Shorts Were a "No Go" Yesterday

Yesterday it was nice to be able to run around the lake again after spending six days on the Westside. Like I said in my earlier blog postings, I enjoy the change of scenery and enjoy running the Camp Randall loop like I had been doing the past few days but it's always nice to be able to run "my home course" which is Lake Monona. With as many times as I've run it (probably well over a hundred times), you would think I would be sick of it but I'm not. It's one of the nicest loops there is. Of course, I'm a little biased in thinking that. Anyways, it was nice to be back on the east side, even despite the brisk weather. Initially, after waking up, I put on shorts thinking that I could run in them like I had the past few days. I was wrong. After stepping outside and having the chilly November wind hit my bare legs, I had second thoughts, turned right around and went back inside to put on long running pants. It was just to chilly, especially with the strong wind. If there wasn't such a harsh wind blowing, I probably would have persevered and stayed in shorts but that North wind was just too strong and chilly. It really made running towards the Monona Terrace tough... like running into a brick wall. I knew I would get a reprieve the second half of the run and I did. Those northerly wind gusts that were holding me back for the first five miles gave me a gentle push in the back the second half and it was a very welcome push. Like the past several runs, yesterdays pace wasn't a blistering one (7:51 avg.) but that was fine with me. I know my average pace per run is going to start to slow a bit with the imminent winter weather coming. It was just nice to get in a solid 11 miler around the lake again.

Yesterday's workout: 11.1 miles > 1:27:09 > 7:51 pace

Miles this week: 19.5

Good To Be Back Home Again

Well, my umpteenth dog sitting stint this year with Ziggy is finally over. I was able to lie in the comfort of my own bed last night for the first time in six days. That is always a welcome feeling. I do have to say though, that the little shavetail was a lot better this time than the last time when I had to babysit him in September. This time, most nights, he would let me sleep pretty much throughout the night instead of getting up countless times to go out and do his business. That made things a lot easier and me a lot less cranky. Since yesterday was the final day at the 'ol Zigster's dog pad, I went for one final run down by Camp Randall Stadium and up the East/West bikepath. It was probably the chilliest day of the year yet. I think when I stepped outside it was something like °22 degrees. You know what though, I still ran in shorts. I didn't feel like putting on long running pants and despite the chilly weather it was actually pretty nice out. The sun was out shining and there wasn't too much of a wind chill. Despite wearing shorts, I still bundled up my upper body. Like I said the other day, I don't like being chilled in my upper torso... that is no fun at all. It was an enjoyable last run on the westside, though. I didn't set a blistering pace by any means (7:54), but it was still an enjoyable run nonetheless in that it was such a nice morning to take some clean, crisp air into the 'ol lungs. It was a good way to finish up dog sitting. Auf wiedersehen, Ziggy!

Yesterday's workout: 8.5 miles > 1:07:09 > 7:54 pace

Miles this week: 8.5

Weekend Miles in Shorts

Just a short litte entry to let you know how my weekend miles went. It was brisk weather wise, that is for sure. Despite the cool, crisp weather I was still able to run in shorts both Saturday and Sunday. I know... you probably think I'm nuts... and I am. My legs, however really don't feel the effects of the cold weather. It's my upper body that I usually bundle up a bit. So despite wearing shorts, I did wear two shirts, a running jackets, hats and gloves and was pretty comfortable running like that. The highlight of my weekend miles was running down by Camp Randall Saturday morning as people were heading there and preparing to watch the Badgers battle the Gophers for "the axe." Big rivalry game and it was a good one to watch later that day. Anyways, as I was running down Breese Terrace that leads you by the Camp, a couple guys were playing catch with a football and one of them yelled out to me to ask if I'd like to receive one. I nodded in approval and he let one go... a lame duck... it bounced in front of me but I did catch it on the hop, though. Oh well, it was the thought that counted. I picked it up and off balance, threw a perfect spiral back to him. He was pretty impressed... so was I actually, since i was wearing gloves. It was fun though, and a nice way to break up the run. Badgers won by the way 35-32 to retain the Paul Bunyan Axe for the fifth straight year. Better luck next year "Golden Rodents."

