December 31, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Campus Loop. Back out on the trail after a ten-day respite for the last run of 2015. Temp was a balmy 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 Celsius) with a slight North breeze. Started and finished slow-ish. No issues or complaints. Completed the 6.28 miles in 1:04:10 for a sub-sonic 10:13 min/mile pace. Mahalo.

December 21, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Campus Loop. Solid start to another week of running. Temp (37 degrees Fahrenheit, 3 Celsius) was super-manageable, even with a steady North breeze. Extended the route a bit for S and Gs. Finished the 6.47 mile loop in 1:05:42 for a super-sluggish 10:10 min/mile pace. Felt depleted and slow from about mile four onward. New shoes are on the horizon. Looming. Mahalo.

December 19, 2015

Daybreak. Campus Loop. Long Run. Per recent custom, I waited for the sunlight to hit the olive oil prior to hitting the trail. Temp was a manageable 30 degrees Fahrenheit (-1 Celsius) with a slight breeze out of the West. Layered up and set out from the Boyd Street Portal to the Southern Boundary, over to Jenkins and the Legacy Trail, and then back to the shack via Campus Corner and campus environs. Spartacus Redux Master Recordings on the box for this one: Grunge Masters in heavy 90's rotation. Poached a Port-a-Potty on the Southern Perimeter (super proud moment), as the Bowel-Related Issues (BRIs) were on the verge of becoming unmanageable. 19.90 miles for the week, plus two quality workouts at the gym. A solid week. Mahalo.

December 14 and December 17, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Campus Loop. Very windy out on the trail; not quite cold with 38 degrees Fahrenheit (3 Celsius).  Completed the 5.20 mile campus loop in a slowish 51:49 for a 9:57 min/mile pace.

Dawn Patrol. Cold Campus Loop. Layered up and hit the road in the pre-dawn hour. Temp was 28 degrees Fahrenheit (-2 Celsius) with a negligible wind out of the East. A pure mid-week maintenance run. Completed the 5.25 mile campus loop in 52:36 for a sub-sonic 10:01 min/mile pace. Mahalo.

December 12, 2015

Daybreak. Campus Loop. Unseasonably warm and humid conditions: temps (61 degrees Fahrenheit, 16 Celsius) and the 100% humidity made it feel like an early September morning. Left the house a few minutes before the sun hit the olive oil for a nice and easy maintenance run. Headed South to the Highway 9 boundary and then returned home through Little China and surrounding environs. Completed the 6.40 miles in 1:03:06 for a sub-sonic 9:52 min/mile pace. Ended the week with three runs (16 miles) and two solid gym workouts: back and bi, chest and tri. A solid week. Off Sunday to recuperate. Monday it begins again. Mahalo.

December 9, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Cold Campus Loop. Back on the trail after a nice AM workout at the gym on Tuesday. Temps were hovering around freezing (32 degrees Fahrenheit, 0 Celsius) with a negligible South breeze. Started and finished slow and constrained. No issues, just a slow day at the office. Finished the 5.15 mile campus loop in a pedestrian 52:57 for a 10:17 min/mile pace. Layered up for this one and left the ear buds at the casita. Mahalo.

December 7, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Campus Loop. Back in the game after a ten-day respite: ice and an upper respiratory infection combined to sideline me for a bit. Hit the trail in the pre-dawn hours. Cold (34 degrees Fahrenheit, 1 degree Celsius) and windless to start the day. Completed the 4.91 miles in 50:22 for a pedestrian 10:16 min/mile pace. Spartacus Redux Mix on the box. Felt good to be back at it. Tuesday to the gym; a six-miler planned for Wednesday. Mahalo.

November 26, 2015

Early AM campus loop. Thanksgiving Day and deserted streets. Misty Mountain Hop. Cool temps (50 degrees Fahrenheit, 10 Celsius) with a slight Southern breeze and a constant, relentless drizzle. Finished the 6.42 miles in 1:03:33 for a 9:54 min/mile average pace. Slow and Low that is the tempo. Spartacus Redux Mix on the box, like disco lemonade. Substantial winter storm is quickly approaching and could place Saturday's long-run in jeopardy. Mahalo.

November 24, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Campus Loop. Awoke to perfect Autumn conditions: cool and windy with temps in the low-40s (42 degrees Fahrenheit, 6 Celsius) with a 12 mph (19 kmh) South wind. Shorts, long-sleeves, gloves and a beanie for attire. Started relatively slow and finished strong enough to get a sub-10 minute per mile pace. Finished the 5.01 mile campus loop in 49:39 for a pedestrian 9:54 min/mile pace. Spartacus Redux Mix on the box. Winter storms on the horizon for later in the week. Cold rain, sleet and winter mix all possible. Mahalo.

November 21, 2015

Game Day. Long Run. Did not get a Dawn Patrol in this morning. Headed out on the frozen trail well after the sunlight hit the olive oil in a futile attempt to let it warm up a bit. Temp (40 degrees Fahrenheit, 6 Celsius) was bearable, but the 25 mph North wind (40 kph) made it seem a lot colder. Layered up like a fiend and headed South via the Boyd Portal to the Municipal Works Complex. Turned North and endured five-miles of the aforementioned Arctic wind hitting me in the face for 50 minutes. Weaved back through Campus Corner environs to the shack. Overall, it was pretty much a textbook long run: slow and low with no desire to break any land speed records. Completed the 10.02 mile extended loop in 1:44:43 for a sub-sonic 10:27 min/mile average pace. Spartacus Redux Mix on the box. 90s Alt classics receiving heavy rotation. Sunday to recuperate. Monday it begins again. Mahalo.

November 17, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Tuesday Morning Love Dance. Campus Loop. In the rain. Took this past weekend off due to early AM soccer for the boy both Saturday and Sunday. No excuses mind you, simply Modern Life at its finest. Hit the trail this morning and was promptly met by a steady stream of drizzle and marine layer fog in the lowlands. Managed to get a drenched 5.02 miles in the book in 50:20 for a sub-sonic 10:02 min/mile pace. Run Keeper reminded me that this was my 254th fastest five-mile run to date. Proud. No worries though. Another six planned for Thursday and an extended ten-miles for Saturday: the last home game of the season with TCU coming to town. Cold temps coming to town, as well: tomorrow's run will be a manageable 38 degrees, while early morning temps for Saturday's run are expected to be in the low 20s. Bring the noise. Mahalo.

November 12, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Campus Loop. Cold start to the day. 39 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius) with a slight North breeze. This was the first morning in the 30s since last Winter. Bowel-related issues (BRIs) began around mile two and plagued this author for 30 minutes. So uncomfortable and disheartening. So difficult to concentrate under such brutal, barbaric conditions. Anyway, to make matters worse I was short-changed by the GPS today, as my go-to five-miler was somehow reduced to 4.88 miles by the unseen powers-that-be. Finished in 48:54 for a slowish 10:02 min/mile average pace. Mahalo.

Novemeber 10, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Campus loop. Cool temps (50 degrees Fahrenheit, 10 degrees Celsius) with a slight Southern breeze. Layered to the hilt with the requisite long-sleeves, shorts, gloves and beanie. Campus loop, maintenance run. 5.02 miles in 50:29 for a super-slow 10:04 min/mile pace. Double digits on the pace is rarely a positive thing. Sans music. Sluggish from start to finish. Helsinki-style. Mahalo.

