the challenge of the elements and present level of fitness.
My recovery so far seems OK. Gatorade and mineral water over ice, and a small can of Bush's Baked Beans are hitting the spot as I write. A shower soon will eliminate some of of less savory impacts of my afternoon's effort.
total: 10.0 miles
77°F
Current: Mostly Cloudy
Wind: SW at 0 mph
Humidity: 83%
course: Illinois Prairie Path southward
It rained. I'm tired. Dirt covers my calves. I'll ache worse tomorrow. That's the bad news.
The good news is I ran farther than I have in a year. Though it did rain from 2.0 to around 3.5 miles, the scent of oak trees surrounded, and the trees protected me from the harshest part of the rain.
My longest run last June (10.11 miles) was slightly faster, but I was in better shape, but today's pleases me because of the challenge of the elements and present level of fitness.
My recovery so far seems OK. Gatorade and mineral water over ice, and a small can of Bush's Baked Beans are hitting the spot as I write. A shower soon will eliminate some of of less savory impacts of my afternoon's effort.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Negative Splits in a Positive Run: 8.08 in 68:15
8.08 miles - 68:15.44 (8:27/mile)
splits
4.04 miles - 35:05 (out) (8:41/mile)
4.04 miles - 33:10.44 (back) (8:13/mile)
55°F
Current:Clear
Wind: W at 0 mph
Humidity: 99%
course: Illinois Prairie Path - south from zero marker
finish
58°F
Current:Clear
Wind: W at 0 mph
Humidity: 100%
Easy Sunday morning run along the IPP, using my new, snazzy GPS watch. Still getting the kinks out, but I like the feature that shows me my per mile split (any split I want, but I set it at a mile). Also, learned the mile markers, at least the ones going south, from 0-4, are correct.
Ran with JRSC runner Jody Cantey, whose studying up for a half marathon next weekend. She was at ease the entire way, and should have no trouble.
Saw Frank and Paul, separately, and John Grebe near the finish.
Negative splits are encouraging, though we never pushed, nor intended to push.
Now, with a vanilla bean Gu in my system, I'm fresh, but ripe. Need to shower and head off to church.
splits
4.04 miles - 35:05 (out) (8:41/mile)
4.04 miles - 33:10.44 (back) (8:13/mile)
55°F
Current:Clear
Wind: W at 0 mph
Humidity: 99%
course: Illinois Prairie Path - south from zero marker
finish
58°F
Current:Clear
Wind: W at 0 mph
Humidity: 100%
Easy Sunday morning run along the IPP, using my new, snazzy GPS watch. Still getting the kinks out, but I like the feature that shows me my per mile split (any split I want, but I set it at a mile). Also, learned the mile markers, at least the ones going south, from 0-4, are correct.
Ran with JRSC runner Jody Cantey, whose studying up for a half marathon next weekend. She was at ease the entire way, and should have no trouble.
Saw Frank and Paul, separately, and John Grebe near the finish.
Negative splits are encouraging, though we never pushed, nor intended to push.
Now, with a vanilla bean Gu in my system, I'm fresh, but ripe. Need to shower and head off to church.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Four At Nine Will Get You Eight in Negative Splits - Workout Course PR
8.0 miles - 66:51 (8:21/mile)
33:46 out (8:26/mile)
33:05 back (8:16/mile)
65°F
Current:Clear
Wind: W at 0 mph
Humidity: 80%
course: Illinois Prairie Path
finish
73°F
Current:Clear
Wind: W at 0 mph
Humidity: 59%
First mile = 8:16, and I worried that I spent it all. While completing mile four, I felt a stitch, and thought maybe this was confirming it all. Not so. Not so. Not only was my pace fine, but it picked up on the way home.
Part of the reason for the good run might be yesterday's day off. Or, cooler air. I hit the trail around 9:00. Or later. What matters is that I wish was earlier. Weather was OK, but at 7:00 was perfect.
Add to all of this a new 31-day mileage total top, 139.37 (31.47 miles/week).
Trivia: You spent more time reading this post than Jamaica's Usain Bolt took to run 100 meters getting the gold medal: 9.69 seconds. Well done Mr. Bolt!
33:46 out (8:26/mile)
33:05 back (8:16/mile)
65°F
Current:Clear
Wind: W at 0 mph
Humidity: 80%
course: Illinois Prairie Path
finish
73°F
Current:Clear
Wind: W at 0 mph
Humidity: 59%
First mile = 8:16, and I worried that I spent it all. While completing mile four, I felt a stitch, and thought maybe this was confirming it all. Not so. Not so. Not only was my pace fine, but it picked up on the way home.
