Rainy and Tired - 10 miles (537 total)

10.01 miles
1:25:43
8:33 pace

After being sick all weekend, took a run in the rain today. Felt like I was going fast, but was disappointed to see my time. Time for a nap now.

Preemptive Turkey Burning - 10 miles (527 total)

10.28 miles
1:20:09
7:47 pace

Ran the usual route, but out a little farther, to the John B. Kelly statue just past the regatta viewing stands on the river rec path. Made good time; weather was windy but sunny, in the 40's.

Will do my next run Friday up in Rhinebeck. Maybe I'll take some pictures.

Back on the Road - 9 miles (517 total)

9.19 miles
1:13:02
7:56 pace

Training again after a 1-week break. Legs were getting to the point where I was afraid of forming shin splints. Pain went away pretty thoroughly after about 5 days, and I hope the rest allowed me to consolidate some gains. I last took a break back in August, and came back much stronger afterward.

Good run today, although the usual 9 mile route only seemed to take me about 8.5 today, and I had to run some extra. Pace felt good, although it felt a bit faster than what I actually clocked. Hope I can keep 9 miles as my standard weekday run now and try to work from 15 to 20 on the weekends.

Halfway - 15 miles (508 total)

15.00 miles
2:00:07
8:00 pace

Did the East Falls loop from home, ending up at 38th and Spruce. Nice day for running for a change, although it was blustery at times. Temp in the high 40s. Lots of groups out running on the path - maybe people preparing for the Philly Marathon next weekend. I have to say that I'm both disappointed and relieved that the marathon did not work out for me this year. I don't think I'm quite prepared to do it the way I would like. The last mile of today's run was tough - imagine if I still had 11.2 left to do.

Happy to have broken the 500-mile mark today, about a month early. I may take a week off since my legs have been bothering me. Don't want to end up with shin splints again that could put me out of business for a month or more.

Wet, Gray and Rainy - 9 miles (493 total)

9.22 miles
1:13:07
7:55 pace

Took yesterday off - partly because I got busy and partly because my legs were hurting. So when it started raining mid-morning today, I didn't feel like I could put it off again. Once I got used to it, the rain wasn't bad. Kept me cool, at least. Tried out my new long running pants. Started to feel tired after 6 miles, but it didn't get any worse after that. Soaked to the skin by the end, but had a full change of clothes in the office. Legs are aching afterwards. Might be able to ice up after a 2:00 meeting.

Faster - 9 miles (484 total)

9.01 miles
1:08:25
7:35 pace

Did the same run out to Fountain Drive on the river path as last Thursday, but lengthened it a bit by running up to 38th street then out to Market. Circled Franklin Field at the end in order to make an even 9 miles. Tried to go a little faster today, especially the last couple of miles. Beautiful day; temp in the high 40s.

Rainy Loop Plus - 16 miles (475 total)

16.35 miles
2:13:53
8:11 pace

Started from home just as it began raining. Rained steadily through the whole run. It wasn't bad, though; not cold and it made me feel like a hardcore runner. ;-) Took an easy pace since my legs have been bothering me, and resisted the temptation to go full out for the last mile.

Went down to the rec path at Market Street, then back to the start of the path and out to Falls Bridge, back on West River Drive to the start of the path, up Market, Chestnut, Walnut and Spruce to Hamilton Walk, and hit 15 at the VA Hospital. Went down Woodland and took the loop around USP and Clark Park and finished outside the Green Line Cafe and the Farmer's Market at 43rd and Baltimore. (The links will give you a tour of our immediate neighborhood!) Had a Gu packet at about 9.5, and think that really helped avoid fatigue. Did not feel particularly worn out at the finish - think I could have done 20 without too much strain.

Work to Fountain Drive - 8 miles (458 total)

8.19 miles
1:06:35
8:07 pace

Legs have been hurting since the 15-miler Sunday, so took an extra day off.

Today I felt like I was running at a medium pace, but it was actually a bit slower than Sunday's, when I was trying to keep it slow. Weather was damp and very gray, but not cold. Didn't get a lot of sleep election night, or the night before, so that might have slowed me down.

Will aim for 12 on Saturday to make my minimum of 20 for the week.

Regent Square to Falls Bridge - 15 miles (450 total)

15.01 miles
2:00:12
8:00 pace

Afternoon run today, after pancakes, pollworker training, and Doug's baseball game - undefeated after 10 games in the fall league!

Was feeling a bit tender after yesterday's race, so took it slow; increased speed a little on the way back. This is only the second time I've attempted the East Falls loop from home - the first time I stopped at 13 miles and walked home from the rec path. Today I hit 15 miles a couple of blocks from home at just about exactly 2 hours.

Will have 2 days off, since Barbara and I are serving on the election board on Tuesday and working at our neighborhood polling place.

Penn Homecoming 2-mile Race (435 total)

2 miles
13:01
6:31 pace

Barb, Doug and I all ran. I was really proud of Doug. He finished in 8:09; 7:45 at the one mile mark. Barbara looked good finishing - fastest I think I've ever seen her go. And to top it off, I took first place!

The crowd seemed to be about half students or young alums and half older folks like myself. After the race, a cop came up to congratulate me and said, "Score one for us old guys!"

Route was from College Green straight up Locust Street to between 44th and 45th, then back. I was in 3rd place most of the first mile, then passed one guy near the turnaround, and the lead guy at about 1.5.

Afterwards we stopped by Pottruck Gym and got complimentary smoothies. Beautiful day - would have liked to have stayed on campus for the Homecoming game, but had to get Doug to his guitar lesson.