November 7, 2015

Saturday Long Run. Game Day. Hit the pavement about the same time the sunlight hit the olive oil. Cool temps: loaded up with long-sleeves, shorts, gloves and a beanie. 42 degrees Fahrenheit (6 degrees Celsius) with a slight breeze. Extended South to the Municipal Water Works and then back North up the Legacy Trail. Looped around through Campus Corner to the shack. Slow and Low tempo with the Spartacus Redux Mix in full-effect on the box. Shuffled, for shits and giggles. I was giddy with fear and petulance. Finished the 10:03 mile campus loop in 1:45:30 for a sub-sonic 10:31 min/mile pace. Finished the week with 23 miles and change. Solid. Mahalo.

November 3, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Campus Loop. Awoke to temps in the mid-50s (53 degrees Fahrenheit, 12 degrees Celsius) with a brisk wind out of the South. After a week in the mid-40s, it actually felt warm out on the trail this morning. Out the door and headed East for a reversed loop: South to Highway 9 and West to the South Greek and Elm. Finished the 5.59 mile maintenance run in an underwhelming 55:08 for a 9:51 min/mile pace. Mahalo.

November 1, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Extended Campus Loop. A fairly rare Sunday morning run in the books to kick off November. It's tough to call eight-miles a "long-run," so I'll go with an extended maintenance run. Nice and chilly this morning: temps in the mid-40s (43 degrees Fahrenheit, 6 degrees Celsius) with negligible winds. Hit the Boyd Street Portal and headed South past the Highway 9 boundary, looped back North and finished up weaving through the campus environs. Completed the 8.03 miles in 1:25:11 for a 10:36 min/mile pace. 90s Grunge on the box. A solid, cool, Autumn run. 17 and change for the week. Planning on 5-5-5-10 for this week. Mahalo.

October 29, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Abridged Campus Loop. Awoke to a cool 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celsius) and a light North breeze. Long-sleeves, shorts, cap and gloves for this one. Once the wind starts cutting me in half I'll transition to tights, but we're not there yet. Completed the 4.47 mile campus loop in 44:08 for a 9:52 min/mile pace. Another low-key maintenance run without issue. Saturday morning's ten-miles looms. Mahalo.

October 27, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Campus Loop. Back on the trail after taking a couple of days off. Temp (50 degrees Fahrenheit, 10 Celsius) was perfect--even broke out the skull cap and gloves for shits and giggles, even if it was a bit premature. Super stoked for the arrival of true Autumn running weather. Headed through campus and to parts South before tacking back North through familiar environs. Per custom, the first mile was right at the ten-minute pace, while I finished in the mid-nines. Completed the 5.19 mile campus loop in 49:46 for a sub-sonic 9:36 min/mile pace. Planning on another 21 miles for this week. Mahalo.

October 24, 2015

Out the door in the pre-sunrise hour. Campus Loop. Game Day. Long Run. Extended the go-to maintenance route to the North and South for the required ten-miles. Entered through the Boyd Street portal and headed South to the Municipal Wastelands. From there, continued North to Robinson and then returned to the shack via Campus Corner and the unparalleled game day prep. Temp was 58 degrees Fahrenheit (14 degrees Celsius) with a slight North breeze. Finished the 10.01 mile campus loop in 1:43:28 for a 10:20 min/mile pace. Not my fasted work, but I'll take it. Spartacus Redux Mix on the box. Finished the week with 21.43 miles. Mahalo.

October 22, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Campus Loop. Out the door in the pre-dawn hours: temp was a comfortable 64 degrees Fahrenheit (18 Celsius) with a slight Southern breeze. Lovely running weather. Reversed the loop for a change of pace, heading East out of the gate instead of South. Solid effort after starting in the ten-minute per mile range and then settling into a nice groove. Completed the 5.74 mile loop in 55:35 for a 9:41min/mile average pace, which was my "fastest" five miles in five weeks (September 15, 2015). A day off prior to a planned ten-miles on Saturday, Game Day. Mahalo.

October 20, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Campus Loop. Bagged a planned ten-miler on Saturday due to a bit of extensor tendonitis in the right foot. Not a huge deal, just an occupational bi-product of months of consistent, successful running and a steady increase in miles. Back on the trail for yet another week of the grind. Headed out to a wonderful Autumn morning with temps in the high 50s (58 degrees Fahrenheit, 14 degrees Celsius) with a slight Southern breeze. Started strong and finished with a nice groove (cadence?). Completed the standard, no frills, go-to 5.68 mile campus loop in 55:14 for a 9:44 min/mile pace. No issues with the right foot. Planning on 20+ miles for the week, including an extended Game Day run on Saturday. Mahalo.

October 15, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Autumn on the brink: 61 degrees at the start (16 degrees Celsius) under absolutely still skies. Another basic Campus Loop in the books. Weather pattern may change in the next 24-hours, bringing much cooler temps for next week's runs. Completed the 5.02 miles in 48:50 for a 9:44 min/mile average pace. Per custom, started slowly and then found a mid-9 minute mile pace. It was my 175th fastest 4-6 miler, according to Runkeeper. Proud. Will drink too much Jameson this evening and rest Friday. Somewhere between eight and ten for the weekend run. Mahalo.

October 13, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Back on the trail after a forced five-day respite. Took some time off to rest and recuperate after a nice stretch of running with little or no issues. I get neurotic and force myself to take time off when things are going well. Felt great to get back out; left the shack before dawn with an absolutely perfect climate for running: 51 degrees Fahrenheit, or almost 11 degrees Celsius, and no wind with which to deal. Cool and calm. A beautiful Autumn morning. Finished the go-to 5.01 mile campus loop in 49:28 for a 9:53 min/mile average pace. Started slow and finished strong. 6-8 to finish out the week, with a couple of days at the gym for fun. Mahalo.

October 8, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Cool and comfortable with temps in the mid-50s (13 Celsius) and a slight Southern breeze. Bowel-Related Issues (BRIs) forced an unscheduled pit stop along the way; luckily facilities were located and utilized prior to an accidental discharge. Mother of Jesus. Imagine the primal, unrelenting and uncompromising urge to defecate in the next two minutes. Now imagine you are three miles into your six-mile route and the closest bathroom is three minutes away and you have to run there. It is the textbook definition of abject fear and loathing. Makes a brother want to run with a paper towel tucked into his shorts. For shits and giggles and emergency stops. Completed the 5.01 campus loop in 49:46 for a lamentable 9:56 min/mile pace. Off Friday to prepare for Saturday's planned ten-mile long run. Mahalo.

October 6, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Another week commences after a two-day respite following Saturday's long run. Campus Loop. Worked the super-bright neon green shorts that may never be worn again, as there is no back pocket for the personal tracking device; I had to break out the inconvenient blood pressure cuff apparatus, which, due to my particular neurosis, really bothers me. Edited the Runkeeper tally of this morning's run, as it spotted me a generous 6:48 minute first mile. There's not an animal on the planet that could chase me into a sub-seven minute mile at this stage of the game. Anyhow, finished the go-to 5.23 mile campus loop in 53:02 for a slowish 10:08 min/mile average pace. Super cool conditions this morning: 52 degrees Fahrenheit (11 Celsius) with a negligible breeze. Solid effort. Planning 5-6-10 for the week with a couple of gym days for shits and giggles. Mahalo.