Part of the reason for the good run might be yesterday's day off. Or, cooler air. I hit the trail around 9:00. Or later. What matters is that I wish was earlier. Weather was OK, but at 7:00 was perfect.
Add to all of this a new 31-day mileage total top, 139.37 (31.47 miles/week).
Trivia: You spent more time reading this post than Jamaica's Usain Bolt took to run 100 meters getting the gold medal: 9.69 seconds. Well done Mr. Bolt!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
This Way and That: Sunday Morning Running
8 miles - 71:42 (8:58/mile)
total: 8 miles
60°F
Current:Clear
Wind: NW at 2 mph
Humidity: 79%
course: Illinois Prairie Path south from zero
That's the weather a little later. I left in a hurry to meet Jody at the zero marker for an easy gallop to the four mile marker and back, forgetting to grab the temp.
Stayed close to 8:45-9:00 most of the way. Mild (very mild) hills. Flat, really. Conversational pace throughout. Slightly slower on the way back. Most importantly, all was relaxed, and completed before church. As my schedule may change significantly soon, I need to get in morning runs, and this was a good start.
My best time for eight miles is 69:32 - 8:41/mile. I have no doubt we could have run faster than this, but the goal was "very fresh," coach Jim Spivey's term for pretty easy warm-up pace. It does not mean, "All out, fast as you can, record time."
Mile/Pace (I don't remember the others)
1 - 8:44
2 - 8:57
Halfway - 35:36 (8:54)
This completes a 7-day mileage high of 37.65, and a 31-day mileage high of 132.25.
total: 8 miles
60°F
Current:Clear
Wind: NW at 2 mph
Humidity: 79%
course: Illinois Prairie Path south from zero
That's the weather a little later. I left in a hurry to meet Jody at the zero marker for an easy gallop to the four mile marker and back, forgetting to grab the temp.
Stayed close to 8:45-9:00 most of the way. Mild (very mild) hills. Flat, really. Conversational pace throughout. Slightly slower on the way back. Most importantly, all was relaxed, and completed before church. As my schedule may change significantly soon, I need to get in morning runs, and this was a good start.
My best time for eight miles is 69:32 - 8:41/mile. I have no doubt we could have run faster than this, but the goal was "very fresh," coach Jim Spivey's term for pretty easy warm-up pace. It does not mean, "All out, fast as you can, record time."
Mile/Pace (I don't remember the others)
1 - 8:44
2 - 8:57
Halfway - 35:36 (8:54)
This completes a 7-day mileage high of 37.65, and a 31-day mileage high of 132.25.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Notching Out an Easy Eight at Eight
8.07 miles - 1:14:42 (9:15/mile)
total: 8.07 miles
60°F
Current:Clear
Wind: E at 0 mph
Humidity: 93%
course: Prairie Path north to Geneva and back, then south to Weisbrook and back
finish
74°F
Current:Clear
Wind: SE at 0 mph
Humidity: 58%
Lovely morning run. Lots of club runners from CARA, Glen Ellyn Runners Club and others.
Frank, Lee, Jody and Kevin. Picked up Brad mid-run. Ran north, then Jody and I ran another 3 miles, heading 1.5 miles south and back.
Felt good, though thighs hurt from yesterday.
total: 8.07 miles
60°F
Current:Clear
Wind: E at 0 mph
Humidity: 93%
course: Prairie Path north to Geneva and back, then south to Weisbrook and back
finish
74°F
Current:Clear
Wind: SE at 0 mph
Humidity: 58%
Lovely morning run. Lots of club runners from CARA, Glen Ellyn Runners Club and others.
Frank, Lee, Jody and Kevin. Picked up Brad mid-run. Ran north, then Jody and I ran another 3 miles, heading 1.5 miles south and back.
Felt good, though thighs hurt from yesterday.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Rained Out? Not Me! All Wet? You Bet!
7.0 miles - 69:02 (9:52/mile)
1.0 mile, hard walking
total: 8.0 miles
69°F
Current:Mostly Cloudy
Wind: NW at 0 mph
Humidity: 70%
course: Illinois Prairie Path southward
finish
68°F
Current:Cloudy
Wind: W at 0 mph
Humidity: 97%
Caught in the rain after my first mile. Poured hard, rain forest type of rain. I decided to keep going. Skipping runs like this will not help me get my treasured sub-20:00 5K.
