Week Nine: Monday

The first run after a long run has, in my career, typically been a good run. Today was no exception. The weather was perfect and I felt great after Sunday's complete rest.  My legs were good--no aches or soreness. A bit of a head cold or lingering allergies persist, but without a fever, I plan on running through it.  This week's schedule of 7-8-8-17 adds a mile to week eight's total prior to a "step-down" for week ten.

Time: 1:03:53
Distance: 7.04
9:04 avg. min/mile
Temp: 63 degrees Fahrenheit

Week Eight: Saturday

Left the house a bit later than I had intended; however, it made absolutely no difference in the scheme of things.  Beautiful morning with the temperature at 61 degrees, a slight breeze and low humidity: optimum conditions to undertake a 16-miler.  Stashed the carbs at mile-8, refueled and headed around for the second act.  Overall, I have no complaints.  It was a solid run.  I felt strong from beginning to end--actually ran a bit faster than I intended, though.  The endorphins kicked in around mile 12 and I really started to have a good time.  Giddier than usual. More importantly, my legs feel good now--10 hours after the fact.

Time: 2:39:28
Distance: 16.40
9:43 avg. min/mile
Temp: 61 degrees Fahrenheit

Total miles (week): 39
Total miles (training) : 244
Weight: 187 lbs. (no change for three consecutive weeks)

Wek Eight: Friday

Once again, in an effort to hit the whirlpool and steam, I made it to the gym at 530 am.  Back and Bi workout was 40-minutes.  Whirlpool was out of commission and the steam room was lame...

Week Eight: Thursday

Hit the streets at 500 am in a steady rain. There is nothing like running in the rain...except maybe the Indy 500.  Obscure movie reference, to be sure.  Anyway, did my scheduled 7-miles and loved it.  Temperature was in the high 50s.  Tomorrow I head back to the gym...Saturday's 16-miles will complete week eight.  Here's to Autumn!

Time: 1:06:37
Distance: 7.06 miles
9:27 avg. min/mile
Temp: 57 degrees Fahrenheit (with thunderstorms)

Week Eight: Wednesday

Opened the gym at 5:30 am with the other dozen or so usual suspects who are always there "before the sunlight hits the olive oil."  Chest and Tricep workout this morning, followed by whirlpool and steam.  Just like the Old Days...

Week Eight: Tuesday

Tweaked the schedule a bit to have a couple of back to back runs in lieu of a workout today.  So this morning was an 8-miler with excellent running conditions--cool, no wind, low-humidity .  Will lift a bit tomorrow and then hit the road Thursday and Saturday mornings to close out week eight.

Time: 1:16:448
Distance: 8.06 miles
9:32 avg. min/mile
Temp: 62 degrees Fahrenheit

Week Eight: Monday

Sufficiently recovered from Saturday's excesses, I hit the road this morning for a 7-mile start to week eight.  It was a cool, still morning with the temperature in the low 60s.  A solid, methodical run ensued.  This week's schedule is 7-8-8-16.  Finally, according to my rudimentary calculations, November 20th is a mere 60-days away.

Time: 1:06:04
Distance: 7.00 miles
9:26 avg. min/mile
Temp: 63 degrees Fahrenheit

Week Seven: Saturday

Although it was a beautiful, cool Saturday morning, I did not complete the full 16-mile run. I was simply not feeling it this morning. It was mainly between my ears, but spurred on by issues with equipment--left my shoes out in the rain and had to pull out an old pair.  Most sane people would not be affected by something as banal; however, I, on the other hand, never found any mojo...finished 8 and took it to the house.  These things happen from time to time. 16 next week...

Time: 1:20:36
Distance: 8.01
9:07 avg. min/mile
Temp: 63 degrees Fahrenheit

Total miles (week): 30
Total miles (training) : 205
Weight: 187 lbs. (no change)

Week Seven: Friday

Very nice weather for an 8-mile run--overcast, cool, post-rain and a slight North breeze. Another l/s morning. Felt solid and strong from the onset--had to keep myself slow, as tomorrow's 16 will be hard enough without having to fight through soreness or lack of energy. Will double this route on Saturday.

Time: 1:14:20
Distance: 8.10
9:11 avg. min/mile
Temp: 59 degrees Fahrenheit

Week Seven: Thursday

Back and Bi with a twist: headed to the whirlpool and steam room for a few minutes post-workout. It was a nice change on a very cool and windy morning...30-minutes of actual workout.

Week Seven: Wednesday

Out the door at 530 am meant that I had to cut the run short: did six of a planned eight miler. Weather was hot and humid with the temperature a not-so-fall-like 80 degrees.  Felt slow and a bit sluggish, probably due to the brisket and baked bean blow-out that I had for dinner on Tuesday. Work functions are the best! Any radical change in diet--even for a meal--usually brings explosive results! Lovely. The 16-miler for Saturday looms...