October 3, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Game Day. Sushi-fueled Long Run. A lot of moving parts. Temps a cool and crisp and windless 48 degrees Fahrenheit (9 degrees Celsius) at the start. Extended the campus loop to the South and the Highway 9 boundary. Headed North to Robinson St. and then West to the Westheimer Airport perimeter. Turned South and meandered to the Boyd Street portal. Felt so good that I extended my planned ten-miler by a mile and change. Solid run: slow and low for a nice tempo, excellent weather and no physical or mental issues with which to contend. Completed the 11.37 miles in 1:56:07 for a 10:13 min/mile pace. Finished the week with 22 miles and change, which continues to trend upward poco a poco. Mahalo.

October 1, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Temps (59 Fahrenheit) felt like Autumn. Humidity was 100%, but the 10 mph wind out of the North made it negligible. Probably broke out the long-sleeves a bit early in the scheme of things, but it felt like the thing to do. Completed the 5.14 mile campus loop in 50:54 for an underwhelming 9:54 min/mile average pace. Finished September with 70 miles, which was a couple of runs short of my baseline (80 miles). Another 10 miler on Saturday looms; back and bi tomorrow. Mahalo. 

September 29, 2015

Dawn Patrol. An absolutely beautiful morning with that unmistakeable early Autumn coolness in the air. Temp was a pleasant 64 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius) with 85% relative humidity. Started slow and stiff but managed to finish the 5.79 mile campus loop with a sub-10 min/mile pace. We're close to breaking out the long-sleeves, which is always nice. Completed the aforementioned 5.79 mile campus loop in 56:19 for a sub-sonic 9:44 min/mile pace. Another solid maintenance run. Weights tomorrow. Good times. Mahalo.

September 26, 2015

Early Saturday Long Run. Out the door at daybreak: temp was a manageable 61 degrees Fahrenheit (16 Celsius) with 100% humidity. Completed the 10.03 mile extended campus loop in 1:44:49 for a 10:27 min/mile average pace. Started strong and finished relatively depleted. "Could have been the Willie Nelson, could have been the wine." Finished the week with 21.55 miles on three runs. Also completed two quality workouts at the gym. Two days off for rest. A solid week of exercise. Will break 20 again next week. Downtime planned for Sunday. Mahalo.

September 24, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Completed the 5.71 mile campus loop in a pedestrian 56:08 for a 9:50 min/mile average pace. Awoke to a manageable 73 degrees Fahrenheit (23 Celsius) with a relative humidity of 60%. Autumn remains firmly out of reach at this early stage. Holding out for cold fronts and cool, crisp air; long-sleeves and gloves. Had a solid Chest-Tri workout on Wednesday. Feeling it today. Will get into double-digits with Saturday's long run. Thinking Ten would be nice. Mahalo.

September 22, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Hit the road to deceivingly warm and humid conditions. The thermometer read 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) and the humidity was a balmy 90%. It felt warmer as the run progressed. Water stop at Reeves was a lifesaver. Finished the 5.81 mile campus loop in an underwhelming 57:48 for an average pace of 9:57 min/mile. Entered through the Boyd Street Portal and headed South to the Rugby Fields. Very standard, uneventful, beginning-of-the-week maintenance run. Mahalo.

September 19, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Game Day #2. Hit the road after solid rains throughout the witching hours. Cool temps (63 degrees Fahrenheit, 17 Celsius) and a nice North breeze. Post-thunderstorm bliss. Extended the route South to the gravel and North via Legacy Trail. Finished the 8.69 mile campus loop in 1:25:21 for a 9:49 min/mile pace. The junkies, pre-emptive tailgaters and early-birds were out in full-force, as kickoff was at 1100 am. The truly dedicated are sucking down Bud Lights and Malboro Reds at dawn. Spartacus Redux Mix on the box. Generation X Grunge-Masters. Solid. Finished the week with 19.78 miles and three runs + 2 gym visits, Chest and Tri and Back and Bi. It was a good week. Mahalo.

September 17, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Out the door before the sunlight hit the olive oil. Another go-to maintenance run: uneventful and predictable. Boyd Street Portal to the South, returning up Jenkins. Completed the 5.26 mile campus loop in 52.26 for a blistering 9.58 min/mile  pace. Conditions were hot and humid. Water stop at Reeves Park was necessary. Flirting with a Mon-Wed-Thurs-Sat running schedule. Tuesday and Friday at the gimnasio. Developing. Mahalo.

September 15, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Back in the game after taking yesterday off due to lightening and torrential rainfall. The weekend was lost to drunkenness and debauchery, which is always interesting, even at this advanced stage of the game. I digress. Hit the road this morning and was greeted by a cool 64 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius) and a nice Southern breeze. Autumn looms. Finished the 5.83 mile campus loop in a mere 55:35 for a 9:32 min/mile pace. H20 stop at Reeves really helped out. It was, compared to my recent runs, a blistering pace! To the gym tomorrow for a chest and tricep workout; had two solid workouts last week. Thursday and Saturday runs to keep me honest. Mahalo.

September 9, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Misty Mountain Hop. 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 Celsius) with a cool breeze, 100% humidity and a light mist. Beautiful conditions for a seemingly effortless five-mile campus loop. Bowel-Related Issues (BRIs) caused an unplanned pit stop at Reeves Park around mile three. The citizens of Norman should be commended for their tax dollars being spent on such world class facilities. Finished the mist-shrouded campus loop (5.01 miles) in 49:03 for an average pace of 9:47 average pace. Chest and Tri workout on Tuesday. Mahalo.

September 7, 2015

Sunlit Campus Loop. Out the door to hot and humid conditions: 73 degrees Fahrenheit (23 Celsius) and 90% humidity. The Song Remains the Same. Completed the 5.02 miles in 50:38 for a slowish 10:06 min/mile average pace. Returned to the Boyd Portal route. Temperature change, albeit a slight one, on the horizon for later this week. Autumn looms. Mahalo.

September 5, 2015

Out the door as the sunlight hit the olive oil. Hot (73 degrees Fahrenheit, 23 Celsius) with 90% humidity. First Game Day run of 2015. Campus was alive and kicking. Entered through the Boyd Street Portal, South to the Highway 9 boundary, back up Jenkins to the skateboard park, and then returned to the shack via Andrews Park. It was extremely warm and humid: H2O stops at Reeves and Andrews Parks were vital. Started sub-10 and then settled into a slower groove. Finished the 7.24 mile campus loop in 1:13:44 for a 10:11 min/mile pace. Spartacus Redux Mix on the box. 19.28 miles for the week. Mahalo.

September 2, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Inaugural run for the month. Out the door to a cool 70 degrees (21 degrees Celsius) and 85% humidity. Entered campus through the Elm portal and finished on the East side for what I like to refer to as "reversing the route." Will spend the next few months in this mode. Completed the 6.02 mile campus loop in 58:58 for a 9:48 min/mile pace. Sore left calf pain after Monday's run dissipated and was not a factor this AM. To the gym on Thursday. Mahalo.

August 31, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Finished the month of August with a 6.02 mile run around the campus. Temp was 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) with a relative humidity of 83%. Left calf cramp around mile three made things interesting. I stopped and stretched the damn thing out, but it remained sore throughout the day. Completed the campus loop in 59:35 for a sub-sonic 9:54 min/mile pace. Mahalo.

August 28, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Out the door to 73 degrees Fahrenheit (23 degrees Celsius) and a relative humidity of 75%. Completed the 6.45 mile campus loop in a sub-sonic 1:05:31 for a 10:09 min/mile pace. 18.94 miles for the week. A mile and change shorter than my planned 20 miles. No issues to convey. Will now resort to running every other day with a weekend run, as my legs and disposition are good to go. Planning on 6-6-6-6 for the week. Two gyms visits for Shits and Giggles. Mahalo.