Mile 1 - 8:47
Mile 2 - 9:10
Not sure after that.
Averaged 9:52, so my subsequent miles were very slow. Fine enough for me. This was intended to be LSD.
Stopped at seven miles, as my job today was to get in 55-65 minutes, and I was at 69:36.
I'm tired. I'll nap.
Post script
Slept an hour. For those of you keeping score, I won yesterday's Scrabble game by one point, delivered when I posted my last letter, a 'T'. I attached it to an 'I'. That got me four points (double word score). What did it though was that I received everyone else's remaining points from letters still sitting on their tray.
1.0 mile, hard walking
total: 8.0 miles
69°F
Current:Mostly Cloudy
Wind: NW at 0 mph
Humidity: 70%
course: Illinois Prairie Path southward
finish
68°F
Current:Cloudy
Wind: W at 0 mph
Humidity: 97%
Caught in the rain after my first mile. Poured hard, rain forest type of rain. I decided to keep going. Skipping runs like this will not help me get my treasured sub-20:00 5K.
Mile 1 - 8:47
Mile 2 - 9:10
Not sure after that.
Averaged 9:52, so my subsequent miles were very slow. Fine enough for me. This was intended to be LSD.
Stopped at seven miles, as my job today was to get in 55-65 minutes, and I was at 69:36.
I'm tired. I'll nap.
Post script
Slept an hour. For those of you keeping score, I won yesterday's Scrabble game by one point, delivered when I posted my last letter, a 'T'. I attached it to an 'I'. That got me four points (double word score). What did it though was that I received everyone else's remaining points from letters still sitting on their tray.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Places I Run in DuPage County
Forest Preserve District of DuPage County - Springbrook Prairie
Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve
9S400 Plainfield-Naperville Road
Naperville, Illinois
Get directions
5.5 mile loop, with each half mile noted. Clean, semi-paved path, with some minor hills at around the three mile mark. Find me here on occasional Saturday mornings or mid-day, mid-week when I'm not working. Among my favorites when I need to run alone.
Wheaton College Track
501 College Ave
Wheaton, IL 60187
Get directions
Excellent quality 400 meter track. Run with me here on Thursday evenings as part of the Jim Spivey Running Club. It can be crowded sometimes, but mostly, these are other serious runners who are aware of track courtesies and etiquette.
College of DuPage Track
425 Fawell Blvd.
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
(630) 942-2800
Low quality and beat-up, but convenient 400 meter track. Not only is it close to home, but I can run a track workout without competing for lanes with other runners. The COD football team often leaves equipment in the lanes near the 350 meter mark.
Illinois Prairie Path
W Liberty Dr & Carlton Ave
Wheaton, IL 60187
Excellent 61-mile trail, with markers every mile. Convenient, and many runners use it. The downside is it can be buggy (bees, mosquitoes) and roads need to be crossed every mile or so.
You will see many runners here, including the Glen Ellyn Runners Club. Be polite, nod to other runners.
Sometimes I go north or south. Most recently, I have been heading southward -- fewer road crossings -- as far as the four mile mark for an eight mile run, and expect to push it further as I can.
Elsewhere
There are other places -- occasional treadmills (COD's treadmill), paths, but either too infrequent (like Greene Valley), or too difficult to provide specifics (like road workouts that change course each time). The ones listed above are the most frequent, but also, the ones I expect to use the most moving forward this spring.
Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve
9S400 Plainfield-Naperville Road
Naperville, Illinois
Get directions
5.5 mile loop, with each half mile noted. Clean, semi-paved path, with some minor hills at around the three mile mark. Find me here on occasional Saturday mornings or mid-day, mid-week when I'm not working. Among my favorites when I need to run alone.
Wheaton College Track
501 College Ave
Wheaton, IL 60187
Get directions
Excellent quality 400 meter track. Run with me here on Thursday evenings as part of the Jim Spivey Running Club. It can be crowded sometimes, but mostly, these are other serious runners who are aware of track courtesies and etiquette.
College of DuPage Track
425 Fawell Blvd.
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
(630) 942-2800
Low quality and beat-up, but convenient 400 meter track. Not only is it close to home, but I can run a track workout without competing for lanes with other runners. The COD football team often leaves equipment in the lanes near the 350 meter mark.
