A Spring-like Day!

Today was the day that many of us Wisconsinites were looking forward to... getting back to some normal and milder temperatures. This past winter was definitely a lot less harsh than the previous winter, but still, it's always nice to look forward to the days when it's not so cold, windy or snowy. Today it was not any of that. "Old Man Winter" was nowhere to be found. Probably out getting a tan somewhere or booking his spring break plans with his travel agent like everyone else. In any case, we were given a real nice day to get outside and it was definitely taken advantage of by me. For the second straight day I was able to wear shorts and it felt good. Yesterday I probably could have gotten away with my winter attire because it was a lot more chilly out, but today if I would have done that, I would have been way overdressed. As it was, I felt a little overdressed wearing shorts a long sleeve shirt and a wind jacket, but still I wasn't majorly overheated. Just a little warm at times. I'd take that anyday. Despite the idyllic March weather, I really didn't have an outstanding run. The first half was good as I was running around 7:45 pace or so. The second half was a different story. Most of the second half I had the wind in my face and my legs were just feeling a tad flat and achy. That's not a real surprise though, since I'm coming off a good 20 miler last Saturday and Tuesday and today were both 11.5 mile efforts. The 'ol tree trunks have been putting in some pretty decent miles as of late. Last week I put in a solid 52 miles and only ran five days. This week I'm headed for a little over 40. I figure my legs need a bit of a respite and today's run proved that. Again, it wasn't anything bad... just a little achy. As most runners will attest to, that will happen from time to time. That's why I look forward to my days off... and tomorrow is one of them.

Today's workout: 11.5 miles > 1:33:50 > 8:10 pace

Miles this week: 28.5

First 20 Miler of the Year in the Bag

Well, I'm back at it again. After taking a nice, long sabbatical from writing since November I thought I would start things up again. I just needed a little bit of time away from my esoteric journal because sometimes I even get sick about talking about running. Hard to believe, huh? I know that probably seems highly unlikely to most people but it's true. Sometimes it seems like all I do is eat, sleep and drink running and because of that, I just needed to quell one aspect of it for a bit, and that one aspect was this blog. Don't worry... I still had plenty of running stuff to occupy me. I was still training hard (usually five times a week and over 40 miles) despite some crappy winter weather, still writing in my John Jerome yearly running log, and still working a day or two a week at Movin' Shoes, one of Madison's local running shops. You see... plenty to occupy and satisfy my running fix. Who needs a running blog, right? Well, despite enjoying the time away from the blog, I did miss writing an entry or two every once in awhile. After starting "The Road Scholar" up last May and keying in over 90 some entries, it did get a little habit forming. Still, I can't promise that it won't happen again where I take a little time away to recharge my battery. I think every writer needs that from time to time, whether professional or neophyte. It is good to be back though, and I know everybody out there in the running community was waiting for this moment with bated breath... yeah right. I'm sure most people could care less.

Well as I stated in the heading, last Saturday I got in my first 20 mile training run of the year in and it felt good to do something of that quality. The weather was tolerable for it too. That usually is my main concern no matter what season I am dealing with here in Wisconsin. Saturday was cold but definitely nothing unbearable or that made me cringe. The temp starting out was around 10 degrees and there was a pretty decent wind blowing out of the northwest. I really didn't want to layer up as much as I did that day but when it's that brisk out, you have to. Despite the cold temps, windy weather and the constricting clothing it was sunny out which helped matter greatly. It's funny... in my entries during the summer months I would always lament over how I hate sunny days because the sunshine would just drain me and overheat me during long runs... overcast days are so much more comfortable during the summer months. Winter it's the polar opposite... I would much rather have it sunny because that sun really warms you up on those chilly days. The shade just makes it all the much colder. So the sun shining out last Saturday was a real blessing and actually made the chilly morning quite comfortable. My route for the 20 miler was my usual one. Heading out from my apartment in Monona down to the Vilas Zoo area, around the arboretum loop and then down to the capitol. Because it's only March, the water fountains have yet to be turned on (and probably won't be on for a good month or longer) so I decided to stop at the Starbucks on the square for some agua. I was at 14 miles at that point in my run and I did need to get a little hydration in me as well as some carb gel. The Starbucks people are always nice to give me a good glass of ice water and it is always appreciated. Boy, did it taste good too. After a mini break I was back on my way for the remaining six miles that took me by the Willy St. neighborhood and Olbrich Park. The run was a good one... I really can't complain. Legs weren't achy and I ran a nice steady pace. Even ran a couple mile splits in the 7:30 range at the end. That's always a good sign.

Because the Boston Marathon didn't work out for me this year, I am planning to do the Green Bay Marathon this May 17th with my good friends Dave and Steve. Green Bay will always be sentimental for me because that is where I started my marathoning journey back in 2003. It was one heck of a learning experience and I have gained much marathoning knowledge since then. It's hard to believe that this May's marathon will be my 11th. There was a time that I didn't think I would be able to do one. I love proving myself wrong.

Again, it's good to be back.

Saturday's workout: 20.1 miles > 2:42:50

Miles last week: 52

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