August 26, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Humidity ruled the day. Think "Sweet Dick Willy" in his prime. Finished the 6.48 mile campus loop in 107:34 for an average pace of 10:26 min/mile. "Slow and low" does not come close. Felt slow and sluggish from the onset. Water stop at Reeves. Mahalo.

August 24, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Super nice weather this morning (63 degrees Fahrenheit, 17 degrees Celsius with 65% humidity) to begin another week of roadwork. Finished the 6.01 mile campus loop in 1:00:11 for a 10:01 min/mile average pace. No complaints: started strong and slowed late, per recent custom. Spartacus Redux Mix on the box; working my way through 90s alternative gems at this point. Mahalo.

August 22, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Saturday morning bliss. Temps in the manageable low-70s (73 degrees Fahrenheit, 23 degrees Celsius) with 100% humidity. Imagine running in a sauna. Started relatively strong for the first four miles: sub-ten minute miles and feeling good.  Hit the proverbial wall around mile five. Finished depleted and lackadaisical. Headed out from the Eastern approach, South to the Highway 9 boundary and then returned home through the South Greek. I'm definitely getting stronger, the last mile notwithstanding. Completed the 6.14 mile campus loop in a sub-sonic 1:02:02 for a 10:06 min/mile pace. Spartacus Redux on the box. Finished the week with 17.56 miles. Will definitely break 20 next week. Mahalo.

August 20, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Wednesday morning was a wash: thunderstorms, lightening and waves of torrential downpours, fear and the occasional loathing. Had to postpone the mid-week run until Thursday. Out the door to Autumn-like temps: 53 degrees Fahrenheit (12 degrees Celsius) and a cool North wind. Finished the 5.67 mile campus loop in an underwhelming 56:13 for a 9:55 min/mile pace. Legs are still a bit stiff and unresponsive. Slow and Low that is the tempo. Mahalo.

August 17, 2015

Dawwn Patrol. Out the door at 530 am with temps a bearable 78 degrees Fahrenheit (26 degrees Celsius) and a relative humidity of 80%. It was a slow, sluggish and muggy Monday morning run. Completed the 5.75 mile campus loop in 58:37 for a 10:11 min/mile pace. Inaugurated the newest incarnation of the NB 1260 series, the 1260 V5's. Spartacus Redux Mix on the box, with Blink 182 receiving prominent placement. Last week I limited myself to 2 runs (11 miles). Will incease this week's mileage to 15 miles in an effort to slowly ramp-up to the 20-25+ miles a week that looms. Mahalo.

August 13, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Awoke to a comfortably cool 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 Celsius) and 85% humidity. A nice north breeze for the return leg of the run. Another slow and methodical run on the way to getting my running legs back after a one-month respite. Completed the 5.62 mile campus loop in 57:35 for a 10:15 min/mile average pace. Sore legs lingering from Tuesday's run. Shoes are officially shot: new shoes ordered and on the way. Mahalo.

August 11, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Back in the proverbial game after almost an entire month of sitting on the sidelines: traversing Honduras, eating plato tipico like a fiend and hitting the booze like it was my damn job. I feel like a bloated toad. I'm ten pounds heavier than when I left mid-July. This is nothing new. I spend the majority of the month of July in the tropics for sanity reasons and inevitably gain a few pounds in the process. I did, however, get a grand total of three treadmill runs in the book while in Tegucigalpa, and then abruptly lost interest. Back in the Land of Silicone and Smart Bombs, I hit the road this morning to begin yet again. Awoke to the hot and humid reality of Oklahoma in August. Completed the 5.20 mile campus loop in a leisurely 54:39 for a sub-sonic 10:31 min/mile pace. If history serves as a reliable guide (and for those of you scoring at home, it usually does) it will take a month for this gringo to get his legs back. Mahalo.

July 11, 2015

In the Evening. Hot and humid remains the storyline in these parts. 79 degrees Fahrenheit (26 Celsius) with the relative humidity at 75% made for another muggy evening run. Started and finished right at the 10:00 min/mile pace and had no problem keeping the tempo slow and low. Completed the 6.22 campus loop in 1:01:52 for a 9:57 min/mile pace. Shoes are shot: 374 miles on 57 runs (61 hours and 46 minutes) with maybe a couple of additional runs left before they transition to walk-around status. 17 miles and change for the week. Mahalo. 

July 8, 2015

In the Evening. Another brutally humid pm run. The temp, however, was a manageable 72 degrees Fahrenheit, or 22 degrees Celsius with a relative humidity of 95%. Returned to the classic Eastern Approach route for a change of pace. Skirting the Eastern boundary of the campus to its Southern reaches and a return on the Western boundary, through the South Greek and campus environs. Beautiful, calm, minimal traffic and various running surfaces with which to contend. Completed the 6.03 miles in 59:57 for a 9:56 min/mile average pace. First sub-10 minute per mile pace since June 18th. Solid finish. Mahalo.

July 6, 2015

In the Evening. Back on the trail as the sun set for another hot and humid run. 81 degrees Fahrenheit (27 Celsius) coupled with an obscene relative humidy made it uncomfortable from about mile two onward. The pace was slow and deliberate from the onset. Completed the 5.39 mile campus loop in 56:32 for a 10:29 min/mile pace. 260th fastest 4-6 mile workout, according to Runkeeper. Regardless of the slow pace, it was a solid run. And a slow, sluggish run is better than no run any day of the week! Mahalo. 

July 1, 2015

In the Evening. Another hot (81 degrees Fahrenheit, 27 Celsius) and humid (80%) post-sunset run. This evening's 5.39 miles was particularly slow and sluggish. Finished the campus loop in an underwhelming 56:05 for a 10:24 min/mile pace. Runkeeper stats informing me that it's my 257th fastest 4-6 mile run! (Exclamation point is theirs!) June's numbers were below average, both in terms of runs and miles. Fiinished the month with nine runs and 55.1 miles. Did take a week off to rest a lingering shin issue, so it does make sense. Mahalo. 

June 29, 2015

In the Evening. Sore right shin issue after last Tuesday's run prompted me to take a week off to recuperate. Felt good to get back out on the trail after a brief respite. Headed out with 75 degree temps (24 Celsius) and 100% humidity. The rain started around mile three. Started at the Boyd Street portal, South to the Highway 9 boundary, East to Jenkins, North to Andrews Park and then back to the shack. Finished the 7.26 mile campus loop in 1:14:04 for a 10:12 average min/mile pace. Spartacus Redux Mix on the box. Good times out there. Mahalo. 

June 23, 2015

In the Evening. Channeling my inner masochist with the temperature a warm 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29 Celsius) and a relative humidity of 80%. Sweated through the 6.42 mile campus loop in an underwhelming 1:05:51 for a 10:15 min/mile average pace. Mirrored the June 20, 2015 route and then added a bit on the end. Times were almost identical, pace-wise. I have zero complaints as I sit at the kitchen table enjoying a cold Asahi. Mahalo. 

June 20, 2015

Another evening run. Different conditions for an early-morning runner: 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 Celsius) with a steamy 90% humidity. Headed out through the Boyd Street portal to the Highway 9 boundary and then cut over to Jenkins and up the East side of the campus. Per recent custom, I started relatively strong (9:15 pace) and began a slow descent around the third mile. Water stop at Reeves Park was a life saver. Finished the 6.12 miles in a sub-sonic 1:02:40 for a 10:14 min/mile pace. Three runs and 18 miles for the week. Will get a ten-mile long run this week. Mahalo.