Illinois Prairie Path
W Liberty Dr & Carlton Ave
Wheaton, IL 60187
Excellent 61-mile trail, with markers every mile. Convenient, and many runners use it. The downside is it can be buggy (bees, mosquitoes) and roads need to be crossed every mile or so.
You will see many runners here, including the Glen Ellyn Runners Club. Be polite, nod to other runners.
Sometimes I go north or south. Most recently, I have been heading southward -- fewer road crossings -- as far as the four mile mark for an eight mile run, and expect to push it further as I can.
Elsewhere
There are other places -- occasional treadmills (COD's treadmill), paths, but either too infrequent (like Greene Valley), or too difficult to provide specifics (like road workouts that change course each time). The ones listed above are the most frequent, but also, the ones I expect to use the most moving forward this spring.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Four Miles of Drizzle
4 miles, out and back, around 37:30 (8:59, 9:00, 9:37, 9:17)
48°F
Mostly Cloudy
Wind: E at 4 mph
Humidity: 37%
course: Illinois Prairie Path
No spectacular running tonight. Sluggish, at best. Frank mentioned he was coming off of three weeks down and would be running four miles easy. I decided to tag along. I simply did not need speedwork with a base deficit.
Coach Jim was nowhere to be found. At least, not in Illinois. He is sun bathing in the beautiful air of Florida on a family vacation, working on vitamin D synthesizing. This distinction was made clearer as the rain came down in a strong sprinkle (Don't let the weather listed above fool you. It was cool and sloppy out there.)
The work was to be officially a favorite, had I actually run it.
15 m's wu vf, 6x100
3 sets of 3x400 (200)[400]
1st set - all f
2nd set fgf
3rd set gff
wd
48°F
Mostly Cloudy
Wind: E at 4 mph
Humidity: 37%
course: Illinois Prairie Path
No spectacular running tonight. Sluggish, at best. Frank mentioned he was coming off of three weeks down and would be running four miles easy. I decided to tag along. I simply did not need speedwork with a base deficit.
Coach Jim was nowhere to be found. At least, not in Illinois. He is sun bathing in the beautiful air of Florida on a family vacation, working on vitamin D synthesizing. This distinction was made clearer as the rain came down in a strong sprinkle (Don't let the weather listed above fool you. It was cool and sloppy out there.)
The work was to be officially a favorite, had I actually run it.
15 m's wu vf, 6x100
3 sets of 3x400 (200)[400]
1st set - all f
2nd set fgf
3rd set gff
wd
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Looking for a Few Good Miles
3 miles run
.5 miles walk
3.5 miles total
52°F
Clear
Wind: NW at 0 mph
Humidity: 45%
course: Illinois Prairie Path
Today's run was an easy three. Maybe not that many. Pace was 9:30-10:00/mile.
The IPP was wet, but tolerable. Tomorrow has a chance of ice and a high of 38, a drop from today's balmy weather.
Key was getting back out there, doing it again. Tomorrow will be my workout with the Spivey Club, so I needed to be loose today. I am relaxed, though tired from poor sleep last night. With tomorrow, I also want to run Friday, getting three days in succession - maybe a 5-6 miler?
.5 miles walk
3.5 miles total
52°F
Clear
Wind: NW at 0 mph
Humidity: 45%
course: Illinois Prairie Path
Today's run was an easy three. Maybe not that many. Pace was 9:30-10:00/mile.
The IPP was wet, but tolerable. Tomorrow has a chance of ice and a high of 38, a drop from today's balmy weather.
Key was getting back out there, doing it again. Tomorrow will be my workout with the Spivey Club, so I needed to be loose today. I am relaxed, though tired from poor sleep last night. With tomorrow, I also want to run Friday, getting three days in succession - maybe a 5-6 miler?
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Six Hearty Miles of Sheer Pleasure
6 miles 51:20
25:57 out, 25:23 back
wd 0.25 miles
total: 6.25 miles
55°F
Clear
Wind: NE at 17 mph
Humidity: 51%
course: Illinois Prairie Path southward from zero
After an especially challenging track workout, I hit the path for some easy recovery miles. David Dane joined me - he walked a quick two miles while I sauntered through six.
It was cool, but I was too warmly dressed. My bandana is as drenched as any hot summer's day. My socks were not fitting right, and I might have a blister on my right big toe on the inside. Not a pleasant feeling, bit not much on an issue until the final half mile.
