Halloween 17-miler

Garmin Link
17.01 miles
7:51 pace

Didn't get out for a run until early afternoon - had to go to election training this morning, and fixed chili and greens for tonight's dinner. I'm working on the election board at our neighborhood polling place Tuesday.

Run went well - especially considering that I did a good bit of running yesterday. This was my longest run since last year's marathon, but I still would like to get a 20-miler in before the Philly Marathon on the 21st. Foot seems to be healing and had zero leg pain! I ran into a physical therapist friend last week who recommended new shoes, and that seems to have helped. Kept the pace pretty consistent - nearly all miles between 7:45 and 8:00. (I also notice that the average time for today's run was exactly the same as that of the two runs to South Philly and back yesterday.) Finished strong with mile 17 at 7:39. Would have liked to have done 20, but had to get home in time to set up tables for the Halloween block party at 4:00.

We had a fun but tiring Halloween. Some friends stopped by for chili, and we prepared a batch of 50 hot dogs for the party. Had everything cleared up and out of treats by 8:00. We had about 200 trick-or-treaters this year, which is a bit more than the past couple of years. Weather was nice, Phillies weren't playing, and it was a weekend, all of which helped the turnout, I'm sure.

Run, Jog, Run - 13 miles

Run to Paul's
Garmin Link
3.61 miles
7:51 pace

Jog With Paul
Garmin Link
5.02 miles

Home From Paul's
Garmin Link
4.5 miles
7:51 pace

Did my normal Saturday jog with Paul today, but ran there and back - not a long distance, but made a decent pace for running through the city. Traffic wasn't bad on a Saturday. Foot was not too bad. I tried a new pair of shoes on the advice of a friend who's a physical therapist. Would like to get in a long run tomorrow to finish off the month - still haven't done the traditional 20-mile run before the marathon. We'll see how it goes tomorrow.

Back on the Street - 8 miles

Garmin Link
8.02 miles
7:45 pace

That last run, as magic and in the zone as it was, was a really bad move. I ended up hurting my right foot, and it still isn't right. I did a couple of three-mile jogs with Paul the past two Saturdays, but otherwise haven't run at all until today. It really hasn't gotten much better, but I only have 3 and a half weeks until the marathon, so I've got to either keep up my fitness or fail trying.

Things will be alright if it doesn't get worse - although the foot was still hurting today, it wasn't enough to slow me up much - time was respectable - and did not seem to get worse during the course of the run.

On Monday got an acceptance letter from the Boston Athletic Association re: the marathon! It is in April during Doug's spring break, so I think we'll make a family vacation out of it and see New England, or at least Boston.

Fast Run inside a Slow Run - 13 miles

Garmin Link
13.1 miles
7:58 pace overall; 7:25 pace miles 4 through 13

Started out on a 5-mile jog with Raminder and Susan Wednesday afternoon. Had taken four days off after a 56-mile week ending Friday. Legs were a little achy through the weekend, although I wouldn't say injured.

By the time we got to the turnaround point, at 2.5, I was feeling good and wanted to run a bit more, so I split off and increased pace. First split on my own, mile 4, was 7:27 - quite fast for me - but felt comfortable. Kept under 7:30 for the next 9 miles - two splits considerably faster - under 7:10. I think that was my fastest ten mile stretch since the 2009 Broad Street Run.

Hope that bodes well for the marathon next month.

Friday 10/8
Garmin Link
8.51 miles
8:01 pace

Realized that I forgot to blog Friday's morning run. Not very fast and unremarkable except that it broke 56 miles for the week, which I think might be a 7-day record for me. While I still have to manage some leg pain, I think my threshold for mileage has definitely increased in the past year. I just have to be careful to know when to pull back.
8:01 pace

I realize that I forgot to blog a run Friday morning before work

Two Runs - 17 miles

Garmin Link
11.08 miles
7:56 pace

Wasn't as chipper this morning as on Monday, but managed to get out and keep the pace under 8:00 for eleven miles. The temperature was perfect - low fifties - and although I could feel some discomfort in the shins, Monday's fast 15-miler did not bring on full-fledged shin splints as I had feared.

Lunchtime run With Raminder
Garmin Link
6.24 miles
9:38 pace

Relaxed lunchtime run with my old friend Raminder. She is one of three people in my office, along with me and Chris, who have been Mississippi residents. She is from India, but got her graduate degree at Ole Miss. Chris spent his elementary school years at a military base in Meridian, MS.