Time: 56:32
Distance: 6.01
9:24 avg. min/mile
Temp: 80 degrees Fahrenheit

Week Seven: Tuesday

Heading off to the gym and a Chest-Tri workout...45-minutes of fun to start the day.

Week Seven: Monday

Week Seven's Monday run is 8 miles, as are the Wednesday and Friday runs.  Saturday's 16 will put the weekly total at 40.  This morning's run was nice and easy. The temp was around 66 degrees, so I left the long sleeves at home.  No right knee issue. Running closer to the 9-minute/mile mark in the cooler weather has been nice.  I would like to shave another 30 or 40-seconds off my pace...

Time: 1:12:53
Distance: 8.01
9:06 avg. min/mile
Temp: 66 degrees Fahrenheit 

Week Six: Saturday

Week Six being a step-down week means that the long run is a 10-miler. Stepped out to high 50s. Long-sleeves yet again. Did a continuous loop instead of doubling a 5-mile route. Reverse looped, as well. Slowed down a bit, but felt like I could have run all morning. Felt good. Solid. Week Seven's long run increases to 16 miles...so I enjoyed this very manageable ten.

Time: 1:36:36
Distance: 10.00
9:53 avg. min/mile
Temp: 58 degrees Fahrenheit

Total miles (week): 31
Total miles (training) : 175
Weight: 187 lbs. (no change)

Week Six: Friday

Another beautiful morning. 57 degrees. Wore long sleeves for another 7-mile maintenance run. (Next week's runs increase to 8-miles.) Felt faster yet again. Sub-9 minute miles for the first time since beginning the Higdon Regime.

Time: 1:02:10
Distance: 7.00 miles
8:53 avg. min/mile
Temp: 57 degrees Fahrenheit

Week Six: Thursday

Back to the gym for my weekly Back and Bi workout.  Spent 45-minutes at the gym.

Week Six: Wednesday

Dawn Patrol. Super weather continues. Long Sleeves out of the closet and in to the rotation. Felt a bit faster today. Right knee soreness, though nothing too heavy.

Time: 1:0:34
Distance: 7.01 miles
9:04 avg. min/mile
Temp: 61 degrees Fahrenheit

Week Six: Tuesday

The cool weather remains...and I headed of for an AM session of weights. Chest and Tri workout.  45-minutes at the gym.

Week Six: Monday

Week Six begins with great news: the oppressive heat that we have been experiencing finally broke, at least for this week!  The temperature for this morning's Labor Day run was 61 degrees. Beautiful. An easy 7-miles at 530 am. I felt much faster than my time suggests, perhaps that has to do with being giddy getting to run in long-sleeves. Here's hoping for the cool temps to linger...

Time: 1:06:16
Distance: 7.01 miles
9:26 avg. min/mile
Temp: 61 degrees Fahrenheit

Week Five: Saturday

A solid 14-mile long run to close out week five of training. Hit the street at 500am to complete two of my "go to" 7-mile circuit runs. It was a strong run and, more importantly, I felt good all afternoon--not too tired, sore, or achy. Hell, I didn't even take a nap! Week Six is a "step down" week, with a long run of a mere 10-miles next Saturday. I plan on the following schedule for the week: 7-7-7-10.

Time: 2:30:14
Distance: 14.00
10:44 avg. min/mile

Temp: 80 degrees Fahrenheit
Total miles (week): 32.7
Total miles (training) : 144
Weight: 187 lbs.

Week Five: Friday

Dawn Patrol. Was to be 7-miles of fun, but gastrointestinal issues cut the run short by a mile and a half. Funky chicken at lunch on Thursday, perhaps...Out the door at 500am due to the extreme heat and humidity. Buses, campers and RVs already parked in anticipation for tomorrow's game. 14-miles on tap for tomorrow...

Time: 56:45
Distance: 5.71
9:56 avg. min/mile
Temp: 82 degrees Fahrenheit

Week Five: Thursday

Back and Bi workout...45-minutes at the gym.

Week Five: Wednesday

Dawn Patrol. 7-miles for a boost in mid-week mileage. The gradual uptick in mileage is a great part of the Higdon training regime, as it takes the guesswork out of when and how much to increase. Heat and humidity continue to be an issue, even as they lost their novelty months ago. Ran a bit faster this morning--closer to July times--though I still lack around 40-seconds per mile to get there. Lifting on Thursday...

Time: 1:04:45
Distance: 7.05
9:11 avg. min/mile
Temp: 81 degrees Fahrenheit