June 18, 2015

A rare evening run. Awoke to torrential rainfall, so I postponed my planned six miles to this evening. Definitely a different buzz changing up the routine. Even pulled out the earbuds and played the go-to Spartacus Re-Mix just like the old days. 73 degrees Fahrenheit (23 Celsius) with 90% humidity to make things interesting. Completed the 6.02 mile campus loop in 58:36 for a 9:44 min/mile pace. A long run this weekend looms. Good times. Mahalo. 

June 15, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Back on the trail after a weekend of travel left me run-less. Temp was a manageable 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 Celsius) with 100% humidity and no breeze. Started relatively strong and ended up finishing depleted. The descent began around mile three. Finished the 6.03 mile go-to campus loop in 59:42 for a slowish 9:54 min/mile pace. Mahalo.

June 10, 2015

Early Morning. Out the door a bit later than usual. 70 degrees (21 Celsius), 85% humidity and a negligible breeze from the South. The mid-run H2O stop probably saved me from having a nervous breakdown. Continued the trend of slow and methodical runs. Changed the route a bit: entered through the Boyd Street Portal, headed South to the Highway 9 perimeter, took the gravel East to Jenkins and then returned home through the campus. A nice change of scenery and routine. Finished the 5.60 mile campus loop in 55:41 for a super-slow 9:56 minute/mile average pace. Aloha.

June 8, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Out the door at daybreak after a weekend of downtime. Was a bit slow this morning; in fact, the Runkeeper folks let me know it was my 258th fastest 5-miler! Proud. Finished the 5.61 mile campus loop in a super-slow 55:57 for a 9:58 min/mile pace. Temps in the low-70s and 85% humidity, which I definitely felt. Mahalo.

June 4, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Out the door to 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 Celsius), 95% humidity and a solid breeze from the South. Completed the 6.03 mile go-to campus loop in a pedestrian 57:52 for a 9:36 average pace, which, according to the fine folks at Runkeeper, was my 168th fastest six-miles to date. Blame it on the Redbreast. Slow and low that it is the tempo, comes to mind. A planned 10-miler for Saturday. Mahalo.

June 2, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Back to familiar environs. Inaugurated June's running calender with a humid 6.04 mile campus loop. Temps were a relatively cool 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 Celsius) with absolutely no breeze.  Back to sleeveless tops and shorts. Finished the loop in 57:37 for a 9:33 min/mile average pace. Felt decent from start to finish. Ended up with 65 miles on 10 runs for the month of May. Should have between 80 and 100 in June. Mahalo.

May 29, 2015

San Juan, Puerto Rico. Hot and humid. Almost killed me. No water on the route and that, ultimately, was my downfall. Out the door at the crack of nine to temps in the mid-80's (84 Fahrenheit, 29 Celsius) with 95% humidity. The tropical heat and humidity were over the top for this pre-dawn runner. Did not have the foresight to run with a bottle of water and there were absolutely zero water fountains along the trail. Finished the 4.25 mile route in a desperate 44:22 for a sub-sonic 10:26 min/mile pace. Regardless, it still beat the hell out of running on the hotel treadmill. A couple of days off after a four-day spate of travel, excess and debauchery. Back on the road mañana to begin June's runs. After a month of travel, waves of storms and torrential rain, I still managed ten runs in the month of May. Mahalo.

May 26, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Back out on the trail after a planned four-day break. Heavy rains and flooding in this area has been off the proverbial chart. Awoke today to Marine Layer Fog and cool temps (55 degrees Fahrenheit, 13 Celsius). Super nice running conditions. Completed the go-to 6.03 mile campus loop in 57:45 for a 9:35 min/mile pace. Mahalo.

May 21, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Awoke to cool and windy conditions: temp was 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 Celsius) with a nice North wind. Pulled the long-sleeves out of temporary storage yet again. Pace was consistent from start to finish. Completed the 6.03 mile campus loop in 57:45 for a windblown 9:35 min/mile average pace. Mahalo.

May 19, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Out the door to cool and windy conditions. Temps in the low-60s (61 F, 16 C) with a decent North wind. Thunderstorms were in the forecast; however, graciously held off until later in the day. Humidity was also pretty high (90%), which, coupled with the bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon that I consumed last evening, made for a sluggish finish to things. I call it wine-soaked bliss. Felt a bit parched afterwards. Anyhow, completed the 6.02 mile campus loop in 58:22 for a 9:41 min/mile pace. No complaints. Shoes have 275 miles on them after 40 runs, so they are rapidly approaching their retirement. Mahalo.

May 16, 2015

Early Saturday Morning Long Run. Temps were a manageable 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 Celsius) with a slight South breeze. The sun came out around mile five, which, coupled with the humidity, made things interesting. Luckily, the sushi and Asahi from last night provided the requisite carbs to get me home. Bowel-Related Issues (BRIs) lurked and could have potentially derailed the good vibes, but, thankfully, they did not. Pace was slow and low, per Hal Higdon's long-run philosophy. Headed North to Robinson, over to the Legacy Trail, South past Highway 9, then looped back to the campus and the shack. A solid 10.05 miles completed in 1:45:11 for a sub-sonic 10:28 min/mile average pace. Good times. 22 miles for the week. Mahalo.

May 13, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Another beautiful morning for running. Cool (50 degrees Fahrenheit, 10 Celsius) with a slight North breeze. Long-sleeves and shorts once again. The first three miles were slow and methodical, while the second three miles saw an increase in speed (relatively speaking, of course) and focus. Completed the standard 6.00 mile campus loop in 56:34 for 9:25 min/mile pace. More people getting out on the trail with the weather turning. It's all shits and giggles until it's 88 degrees with 100% humidity at 500 am. I'm enjoying the weather until then. Mahalo.

May 11, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Awoke to temps in the 40s, so I broke out the gloves and long-sleeves for this one. Most definitely overkill, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Cool with a slight North breeze the entire run. I was, however, slow and sluggish from start to finish; never quite found a solid groove. These things happen. Finished the 6.01 campus loop in a slow 59:17 for a 9:52 min/mile pace. More precipitation looms for the remainder of the week. Mahalo.

May 9, 2015

Early Morning Saturday Run. The combination of Bushmills and West Coast NBA Playoff games is not conducive to quality, early morning long-runs. Unless, of course, you are a masochist. Out the door about an hour later than planned this morning. Another soaked, post-thunderstorm run after yesterday's round of storms. Temps in the mid-60s (63 F, 17C) with a slight South breeze. Headed South past the Highway 9 boundary and then back North through campus, around Andrews Park and back to the shack. A slow, sluggish run. Water stops at Reeves and the Skate Park probably kept me alive. Completed the 9.01 loop in a sub-sonic 1:33:04 for a 10:20 min/mile pace. Finished the week with 20.3 miles. Mahalo.

May 7, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Post-Thunderstorm Bliss. Out the door an hour or so after massive thunderstorms moved through the area. It was a cool and breezy 61 degrees Fahrenheit (16 Celsius). Long-sleeves and shorts. Water everywhere, so I kept to the streets and sidewalks. Finished the go-to 6.02 mile campus loop in 57:23 for a 9:32 min/mile average pace. Solid. Mahalo.