All pleasure, though, not pressing nor relaxing. Just shooting through the miles as it felt fine.
Met a high school runner as he shot past me as I closed in on my first three miles. Randall. He's a 1:54 800 meter runner from Glenbard South. He's got a 4:39 indoor mile behind him as well, but he hasn't really run the distance for time, it seems. He's got his eyes on the Illinois high school 800 state meet, but knows last year's champ is coming back. If you read this Randall, drop me a line.
25:57 out, 25:23 back
wd 0.25 miles
total: 6.25 miles
55°F
Clear
Wind: NE at 17 mph
Humidity: 51%
course: Illinois Prairie Path southward from zero
After an especially challenging track workout, I hit the path for some easy recovery miles. David Dane joined me - he walked a quick two miles while I sauntered through six.
It was cool, but I was too warmly dressed. My bandana is as drenched as any hot summer's day. My socks were not fitting right, and I might have a blister on my right big toe on the inside. Not a pleasant feeling, bit not much on an issue until the final half mile.
All pleasure, though, not pressing nor relaxing. Just shooting through the miles as it felt fine.
Met a high school runner as he shot past me as I closed in on my first three miles. Randall. He's a 1:54 800 meter runner from Glenbard South. He's got a 4:39 indoor mile behind him as well, but he hasn't really run the distance for time, it seems. He's got his eyes on the Illinois high school 800 state meet, but knows last year's champ is coming back. If you read this Randall, drop me a line.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Stress Relief, Preparing for Tomorrow
4.8 miles miles, no particular pace.
Stress abound, with the job hunt, and lots of personal life matters in tow, this run, for me, served as a good purging device.
Rich, Linda and Lee were all there. Lee, coming off a 3:59:30 marathon (qualifying for Boston by :29-point-something) last Sunday, was recovering better than expected.
The ramble was a quick one - around 46-48 minutes. Nothing speedy. In fact, we waddled slowly on the return trip. For me, with so few miles these last 10 days, I need to swing back into things carefully. My base is not so solid as should be as to be able to endure these sorts of blips.
Along the way, someone mentioned that my play-by-play of my job hunt was tiresome. A new topic was needed (not to mention that job). What then?
We wrote a few lines of a poem. Linda started, then Rich, me, then Lee, back to Linsa, each adding a words. All I recall is something about a shadow creeping under a street light.
Tomorrow, the JSRC workout -- normally on Thursdays, will be held. And a tough one at that. 2x1600 (400) 1000 (400). I hurt already just thinking about it.
I'm not used to running the 1000, but expect I'll foolishly run it like an 800, with more pain. I don't know how to adjust for that extra 200 meters. Just the same, that's the workout, with a total of 7.0 miles if it goes as expected.
Stress abound, with the job hunt, and lots of personal life matters in tow, this run, for me, served as a good purging device.
Rich, Linda and Lee were all there. Lee, coming off a 3:59:30 marathon (qualifying for Boston by :29-point-something) last Sunday, was recovering better than expected.
The ramble was a quick one - around 46-48 minutes. Nothing speedy. In fact, we waddled slowly on the return trip. For me, with so few miles these last 10 days, I need to swing back into things carefully. My base is not so solid as should be as to be able to endure these sorts of blips.
Along the way, someone mentioned that my play-by-play of my job hunt was tiresome. A new topic was needed (not to mention that job). What then?
We wrote a few lines of a poem. Linda started, then Rich, me, then Lee, back to Linsa, each adding a words. All I recall is something about a shadow creeping under a street light.
Tomorrow, the JSRC workout -- normally on Thursdays, will be held. And a tough one at that. 2x1600 (400) 1000 (400). I hurt already just thinking about it.
I'm not used to running the 1000, but expect I'll foolishly run it like an 800, with more pain. I don't know how to adjust for that extra 200 meters. Just the same, that's the workout, with a total of 7.0 miles if it goes as expected.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
But I would (run) 500 miles - And I would (run) 500 more
4.5 Miles - 42 minutes
total: 4.5 Miles
course: Illinois Prairie Path eastward from Finley in Lombard, IL
Remember that old song by The Proclaimers? Sometime tonight I passed the 500 mile mark. It took 167 days to get here. I'm now at 503.64 miles.
