Running Through a Small Lake

In Bill Rodgers' Lifetime Running Plan, he once stated:

"In the 30 years I've been a runner I've run more than 150,000 miles.
Still, some of the hardest steps I take are those first few getting out the door
for daily runs."

Those are very sage words coming from a great marathoner, and they certainly ring true for me. I've only run a fraction of his 150,000 miles (close to 10,000), but I certainly know what he means when he says some of the hardest steps to take are those first ones getting your butt out the door to run. I definitely felt like that this morning. After finishing up yesterday with a hard 11 miles and 55 miles for the week, I had the hardest of times getting myself motivated to get out of bed and get in a simple five mile run. For whatever reason, it just seemed like such a daunting task. Still, I did force myself outside, and after a few achy steps, felt pretty decent despite the warm weather. The hardest part of the run came a little more than two miles into the run when I turned on the Capitol City Bike Path and came upon a fairly big section of standing water that just seemed to swallow up the asphalt. After stopping to survey the area, and deliberating as to whether to double back to complete my run, I just said the heck with and plowed through the over ankle high water. The experience reminded me of running from the beach into the shallows of a lake up in Northern Wisconsin. After emerging from the other side, shoes and socks completely soaked, I squished my way back home, averaging 7:44 pace for the run but wondering if I should have just stayed in bed.

Today's workout: 5.1 miles > 39:26 > 7:44 pace

Miles this week: 5.1

New Record for the Week

Yesterday's day off from running did me a world of good because when I was able to squeeze in my Sunday run between a reprieve of severe weather, my legs felt a lot fresher than they had been the last couple of days. I was able to get in my run in the early part of the afternoon, after the rain had subsided a bit. I thought it might be a little muggy after the rainfall, but it actually turned out to be quite nice. The skies were overcast, and although it was a touch warm, a nice breeze offset the mugginess. Because the conditions were good and my legs felt strong once again, I was able to cirlce Lake Monona in a little over an hour and 20 minutes. Averaging 7:22 pace for 11 miles was a good way to end the week... that, and the fact that with todays run, I was able to hit the 55 mile barrier for the week. That is a new record for me. I never thought that would have been possible a few years ago with all the running injuries that I was incurring while running mileage that was significantly less than it is now. I guess my legs finally got used to the marathon pounding.

Today's workout: 11.1 miles > 1:21:42 > 7:22 pace

Miles this week: 55.6

Looking Forward To a Day Off... Sort of

After running 35 miles the past three days, I am looking forward to taking a day of rest tomorrow. I really wasn't looking forward to running this morning, but I figured I should get a run in today because tomorrow is supposed to be even warmer. Today wasn't horrible by any means, though. It was a tad muggy, but that was offset a bit by the strong breeze that was blowing today. It was mostly cloudy too, which is always nice. The first mile or so was a bit achy and sluggish, but eventually I loosened up and felt more comfortable running. It was a good run overall, but I was glad when it was done... I was just totally drenched from the warmer weather.

Part of me would actually like to run tomorrow because if I would do a small 5 miler, and then an 11 miler on Sunday, I would have 60 miles of running for the week. I have never gotten close to that barrier and it would be pretty cool to do so. My legs do need a day off, though, and if I do 11 on Sunday, I will still have 55 miles for the week and that would be a new record for me as far as weekly mileage goes. I guess it's a win/win situation.

Today's workout: 9.1 miles > 1:09:22 > 7:37 pace

Miles this week: 44.5

Feeling Like the Tin Man

As I stated after doing the Syttende Mai 20 mile race, one of the toughest days to run can be the day after doing a hard race or a workout. That was somewhat the case today as I did a recovery run from yesterdays 22 miler. The first few steps were somewhat painful. Now I know what the tin man from "The Wizard of Oz" must have felt like after that old hag of a witch made it rain on him, rusting up his joints. I,too, could have used a little oil or lubrication for my hips, knees and ankles. It wasn't too bad, though. I really wasn't sore as much as I was achy. The achiness dissipated pretty quickly, though... about a mile or so into the run. I am sure glad I did the long run yesterday instead of today, though. This morning it was pretty hot and sticky out, and by the end of my little 4 miler, I was pretty much drenched with sweat. Tomorrow is supposed to be another hot and muggy day so it should be interesting trying to run 8 to 9 miles in that. Despite the hot weather here, I noticed up in Duluth the temp was around 52 degrees... Hopefully that is a good omen for Grandma's Marathon in a couple of weeks.