May 4, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Back on the street after a week of planned down time. Temps in the low-60s, a slight breeze from the South and humidity in the 90% range. Short sleeves and shorts to initiate the first run of May. Completed the 5.28 mile campus loop in 51:57 for a slowish 9:50 min/mile pace. Started slow and never sped up. Solid effort in spite of the sluggishness. Hitting the gym tomorrow for S and G's. Mahalo.

April 26, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Took a couple of days off this week to rest in preparation for The OKC Memorial Marathon. A beautiful cool and overcast day to get a 13.1 mile run in the books. As opposed to the previous three years, the weather cooperated and was absolutely perfect. Temps in the mid-50s and a nice breeze throughout the race. Great turnout, as usual. I actually ran a bit faster than last year's effort. Finished the weaving, rambling 13.50 miles in 2:06:56 for a 9:24 min/mile pace. (Actual race distance of 13.1 was completed in 2:04.10 for a 9:29 min/mile pace.) I was pleased with my results: I felt good from the onset; maintained a solid, steady pace; and finished strong. What else is there? Good times running solo in the midst of 15,000 other runners. Mahalo.

April 22, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Out the door in the pre-dawn hour to a cool 51 degrees (11 Celsius) and the threat of rain on the horizon. It was a cool, breezy morning. Started things off at the Boyd Street portal for a change of pace. Headed South and returned on the Eastern edge of campus. Had a Bowel-Related Issue (BRI) during the last quarter of the run and was forced to poach a bathroom at Kaufman Hall. Luckily, most campus buildings are open at 600 am and can save a brother when necessary. I loathe to contemplate the outcome had the building been closed. Finished the 5.29 miles in 51:33 for a slow 9:45 min/mile pace. Not bad for never feeling the "groove" this morning. Rain started to fall as I walked in the front door post-run. Mahalo.

April 19, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Sunday Long Run. Hit the trail later than usual so I could sleep in a bit. Out the door with the sun. Cool temps (51 F, 11 C) with 100% humidity. No rain this morning after an eventful late afternoon and early evening yesterday. A slow, solid 10.07 mile campus loop. Headed North to Robinson and the Legacy Trail, South past Highway 9 and then hooked up with Chautauqua and the South Greek to the house. A very mellow running environment. Finished in 1:42:23 for a 10:10 min/mile pace. Started faster and gradually slowed down as the miles added up. Ran with my go-to Espanish Mix, which prominently features Calle 13, Jarabe de Palo, Julietta Benegas, Manu Chao and others. A very eclectic mix of good tunes. It's been a while since I've run with earbuds, but I thought today it would be a good change of pace. 13-miler next Sunday looms. Mahalo.

April 17, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Awoke to temps in the low 60s (63 F, 17 C) with the humidity in the mid-90% range. A cool front came in from the North around mile three and definitely made things more enjoyable. Beat the rain by a couple of hours. A bottle of Merlot Thursday night made today's run a bit sluggish...and Thursday night more enjoyable. Finished the standard, go-to 6.02 mile maintenance run is a wine-soaked 59:03 for a 9:49 min/mile pace. Absolutely no complaints. Mahalo.

April 14, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Awoke to a beautiful, almost cold Spring morning. A light drizzle greeted me at the door and accompanied me throughout the run. Soft, passive rain. Hit the pavement to still, deserted streets. Broke out the winter gear for this one. Completed the 6.03 mile campus loop in a soggy 57:22 for a 9:31 min/mile pace. Felt good getting back out on the road after a day to recover from the heat and hills of the Redbud 10k run on Sunday. Would have loved to have run in these conditions instead of the heat and fear of last Sunday. Stoked for the impending half-marathon in a couple of weeks. Mahalo.

April 12, 2015

Redbud Classic 10K. 200 pm kickoff. Temps in the mid-70's, which, for someone who runs under cover of darkness in the pre-dawn hours, was like baking in an oven. Luckily, there was a nice breeze from time to time or I would have burned up like a meteorite on re-entry. Overall, the temps took it out of me; however, the doctor, a.k.a. Serpico, and I did manage to break the one-hour mark, albeit by a handful of seconds. Finished the 6.26 miles in 59:39 for a 9:32 min/mile pace. The course was, per custom, a bit crowded this afternoon. People were tapping out due to the heat, at times miles from the finish line. And that is never a good thing. Free beer at the finish line was a first, and should be mandatory for all runs. The amateurs at the OKC Memorial should take note, but they won't. A solid effort under different and difficult circumstances. Two weeks until the half at the OKC Memorial Marathon. Mahalo.

April 10, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Cold Front Blues Revisited. There was a 24 degrees drop between Tuesday's and Friday's runs. Hit the trail this AM with temps at 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5 Celsius) and no wind.  Cold front moved through on Thursday night and kept temps low through Friday morning. No big deal. Broke out the lightweight gloves and long-sleeves and the hit the road.  Finished the 6.01 mile campus loop in 56:52 for a 9:28 min/mile average pace. Solid run. Saturday off. The Redbud 10K on Sunday with the Doctor. Good times await. Mahalo.

April 7, 2015

Dawn Patrol. The temperature at 530 am was a perfect 64 degrees Fahrenheit (18 Celsius) with 100% humidity and a gentle wind out of the South. "Humidity" now replaces "wind chill" as the variable to watch in addition to the temperature. Finished the standard 6.01 mile campus loop in 57:37 for an uninspired 9:35 min/mile pace. Will get two more runs in before the Redbud Classic 10K this Sunday. Mahalo.

April 5, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Overcast, periods of chilly rain and a somewhat uncomfortable South wind for this morning's campus loop. Awoke to temps in the mid-40s with a steady drizzle. Headed out to deserted streets and the prospect of a wet, cold Sunday morning run. Took the go-to route and extended it to the Highway 9 boundary. Completed the 6.39 mile campus loop in a wet 1:01:22 for a 9:36 min/mile pace. Managed 21 miles last week. Solid. Warmer weather on the radar. Mahalo.

April 2, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Temps in the low 60s to start the month of April. Given a super-generous spot of 6:05 minutes on the first mile due to an obvious GPS glitch. So instead of spending way too much time and effort trying to straighten it out on the the back end, I ditched the Runkeeper and used one of last week's times for today's loop. For the record, finished the 6.06 mile campus loop in 55:47 for a 9:12 min/mile pace. Sore right knee, although I'm almost sure I did not tweak it running and it does not seem to be a huge issue. Cold front on the way to lower temps substantially and bring 50 mph winds. Joy. Mahalo.

March 31, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Marine layer fog. Finished March with 12 runs and 80 miles on the road. Hit the trail this morning to heavy fog and temps hovering around 60 degrees. Not a trace of wind. Entered at the Boyd portal and headed South down the western boundary of campus, past the Lloyd Noble Center, over to Jenkins and back North to the shack. Finished the 5.25 mile campus loop in 50:01 for a 9:32 min/mile pace. Looking forward to April, as the RedBud 10K is scheduled for April 12th and the OKC Memorial Marathon will be on the 26th. (I will run the half-marathon.) Good times. Mahalo.

March 29, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Sunday Long Run. Hit the trail in the pre-dawn darkness for a ten-miler. The temperature was a cool 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 Celsius) with a moderate South wind. Absolutely perfect conditions. Headed North to the Robinson boundary, down the Legacy trail to Jenkins, onward past Highway 9 and then looped back North through the campus. Slow pace from start to finish, per Hal Higdon's training wisdom. Completed the 10.09 miles (16 kilometers) in 1:47:34 for a sub-sonic 10:40 min/mile pace. H2O stop at Reeves Park is open for business. Cadence, mechanics and system maintenance all received prominent placement. Cheers.