Saturday's workout: 9.1 miles > 1:11:48 > 7:52 pace

Sunday's workout: 5.1 miles > 40:41 > 7:59 pace

Miles last week: 34.4

I Actually Got Some Sleep

Well, my first two night of dogsitting for "Ziggy the Great" actually went pretty well. If you remember the last time I was over on the westside babysitting the Zigster, he had me up several times in the wee hours of the morning so he could wee wee himself. It wasn't very much fun and I was walking around like a zombie because of it. I was hopeful that this time wouldn't be a repeat occurrence and so far it hasn't been. I have been keeping him in the bedroom where I sleep so he isn't prone to wander around and slip in some extra drinks of water and so far it has been working. He really hasn't been getting me up in the middle of the night to do his best Niagara Falls impression... he's been pretty much sleeping thru the night which I greatly appreciate. Because of that I feel much more rested this time around but I still have a few days to go with him.

The good night of zzzz's I was afforded on Wednesday night allowed me to get in a pretty good run on Thursday morning. I also had a double bonus of being able to run in shorts because it was a pretty mild November morning. I really thought those days were done, but hey, I'll take 'em when I can get 'em. I did have to wear a wind jacket though, because it was pretty gusty out and my upper body does have a tendency chilled as we go deeper into the calendar year. Again, it was nice to be able to run the Camp Randall loop that I do when I put up stakes for a few days on the westside to watch Ziggy. It's a nice little loop that takes you down by the edge of campus and up a nice bike path that leads back to Midvale and Mineral Pt. Rd's. I wasn't setting too blistering of a pace on Thursday because of the windy conditions but I was still running nice and steady and didn't feel sluggish, which is always a good thing. I plan on doing the loop again tomorrow morning but tomorrow I don't think I will be wearing shorts. It sounds like it's going to be a pretty cold and raw day with some nice and gusty wind conditions. I better get used to it though, because I know there is definitely more days like that on the horizon. I just hope Ziggy will let me get another good night sleep;)

Thursday's workout: 9.1 miles > 1:10:47 > 7:45 pace

Miles this week: 20.2

A Better Day to Run

After dealing with the cold, windy conditions of the weekend, today's weather offered a nice respite for my training run. I still had to bundle up a bit by putting on my long running pants, running jacket, hat and gloves, but the temp was much milder and the wind was not as severe. It was a nice change of pace from battling the wintry elements. The next few days could be a challenge, though. By the looks of things it looks like it could be a little rainy with some snow mixed. Hopefully I'll be able to find a break in the weather where I can get in a quality run. I will be doing my running on the westside again, though. Yep, you guessed it... more dogsitting for Ziggy. His owners are headed to Las Vegas tomorrow for six days to do a little gambling. Should be a blast. I'll have to remember to bring some tranquilizers... for me and for the dog;)

Today's workout: 11.1 miles > 1:26:22 > 7:45 pace

Miles this week: 11.1

What Kind of Winter Lies Ahead?

I was thinking this past weekend when I was out for my daily runs that if I were a new runner trying to get a head start on my New Years Resolutions, I might have just said "forget it" and stayed inside to drink hot cocoa and eat oreos. Saturday and Sunday were pretty raw days to be outside getting in some miles. They were both very cold and windy days and my winter running gear got an early test. I knew the weather was going to take a turn for the worse sooner or later but I was really hoping that it would be later rather than sooner. I survived though. It certainly is nothing new to me. Actually, if you put things in perspective, as cold and windy as this past weekend was, it was really like running in Tahiti in comparison to what me and the hardcore runners in Madison had to deal with last year. That was one harsh winter... one that I would rather not relive. The weatherman at the tv station I work at assured me that it should be a lot gentler this coming winter. He made the early prediction of just a paltry 48.2 inches of snow for the upcoming season. I'll take that in a heartbeat. I know the Farmer's Almanac is predicting a lot more snowflakes for the upcoming winter, but our venerable meteorologist says the heck with that. Why? Well, I'll just let you read about it in his station blog and then you can decide for yourself. As for me, I'm holding out hope that David is right. Last year he predicted around 68 inches and we ended up with over 100. Not too close, right? Well, anyone can have an off year. That must just mean that he's due this time around. If he's not... well, lets just say that he be make snow angels face down in the snow;)

Saturday's workout: 11.1 miles > 1:25:16 > 7:41 pace

Sunday's workout: 6.1 miles > 47:52 > 7:51 pace

Miles last week: 40.4

Oh, What New Shoes Can Do!