Fastest Fifteen

Garmin Link
15.01 miles
7:39 pace

Had an unexpectedly great run today! Got up at 4:30 hoping to get to work then be on the road by 6:00, but it was raining. Ended up waiting until after 11:00. Felt pretty good once I got going. No longer raining, but overcast and cool - mid 50's. Did just the west side of the East Falls loop, crossing over to the east side for about half a mile before retracing my steps back. The trail on the east side was so muddy Saturday, it wasn't going to be any better after this morning's rain. Kept surprising myself as the splits were very good, and running felt pretty easy. Maybe it was taking last week off. Fastest split was mile 13 at 7:16. Seven miles were under 7:35, which is pretty fast for me. I'm certain I've never done a 15-miler this fast. So this gives me some confidence for the marathon, which is about 7 weeks away - 11/21.

Saturday Run (12.5) and Jog (3 miles)

Garmin Link
12.52 miles
8:03 pace

Got out at 6:15 this morning (temp was about 50) and decided to do the East Falls loop before meeting Paul at 8:00 for our usual Saturday morning jog. Started out slow to gauge how the leg felt, and after the first three miles settled into a ~8:00 pace. Leg felt OK, and actually felt better after the run than before.

The river had flooded over the path in many places and I had to dodge and splash through some mud and debris. We'll see how the Nike Lunarlites do in the washer.

Jog with Paul
Garmin Link
3.28 miles
9:40 pace

Made it up to Paul's door at 7:58 - lucky timing after 12.5 miles. We did a little less than our usual 3.5-4 miles since Paul had an errand to run at the Barnes & Noble. We met Marie for lunch at the Italian Market - shared a couple of delicious panini sandwiches. I got some Italian loaves from Sarcone's Bakery and sausage and pancetta from D'Angelo Bros Meats.

Thursday Jog at Work - 5 miles

Took most of last week off as right shin had a sharp pain. Tested the waters Thursday with a lunchtime jog with Raminder, Susan and Steve. Didn't have the Forerunner, but I think Raminder and I were doing about a 9:00 pace. Injury felt OK after the first mile or so. Wasn't able to try again on Friday because of torrential rains. (I neglected to clear the storm drain in the back yard, so was up at 4:00am Friday bailing about 45 gallons of water from the basement.)

Saturday Jog With Paul - 3.5 miles

Garmin Link
3.54 miles

Met buddy Paul for our regular easy Saturday jog. Legs were still painful - the old shin splint-type problem.... Took Sunday off instead of running the 20-miler that I was hoping to do (and was fearful of). Will try an early run Monday and see how they feel. Want to get two or three 20-milers under my belt in the next two months before the marathon.

Two Runs Today - 13 miles

Morning Run:
Garmin Link
8.65 miles
7:56 pace

Went a little further and a little faster than yesterday, despite the temp (69 degrees) and humidity edging up into slightly uncomfortable territory.

Lunch Jog With Work Buddies:
Garmin Link
5.04 miles
8:36 pace

Started out with Chris, Raminder and Susan, but Chris and I eased ahead after about a mile and a half, and gradually increased speed - mile 4 was 7:45. Temp was in the low 80s, but we were distracted by conversation - a real benefit of running with a partner.

Keeping Up - 8.5 miles

Garmin Link
8.51 miles
7:59 pace

Right leg was still hurting this morning, but settled down after the first half mile or so. Was still tired - I think it's the change of seasons - but just managed to keep an 8:00 pace. It's supposed to break 90 degrees today, but it was still about 66 degrees when I ran this morning.

Tired Monday - 8 miles

Garmin Link
8.09 miles
8:12 pace

Got out early this morning, although I wasn't feeling great - still a bit tired and headachey, and legs are hurting again. Took it easy, which wasn't hard to do. Temp was a pleasant 63 degrees. It really is probably just as well that I didn't race yesterday.

Jog With Paul - 7 miles

Run to Paul's:
Garmin Link
3.5 miles
7:49 pace

Jog with Paul
Garmin Link
3.76 miles

Well, I discovered on Friday that I wasn't registered for the half-marathon. I don't know what happened - registered for the marathon in November on the same night, so maybe I got the confirmation emails confused. I almost got a friend of a friend with an injury to let me run in his place, but he changed his mind and decided to run after all. (I just checked his time, and it looks like he walked it.)

Anyway, I'm disappointed to have missed the race, but maybe it is just as well. I had a cold this weekend and wasn't feeling that well. Did do my regular jog with Paul on Saturday, and met up with our friend Marie afterward at the Italian Market. I must have messed up my legs on Thursday, because they were still hurting Saturday.