March 26, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Cold front arrived last night and brought strong North winds and a serious drop in temps. Awoke to a coolish 40-degrees Fahrenheit (4 Celsius) and a strong North wind that made it feel more like 34 degrees (1 Celsius). Broke out the heavier long-sleeves and gloves for this one. Such is the life of a runner during March and April in these parts. In three months I will be fantasizing about mornings like this one. Finished the 6.0 mile campus loop in 57:35 for a 9:35 min/mile pace. Absolutely no complaints. Mahalo.

March 24, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Temps in the mid-50s with a decent South wind. Long-sleeves and shorts, although I could have worn short-sleeves and been just fine. Another 6.06 mile campus loop finished in 55:46 for a 9:12 min/mile pace, which, according to Runkeeper is the 61st fastest time that I've run this route. The weather is absolutely phenomenal. Waiting for the heat and humidity to build. Mahalo.

March 21, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Awoke to a windless 48 degrees Fahrenheit (9 Celsius) and fog. Pushed my planned ten-miles to next weekend due to work commitments, but managed to get a short fun-run in for shits and giggles. Long-sleeves, shorts and gloves. Another great morning for running. Completed the 4.27 mile campus loop in 40:11 for a 9:25 min/mile pace. Finished strong. Mahalo.

March 19, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Marine Layer Fog and brief moments of drizzle to start the day. Out the door after two-days off. Torrential downpour kept me indoors yesterday. Shorts and long-sleeves for excellent running weather: 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 Celsius) and calm winds. Completed the 6.03 mile campus loop in 56:39 for a faster-than-usual 9:24 min/mile pace. Faster is obviously used in the relative sense. A day to recuperate prior to Saturday's planned ten-miler. Mahalo.

March 16, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Felt good to get out on the trail after a planned five-day respite. Finished last week with a Monday-Tuesday back-to-back for a total of eleven miles. Took the rest of the week off. The weather is definitely changing. Not ready to give up the long-sleeves just yet, but I left the gloves and soft cap at the shack. Temp was 55 degrees Fahrenheit (13 Celsius) with a slight breeze. Finished the uneventful 6.04 mile campus loop in 57:39. The average pace was 9:33; it was, according to Run Keeper, the 139th fastest time I have clocked for this route. Proud. Hitting the road without music has been a nice change of pace. Mahalo.

March 10, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Rare mid-week back-to-back. Awoke to cool temps (45 degrees Fahrenheit and 7 Celsius), marine layer fog and cold drizzle. A perfect morning for lacing up the New Balance kicks and hitting the trail. The Runkeeper app clocked my first mile at 7:20, which is not in the realm of possibilities, and the second mile a bit slower. Obviously having serious synch issues, I blew off the auto-tracking and went on about my business. I ran the same route as yesterday and simply used that data for this morning's run. It should not too far off. Completed the 5.47 mile campus loop in 54:07 for a 9:54 min/mile pace. Mahalo.

March 9, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Awoke to 44 degrees Fahrenheit (7 Celsius) and a negligible breeze from the West. The drizzle and fog from start to finish in no way diminished the joy felt running in these relatively "balmy" conditions. The tail end of Winter feels good. Spring looms, although there will inevitably be set-backs, false starts and dashed hopes. And rain. A lot of rain. Started at the Boyd Street portal for a change of pace. Finished the campus loop with a fly-by of the SAE house and the media circus. Completed the 5.47 mile run (9k) in 54:07 for a 9:54 min/mile average pace. Mahalo.

March 7, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Saturday Long Run. With temps right at freezing (32 F, 0 C) and no wind, it felt like a Spring day out on the trail. Layered up and waited until the sunlight hit the olive oil before heading out. Extended the loop North to Robinson and the Legacy trail and then pushed the Southern boundary past Highway 9 and the Oliver Stone Wildlife Preserve. Completed the 9.40 mile loop (15.12 km) in 1:32:08 for a 9:48 min/mile pace. Ditched the ear buds yet again and will continue to run sans music for a bit. It's a nice change and lets me focus on breathing, cadence and mechanics. Day Light Savings time arrives tomorrow, which will give me a good excuse to tweak the routes for shits and giggles. Finished the week with 21.61 miles.

March 4, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Awoke to freezing temps (27 degrees Fahrenheit or -3 degrees Celsius) and a brutal 20 mph wind out of the north. Started cold, but it was definitely manageable. The discomfort level increased exponentially when I hit the 1.5 mile mark and the sleet started. Finished the last three miles fighting the sleet and wind hitting me in the face. Relentlessly. Ended the run soaked to the bone and super cold. Completed the 6.16 mile campus loop in a frigid 1:00:56 for a 9:54 min/mile pace. I'm ready for Spring and a change of weather patterns. Ditched the earbuds and focused on cadence, mechanics and the wind-driven sleet. Mahalo.

March 2, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Saturday and Sunday were a wash: the snow and ice were too much. Three days of downtime ensued. Finished the last week of February with 20.42 miles. Hit the trail this morning to inaugurate the month of March. Temps registered at 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-7 Celsius) with a slight breeze. Nothing heavy. Completed the 6.05 mile campus loop in 58:47 for a subsonic 9:43 min/mile pace. Random mixture of tunes on the box. Mahalo.

February 26, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Another frigid winter run. Borderline uncomfortable. 20 degrees at dawn (-7 Celsius) with a 25 mph North wind that made it feel like 10 degrees (-12). Layered up to the hilt and hit the road as planned. Heading South was cold, but nothing over the top. The three-mile return leg to the shack was extremely cold and mind-numbing. Pace was very slow. Finished the 6.03 mile campus loop in 1:00:31 for a 10:02 min/mile pace. Old Favorites on the box. Winter weather returning to these parts on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Will attempt to get a Saturday run in the books before things turn ugly. As things stand today, I completed another 20-mile week. Mahalo.

February 24, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Winter Conditions. Out the door to a snow-laden landscape and ice-covered sidewalks and side streets. Temp before dawn was 14 degrees Fahrenheit (-10 Celsius) with a calm breeze from the North. Layered up and hit the trail. Took it super slow and careful due to the ice and darkness. Completed the deserted 6.12 miles in 1:04:04 for a frozen 10:28 min/mile pace. Good times. Went with a nice 21st century mix this morning, including this gem from Bloc Party. Mahalo.

February 22, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Sunday morning. Out the door a bit later in a futile attempt to enjoy what overcast sun there was. Frigid, overbearing conditions with the temperature and will chill combining for an uncomfortable 29 degrees Fahrenheit or -2 Celsius. The wind was out of the North at a resounding 20 mph at times. Extended the route to Robinson and the Legacy Trail South to the Highway 9 boundary and then returned home via the South Greek and Western edge of the campus. Found a decent groove on the way back to the shack in spite of the wind and cold. Focused on stride, cadence and keeping it slow. Completed the 8.27 mile loop in 1:26:23 for a 10:27 min/mile pace. Hip Hop Explosion on the box. Finished the week with 20.50 miles. Mahalo.