My shoes were getting flat. Tuesday's election day run was proof of that. During that 12 miler, my knees were a little more achy and my right achilles started to get a little twinge to it... sometimes a telling sign that it's time for a new pair. My first pair of Saucony's served me well, though. I decided to give them a try at the beginning of August after years of being loyal to New Balance, and after putting in close to 500 miles on them, they are pretty much on their "last legs." A new pair was definitely in order. So, on my way to work yesterday, I decided to stop off at Movin' Shoes and pick up a new pair. Let me tell you, there is nothing like getting a new pair of running shoes. They are so nice and bright and clean, and just like when you get a new car, they have that "new shoe smell" to them. That doesn't last long though. As most runners will attest to, as well as their family and friends, the cleanliness and the nice smell go away very quickly. After picking them up yesterday afternoon, I was looking forward to getting out on the road this morning to give them their first "test drive." The morning didn't look too promising, though. When I woke up, it was pretty rainy and very windy. Oh well. I was at least hopeful of getting in a good five or six miles on the new treads. I checked the radar and was optimistic that there was a little break in the weather where I could get in my run. I waited a little longer and finally the rain had subsided a bit to a light mist. The wind was a different story. It was still pretty windy. I didn't care though. I just wanted to get out there and get in a run with my new shoes. From the very first stride I took in my run today I could feel what a difference wearing fresh shoes made. It was like putting springs on my feet and running on clouds. I could feel the support and cushion for my feet making my legs spring to life and giving me that extra boost. After having run thousands of miles in my lifetime, it's always a welcome treat. Because my feet and legs were feeling so good, I didn't want to cheat myself by just running a basic five miler. Even though the skies were looking somewhat ominous and I didn't know what the impending weather held, I decided to risk it and run around the lake anyway. The first half of the run was great. I had news shoes and gusty wind at my back. I was flying. The second half was a different story. It was a little more challenging at times because that wind that was my back was now in my face. I did vary my route a bit so that I had trees and houses blocking it at times, but once I got to Olbrich Park, there was nothing there to protect and barricade me from the wind. That was ok, though. The new shoes were still providing me with that nice, new springiness to my step. I even finished up strong by running the last mile in 6:43. Not bad for the 11th mile with the wind in your face. New shoes... you gotta love 'em.

Today's workout: 11.1 miles > 1:22:22 > 7:25 pace

Miles this week: 23.2

Voting on the Run

Well, this morning I decided to kill two birds with one stone. I wanted to get in a decent long run especially with the impending long night ahead for me at the tv station with election coverage. A good long run before an expected busy night at work always helps me to stay focused and relaxed and helps me to get whatever worries and frustrations I have in me... out. Since today is the much anticipated election day where we the citizens of the United States have the wonderful right to choose a new president for the next four years, I thought I would exercise twice... exercise to stay fit and in shape, and then exercise my right to vote and then have a fit, depending on who wins;) So with that, I threw on my running garb, stowed my drivers license in my shorts pocket for proof of residence, and headed out for a run around the lake. The morning was an extremely mild one considering that it is now November 4th. The sun was out shining brightly and it was fairly cool but not as much as it has been the last week or so. As I was out running you could definitely tell there was a buzz in the air... a lot more foot traffic, bicycle traffic and traffic in general, all I'm assuming, heading to their respective polling places to vote. The lake route is always an enjoyable route to run but today it was even more enjoyable with the anticipation that at the end of the run I would be casting my ballot like millions of other voters in this country with the hope that you will be helping, in some small way, to shape the great foundation of these United States. It really is a pretty awesome thing once you sit and think about it. I was also happy in the fact knowing that the end of this day marks the end of all those "wonderful" political ads that we've been accustomed to seeing (and tuning out) over the past several months. That, in and of itself, is a reason to rejoice. I finished up my 12 mile run by the Monona Community Center, the polling station where I vote. After cooling down a bit, I headed inside to do my civic duty. I had come at a good time. It was mid-morning and the lines were very short. I was able to walk right in, give them my name and address, get my ballot and vote. I was in and out of there in probably five minutes. Actually, the reason it was so fast for me is that the people inside conducted another vote... they all voted to get me in and out of there as fast as they could since I was all sweaty from my run and not smelling the greatest. That was my plan all along... you've got to love America. I should have been a politician... but they're dirty and stink for other reasons.;) Get out there and VOTE!

Today's workout: 12.1 > 1:34:39 > 7:45 pace

Miles this week: 12.1

Miles last week: 37.7