Redemption! - 8 miles

Garmin Link
8.03 miles
7:41 pace

Missed the jog with Chris, Raminder and Susan because of a noon meeting, but went out myself at 1:00. Felt much better than yesterday - even with a little leg pain - and kept a good pace throughout. Each mile was well under 8:00, and the last four were all in the 7:30's. Of course I'll have to do this faster and longer on Sunday to beat last year's time, but races always seem to go better than training runs. I guess it's the adrenaline and all of the other runners pacing you. Tony is aiming for about the same time I am - between 1:35 and 1:40 - so maybe we'll run into each other. Actually, anything under 1:40 will be an achievement at this point, and I won't be disappointed with anything in the low 1:40's.

Friday, Saturday, Monday, Tuesday Runs

Friday, 9/10
Garmin Link
8.51 miles
8:03 pace

Saturday - jog with Paul
Garmin Link
7.03 miles

Monday - Back at Work
Garmin Link
8.03 miles
7:52 pace

Tuesday - Hurting and Tired
Garmin Link
7.03 miles
8:19 pace

Running has been up and down this past week, and I haven't kept blog posts up to date. Had some good runs in the 8-mile/8:00 pace range, but the every day running schedule seemed to take its toll yesterday, and I had to cut my lunchtime run short because I was just too tired. Will do a slow jog with some work buddies today, maybe a last serious run tomorrow if legs aren't hurting, then take Friday off, and jog a couple of miles with Paul on Saturday. The race is Sunday. Hoping to hit 1:40, which would be about two minutes off last year's time. If I can get into a groove of about 7:30/mile, I could possibly beat last year's time - not likely. I haven't been running at that pace, but sometimes odd things happen on race day.

14 Degrees Cooler! - 8 miles

Garmin Link
8.01
7:57 pace

62 degrees at 6:30 this morning, plus a nice breeze. Had a blister on my big toe, so took it a bit easier for the first couple of miles, but had negative splits from mile four on to finish up under 8:00/mile. Fall can't come fast enough for me - the cooler weather makes running a whole different experience.

Humid Morning Run - 8 miles

Garmin Link
8.02 miles
8:00 pace

It was kind of a tough run this morning, even after six days off. I had some stomach trouble Saturday, and might have still been a little weak. But even with the uncomfortable temp and humidity (76 degrees, 75% by 6:00am), managed to make my target pace. But it was a struggle to keep going after the fifth mile. I would like to do a last long run (>13 miles) this weekend before the half-marathon on the 19th. Hope I'm up to it.

Heat Slowing me Down - 8 miles

Garmin Link
8.02 miles
8:15 pace
76 degrees at 6:30am

Had to force myself to get out and run today - not sure what opportunity I'll have over the weekend, so want to get those miles in now. High temps are back in the mid-90's this week, and it was 76 by the time I started out at about 6:30 from work. Took the speed easy, but it was still a struggle and the last mile was about all I could do. Fastest split was mile 6 at 8:05.

Hot Weather Returns - 5 miles plus 4 miles

Monday lunchtime:
Garmin Link
5.01 miles
7:54 pace

Early Tuesday:
Garmin Link
4.05 miles
7:53 pace

Wanted to get a run in Monday, but was a bit stiff in the morning from the 15-miler on Sunday. By lunchtime I was feeling better, and decided to try an 8-miler at lunch. I wasn't counting on the weather however, which after a couple of relatively mild weeks, was up to about 90 by lunchtime. At the four-mile turnaround point I was feeling the heat, and decided to stop after five. Still kept the pace under 8:00.

This morning I got out first thing, before the heat of the day, and decided to make up the lost miles from yesterday. Had a 7:30 meeting at work, so didn't have much time, but got four miles in, running a two-mile loop around home. Couldn't quite get under an 8:00 pace until the last mile, which at 7:19 brought the average down to my target.

Would like to do eight-milers tomorrow and Thursday, but with the temp forecast for 97 degrees today, it might not cool down that much tonight.

Signed up for the Philly Marathon (11/21/10) yesterday.

Fast Fifteen and Jog with Paul

Jog with Paul Saturday:
Garmin Link
3.79 miles

Fifteen on Sunday:
Garmin Link
15.01 miles
7:59 pace

Had a nice jog and chat with Paul Saturday in Center City. It was a beautiful Saturday morning with low humidity. The most pleasant of our Saturday jogs yet.

This morning I decided to do another distance run, so left the house at 6:30 aiming for 15 miles. Felt a little stiff pain, so started with a slow pace, but gradually sped up until mile 8 was under 8:00. Continued fast enough to bring the average pace for the entire run just barely under 8:00. Mile 13 was fastest at 7:23. I'm at 112 miles for August, which is the most in one month this year by about 15 miles. Maybe I can squeeze in another 8 tomorrow to make 120.