Today's workout: 4.1 miles > 32:16 > 7:53 pace

Miles this week: 35.4

Finally... An Easy 20

It doesn't matter how good of shape I'm in, I usually never look forward to the days when I do my 20 mile training runs. Just too many things can go wrong... bad weather conditions, achy legs or just having a bad overall day where the run just seems like it's never going to end. Today, I was finally rewarded with a good 22 mile training run where the weather conditions were great and the run just seemed to fly by. I had an inkling it was going to be a good day when I stepped outside and the sky was overcast and the temp was cool with very little wind. As I told you a couple entries ago, I usually run my best when it's those type of conditions. As far as the run going quick, I think a lot of that had to do with the fact that I was running in some areas that I usually don't get to run in or hadn't run in a long time. Since I have been dogsitting on the westside of Madison since Saturday, I decided that my long run should include some places like the Village of Shorewood Hills, Picnic Point and the bike path leading to the Memorial Union. I also ran up State St. to the capitol and did a nice loop around the arboretum. While running through the arb, I happened to meet up with my good friend Dave, who was also out doing his 20 miler. We ran together for about 3 miles or so, and it a nice way to break up the monotony of doing a long run. I don't mind running by myself, but it is also nice when I can go for a run and have the company of a good friend. That can make running even more enjoyable. After Dave and I went our separate ways, I did an additional four miles and finished up the 22 miler pretty strong. This was the longest training run I had done to date... and the fastest. I covered the 22 miles at a 7:32 clip. I should be ready for Grandma's Marathon in a couple of weeks.

Today's workout: 22.2 miles > 2:47:31 > 7:32 pace

Miles this week: 31.3

A Warm One

This morning I awoke to find it fairly warm and a touch muggy outside. Although I had all day to run, since I am still on vacation, I decided to get my run over with before it got any hotter. Like the previous couple runs, I started out feeling fairly sluggish. Legs just haven't had too much pep in them lately, but, then again, I have been logging quite a few miles. As the run progressed, I did feel a little better. Running in a few shaded areas helped too. Later in the run, had to stop and take off my shirt because I was just getting too warm. Doing that also made a difference in me feeling a little better. Am going to take tomorrow off to give my legs some rest and then try to get in my last 20 mile training run for Grandma's either Wednesday or Thursday morning. Hopefully that will go well.

Today's workout: 9.1 miles > 1:09:05 > 7:35 pace

Miles this week: 9.1

Sluggish Sunday Run

After taking a well deserved day off yesterday from running four consecutive days, I was back out on the road early this morning to get in a long run. Since I am currently dogsitting for some people I know, my normal long run route was changed up a bit, which was nice. The people I dogsit for live on the westside of Madison and because of that I am able to run on some nice, shaded bike paths near where they live. The nicest path is the one near Camp Randall Stadium down on campus. A lot of nice trees overhang the path and provide some nice, cool shade. Despite the shade and cool weather, I didn't feel particularly great starting out this morning. My legs a little tired and sluggish at the beginning and I just felt kind of tired as a whole. After about four or five miles I started feeling a bit more like myself and my pace picked up considerably. Despite the slow start, I was able to get in a good 12 miles today and finish off the week strong. Averaged 7:27 pace for the run.

A quick sidenote: After my run this morning, I headed to Milwaukee and had a front row seat right behind homeplate to watch the Brewers and Astros play their series finale. The ticket was fairly pricey but was well worth the money. It is a whole different experience to watch a game right behind the backstop and homeplate. You really feel like you are part of the game. The Brewers wound up winning 10-1 and swept the series. My parents also said they saw me on tv sitting there in the front row... pretty cool.

Today's workout: 12.1 miles > 1:30:12 > 7:27 pace

Miles this week: 47.5