It was a cool evening, and a full crew was there, including Joe, who has run with the guys before, before my time. Darkness drew us to try a new course, a slightly better lit part of the path. I felt good, and at the end, Lee and I galloped the last half mile at around 7:50 pace.
The ante is up. To run faster, I need to put in the next 500 in fewer than 167 days.
Da da lat da (Da da lat da)!
Everybody sing:
total: 4.5 Miles
course: Illinois Prairie Path eastward from Finley in Lombard, IL
Remember that old song by The Proclaimers? Sometime tonight I passed the 500 mile mark. It took 167 days to get here. I'm now at 503.64 miles.
It was a cool evening, and a full crew was there, including Joe, who has run with the guys before, before my time. Darkness drew us to try a new course, a slightly better lit part of the path. I felt good, and at the end, Lee and I galloped the last half mile at around 7:50 pace.
The ante is up. To run faster, I need to put in the next 500 in fewer than 167 days.
Da da lat da (Da da lat da)!
Everybody sing:
The Proclaimers
I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) Lyrics
When I wake up yeah I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who wakes up next to you
When I go out yeah I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who goes along with you
If I get drunk yes I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who gets drunk next to you
And if I heave yeah I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who's heaving next to you
But I would walk 500 miles
And I would walk 500 more
Just to be the man who walked 1000 miles
To fall down at your door
When I'm working yes I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who's working hard for you
And when the money comes in for the work I'll do
I'll pass almost every penny on to you
When I come home yeah I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who comes back home to you
And if I grow old well I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who's growing old with you
But I would walk 500 miles
And I would walk 500 more
Just to be the man who walked 1000 miles
To fall down at your door
When I'm lonely yes I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man whose lonely without you
When I'm dreaming yes I know I'm gonna dream
Dream about the time when I'm with you.
But I would walk 500 miles
And I would walk 500 more
Just to be the man who walked 1000 miles
To fall down at your door
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
8 Miles (Fall is Coming Fast)
8 miles - 1:11:01 (8:52/mile)
.5 miles wd
total: 8.5 miles
.5 miles wd
total: 8.5 miles
course: Illinois Prairie Path zero southward
4 Miles out - 36:25
4 Miles back - 34:36
4 Miles out - 36:25
4 Miles back - 34:36
Welcome you wonderful bloggers
curious about my running adventures!
Can a 41 year-old out of shape guy transform himself from a 31-something 5K runner to a speedy sub-20:00 masters racer? Good question, and, so far, the jury is still out. As you might know, I am at 22:00 (race PR, not treadmill), not 20:00. I'm getting there, and it will take more days like today to get me there.
Today's workout had no time goals. Just wanted to get in a long run, and start getting used to longer runs. Endurance and extra body weight are still what are slowing me down in the short races, and the only way to resolve this, as far as I know, is hoofing out the distance.
I started with and 8:48 mile and finished with around an 8:05. In between, I went slower, then faster. I think miles 4-5 were around 9:25-9:30. When two guys passed me at mile 5, I tried to stick with them until mile 6. It woke me up, kicked me in the butt.
Leaves fell like new snow on the white path, cushioning my steps. Alone, I cared less about my watch, and more about the sound of the wind in the trees. It was a good run.
Tomorrow, I'll put in an easy 3-4 miles.
Monday, October 8, 2007
4 Quick Miles Amongst Cigarettes and Crickets
4 miles -- 32:24
.5 wd
total: 4.5 miles
86°F
Cloudy
Wind: SW at 16 mph
Humidity: 48%
course: Illinois Prairie Path southward from zero
Mile 1 - 8:00
Mile 2 - 7:58
Mile 3 - 8:13
Mile 4 - 8:13
A fiasco at the dry cleaners slow me getting to the trail. Got too dark for the six miles I intended. A little harder than my warmup, but holding back some, it went well. First two miles were intentionally harder, and the second were cruising back home.
A hard walk warm down for around eight minutes.
Crickets were in fine force, as were the junior high school kids sharing a cigarette. The usual suburban rebels without a life. The acrid scent of ladybugs wafted through the air, while on the ground, leaves covered the path.
.5 wd
total: 4.5 miles
86°F
Cloudy
Wind: SW at 16 mph
Humidity: 48%
course: Illinois Prairie Path southward from zero
Mile 1 - 8:00
Mile 2 - 7:58
Mile 3 - 8:13
Mile 4 - 8:13
A fiasco at the dry cleaners slow me getting to the trail. Got too dark for the six miles I intended. A little harder than my warmup, but holding back some, it went well. First two miles were intentionally harder, and the second were cruising back home.
