Launch pad

Did about a mile warm up and stretched and then ran a steady, but not hard 4.75 miles with Monica at around 7:00 mile pace before we hit the launch pad (two miles to go). I picked it up a bit and ran my next mile in 5:42 before fatigue started to get me and my next mile was 5:57, so my total for the 2 mile stretch was 11:39. I jogged back a bit to Monica and ran another half with her at about 6:20 pace and then a mile cool down, so a 9 mile day. I felt decent on the 5:42 and that gives me a pretty good indication of the kind of pace that I should be able to run in a 4-5 mile race. So, that will be my goal for the 4 mile race on the 14th: 22: 48. Looking at past results that would be my fastest time that I've ran there since 2003. That will work ( :

Things are starting to come around. Despite the new shoes that have rubbed raw spots on both of my achilles tendons and some niggles having to do with hip pain, I'm feeling decent while running. I definitely need to start getting more sleep. I'm exhausted all of the time !

Tuesday dots

In the hopes of developing some leg speed and turnover that I'd lost over the winter, tonight's workout was 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2 dots each with a 1 dot recovery jog. Since each dot is a tenth of a mile my goal was to run the 1 dots in 30 seconds or faster and the 2 dots at 60 seconds or faster (5 minute mile pace).

I ended up running 28.58, 62.52, 28.46, 60.56, 29.42, 59.41, 27.32, 58.78, 27.71, 55.36.

I was pleased that I got faster and stronger as the workout progressed and that I didn't really go lactic at any point during the workout. My last 2 dot was my fastest one, at 4:36 mile pace. My legs are finally starting to come around. did a solid warm down and ended up with a 7 mile day.

Starting to get the 'itch' and am looking forward to racing on the 14th.

the comeback trail.....

I felt pretty beat up after running 15.5 on Saturday with Monica. I didn't run on Sunday due to snow and wind and ran an easy 4 miles on Monday in the -1 wind chill.
We set out to do 10 X 2 dots (two tenths of a mile each) with one dot (tenth of a mile) jog recoveries. After a mile and a half warm up and some strides, we got rolling.

I went 63.33, 62.07, 62.00, 62.03, 62.16, 61.47, 60.25, 61.73, 60.09, and 54.12. I was really pleased with my consistency, the fact that I got faster as the workout progressed and that I felt strong the whole time. Considering that it was about 20 degrees out and that the footing wasn't the best, I'll be glad to put this workout in the bank. The 54 on the last one (4:30 pace) was especially nice.

I was thinking of all of the people sitting at home on their couches watching TV in their nice warm living rooms while I was out busting my ass....I look forward to seeing you at the next race.

Also got in a 3.5 mile + warm down for a 7 mile day.

Have worked through all of my little minor injuries and my calves seem to be fine. Am picking up my new shoes tomorrow and am excited about that.

See you on the roads.......

the comeback trail.....

Motivation in the new year

Well, it's the 7th of January and I can say that I have ran every day this year. I've gotten in about 46 1/2 miles in the last 6 days and planning on 6 1/2 tonight for a 53 mile week. I'm feeling a little run down from lack of sleep, but I know that's part of the process that I call 'breaking down', where the volume of training is increased and many subtle physiological changes are taking place underneath the surface. My body isn't used to the increased volume quite yet, so that will take some getting used to. My calf problems seem to have resolved themselves and the snow is melting,so I'm happy about both of those things.

My last week has broken down as follows:

Jan.1
Mile warm up, 1st mile of New Years Day 5K in 5:23, backed off to a jog so that Jenny could catch up, hit 2 miles in 13:06 and paced her to 19:56 for 5K. 3 mile warm down with Eric. 7 miles total
Jan.2nd
4.5 miles on loop in Mountain Home, averaged about 6:24 pace, last mile about 6:05.
Jan.3rd
12 miles-Barber Loop in Boise, mostly easy, dropped down to 6:05 pace from 8.5 to 10 miles and then my last two mile easy at 6:50 pace.
Jan.4th
13.5 miles on the outskirts of Mt.Home with Laurel and the Mt. Home crew. Easy running (7:45-8:00 pace) and cold as hell !
Jan.5th
4 miles out and back in Mt.Home. Out in 15:32, back in 13:55 on snowy icy crappy roads
Jan.6th
mile warm up, then 7 X 2 minutes hard with 1 minute jog recovery (crappy footing), 1.5 mile warm down, 5.5 miles total. Living in a lactic wonderland.
_________________________________________
6 day total = 46.5 miles
Planning a hard tempo effort on Saturday and would like to run 5:30 pace or faster for the 3 mile fitness evaluation. Planning to keep running every day until something prevents that from happening. Will keep adding mileage every week until I'm up to around 65-70 miles per week by the end of January, and then build on that.

My next major race will be the Snake River Canyon Half Marathon on March 7th.

Remember, this time of year, the first step out the door is the hardest one to take !