A hard walk warm down for around eight minutes.
Crickets were in fine force, as were the junior high school kids sharing a cigarette. The usual suburban rebels without a life. The acrid scent of ladybugs wafted through the air, while on the ground, leaves covered the path.
Friday, October 5, 2007
Six Long Miles
6 miles
.25 wd
total: 6.25 miles
83°F
Mostly Cloudy
Wind: SE at 10 mph
Humidity: 63%
course: Illinois Prairie Path zero to south
First 3 miles - 27:02
Second 3 miles - 29:14
My first mile was what felt then as a very easy, relaxed 8:33. Each that followed was slower and slower. My last two miles were in around 9:45. Thursday's butt kicking with the JSRC must have been just that. I knew it was a hard track workout, but did not realize how sapped I would be the following day.
I had thought I would run 8-10 miles, but it was not to be. I'm debating whether Saturday should be a rest day or not. Friday finishes a 30-mile week, still high for me.
.25 wd
total: 6.25 miles
83°F
Mostly Cloudy
Wind: SE at 10 mph
Humidity: 63%
course: Illinois Prairie Path zero to south
First 3 miles - 27:02
Second 3 miles - 29:14
My first mile was what felt then as a very easy, relaxed 8:33. Each that followed was slower and slower. My last two miles were in around 9:45. Thursday's butt kicking with the JSRC must have been just that. I knew it was a hard track workout, but did not realize how sapped I would be the following day.
I had thought I would run 8-10 miles, but it was not to be. I'm debating whether Saturday should be a rest day or not. Friday finishes a 30-mile week, still high for me.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Cleansing 4.8 miles
4.8 miles
400m wd
total: 5.05 miles
76°F
Cloudy
Wind: N at 0 mph
Humidity: 71%
course: Illinois Prairie Path
Lee, Rich, Kevin, Linda. Rich and I briefly talked business-related things. Kevin and I discussed the troubles a divorce lawyer might incur. Lee and I chatted about the importance of avoiding bees and cougars while racing. Linda introduced us to her rental vehicle, a Nissan Versa.
The run accomplished what I hoped: to purge the crud I was feeling. Like a moving sweat tent, each mile took me further from stress, from whatever was aching inside and out. My day hasn't been bad, mind you, just not feeling 100%.
400m wd
total: 5.05 miles
76°F
Cloudy
Wind: N at 0 mph
Humidity: 71%
course: Illinois Prairie Path
Lee, Rich, Kevin, Linda. Rich and I briefly talked business-related things. Kevin and I discussed the troubles a divorce lawyer might incur. Lee and I chatted about the importance of avoiding bees and cougars while racing. Linda introduced us to her rental vehicle, a Nissan Versa.
The run accomplished what I hoped: to purge the crud I was feeling. Like a moving sweat tent, each mile took me further from stress, from whatever was aching inside and out. My day hasn't been bad, mind you, just not feeling 100%.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Chicken Wings Meeting Post-run Hunger
4.8 miles
total: 4.8 miles
87°F
Clear
Wind: S at 17 mph
Humidity: 41%
course: Illinois Prairie Path
My first run since Thursday, since suffering a not quite gone cold. I felt better than expected, though I'll know better tomorrow how well I recover.My appetite has returned (I'm munching my way through around a 1/2 lb of chicken wings picked up at Jewel as I write), which hopefully portends good things for the rest of the running week.
Lee, Rich, and Linda made the weekly gallop a fine ride. A little warm a little buggy, but, as Lee would say, "a fine time was had by all."
As time goes, I don't know. Around 42 minutes. Forgot to turn my watch off. It is 1:56:10 since we started.
total: 4.8 miles
87°F
Clear
Wind: S at 17 mph
Humidity: 41%
course: Illinois Prairie Path
My first run since Thursday, since suffering a not quite gone cold. I felt better than expected, though I'll know better tomorrow how well I recover.My appetite has returned (I'm munching my way through around a 1/2 lb of chicken wings picked up at Jewel as I write), which hopefully portends good things for the rest of the running week.
Lee, Rich, and Linda made the weekly gallop a fine ride. A little warm a little buggy, but, as Lee would say, "a fine time was had by all."
As time goes, I don't know. Around 42 minutes. Forgot to turn my watch off. It is 1:56:10 since we started.
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