February 19, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Awoke to a frigid 23 degrees Fahrenheit (-5 Celsius) with a windchill of 17 degrees (-8).  The wind was out of the east and made for some uncomfortable minutes at the onset. Layered up to the proverbial hilt and hit the trail. Streets were deserted. Completed the 6.04 mile campus loop in an icy 57:59 for a 9:36 min/mile pace. Splits were relatively consistent throughout. In fact, completed last Thursday's 6.03 miles in the same time. Blink 182 back on the box after a hiatus. Other than freezing my ass off, the run was pretty uneventful. Mahalo.

February 17, 2015

Dawn Patrol. As anticipated, I was forced to scrap yesterday's planned run due to ice on the trail after a winter storm pushed through during the overnight hours. Hit the pavement this morning with 27 degrees registering on the thermometer (-3 Celsius) and a negligible South breeze. It was a beautiful, frigid morning run. Layered up with the works for this one. Kept the earbuds at the casa and enjoyed the sights and sounds au naturel. Completed the 6.18 mile campus loop in 59:11 for a 9:35 min/mile pace. Mahalo.

February 14, 2015

Dawn Patrol. A perfect Saturday morning: temps in the mid-30s with a slight south wind. Out the door a bit later than usual, so I was able to run with the sun for a nice change.  Extended the route north to Robinson Ave. and the Legacy Trail, headed south to the Highway 9 boundary and then returned home through the South Greek and the west side of the campus. Tried mightily to keep the pace as slow as possible. Finished the 8.03 miles in 1:23:05 for a 10:21 min/mile pace. More 80s music on the box for shits and giggles. 19 miles for the week. Monday could be interesting if the weather forecasts are accurate, as ice looks possible. Developing. Mahalo.

February 12, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Sat out yesterday's planned six-miler, as I was winding down day four of the controlled fast/cleanse. Not pleasant on any level and will most likely wait a bit before attempting it again. No food for 96-hours is a super bummer. Anyhow, awoke to temps in the low-20s this morning and a slight north wind. Bundled up and hit the road at the appointed hour for a solid 10k through familiar streets. Finished the 6.03 mile campus loop in 57:49 for a leisurely 9:36 min/mile pace. An eclectic collection of 80's tunes on the box. Winter weather looms. Snow and ice in the forecast. Always pleasant. Aloha.

February 9, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Absolutely perfect running conditions to inaugurate the week: temps in the mid-40s with calm winds out of the South. Long-sleeves and shorts. Currently in the second day of a controlled fast/juice detox, so I shortened the route a bit this morning. I've never attempted to subsist on lemon juice, cayenne pepper and maple syrup before, and can't say that it's been enjoyable to date. Finished the 4.94 mile campus loop in a slow 52:00 for a 10:32 min/mile pace. I attribute the slow pace to not eating. Anything. For two days. Bowel-related issues caused near panic and intense fear. No need to go into detail. Suffice to say that I survived a very traumatic experience. On a brighter note, I enjoyed the Smashing Pumpkins this morning. Seemed fitting. Mahalo.

February 7, 2015

Early AM. Out the door right about the time the sunlight hit the olive oil. Splendid weather: awoke to temps in the mid-30s with a manageable South wind. Shorts and long-sleeves. Extended the route South to Highway 9 and North to Andrews Park. Everything was right with the world until mile three and then my bowels began to churn. Sushi and Asahi from Friday evening, perhaps? Luckily, I knew there was a porta-potty within reach. I endured the fear of exploding for about 5 minutes, although at the time it seemed like an eternity. I ducked in the porta-potty only to find an unbelievable sight: toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Hell, there was even a spare roll of toilet paper! Finished the 7.14 mile extended campus loop in 1:11:22 for a subsonic 9:59 min/mile pace. Assorted 90s Grunge Master mix on the box. Finished the week with 19.24 miles. Mahalo.

February 5, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Frozen Face. 20 degrees Fahrenheit with a wind chill of 10 degrees (-12 degrees Celsius). If there was ever a day to stay in bed and not run, today was that day. I, however, managed to crawl out of bed and hit the trail at the appointed hour in spite of the cold and wind and dread. Layered to the hilt, including a full-mask and heavyweight, Arctic-rated oil field gloves. Completed the 6.07 mile campus loop in a frigid 1:01:23 for a slowish 10:07 min/mile pace. Really took a beating when I turned back North for the return leg home. Splits slowed significantly, as I valiantly tried not to cry while keeping my legs churning. Strangely there were no other runners on the trail this morning. Tried and true Spartacus Redux Mix on the box. Friday off with nice weather rumored for the weekend. Ver para creer. Mahalo.

February 3, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Frozen. Opted not to run Monday morning in order to recuperate from the senseless debauchery that was Super Bowl Sunday. Awoke today, Tuesday, to 22 degrees Fahrenheit ( -5.5 Celsius) and a steady south wind. Layered up and hit the trail for February's first run. Even worked the tights for this one. Damn. The streets were deserted, as the smart money waited until daybreak and the promise of higher temps. Or ran on a treadmill at the YMCA. Completed the 6.03 miles in 58:11 for a 9:39 min/mile average pace. Splits were fairly consistent throughout. 80s punk on the box. More winter weather in the forecast. The words "winter mix" have been uttered in hushed tones around these parts. I am not afraid. Mahalo.

January 31, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Cold rain. Temps in the low 40s with a strong south breeze. Out the door a bit later than usual, as I waited to see if the rain might let up a bit. No chance. Layered up with long-sleeves and shorts. Headed south to the Highway 9 boundary and then back to the shack through the campus. A nice, wet, chilly, end-of-the-month run. Completed the 6.40 mile campus loop in 1:02:40 for a pedestrian 9:47 min/mile pace. Splits were fairly consistent from start to finish. Seemed appropriate to put Kula Shaker on the box with the dreary cold and rain. Missed 10-days of running in the month, but finished January on a strong note. 24 miles for the week. Back at it on Monday. Mahalo.

January 29, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Out the door at the appointed hour and met with an unbelievable 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 Celsius), along with a pretty strong north wind. Left the gloves at home, but worked the long-sleeves and shorts. Times were slow; I attribute the slowness to the copious amount of red wine consumed last evening, but it could be age or the thousands of miles on the odometer. I digress. Hit the eastern approach to begin things and finished up strong on the western side of the loop.  Completed the 6.01 campus loop in a leisurely 59:25 for a subsonic 9:53 min/mile pace. Really took a hit on the way home being pounded by that brutal north wind for three miles. More 90s music on the box.  Generation X, for the uninitiated. Weather changes on the way. Could be wet and cold on Saturday. A lethal combination. Aloha.

January 27, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Out the door to an almost warm 41 degrees (5 Celsius) and a slight breeze. Layered up with long-sleeves and shorts. Reversed the route for an uneventful 6.03 mile campus loop. Completed the run in 59:14 for a 9:49 min/mile average pace. A bit slower than recent times. 90s Rock seeping back into the rotation on the box.  Legs and lungs are getting back to normal after ten days off. Plan on another 12 miles before the end of the month. Less talk, more rock. Mahalo.

January 25, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Back in the game after a 10-day stint on the IR. The Flu came to town and it was not pretty. Lungs are still not 100% clear, but I felt today was a good day to get back out on the trail. Temps in the mid-40s (7 degrees Celsius) with a pretty strong wind out of the northwest. Long-sleeves and shorts. Started and finished slow. Legs felt heavy. Completed the 5.65 mile campus loop in 55:23 for a 9:48 min/mile pace. First sub-six mile run in a month and change. Seattle-Infused musical selections on the box. Inaugurated another pair of New Balance 1260 V4's this morning. Feels good to be back in the game. Mahalo.

January 14, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Another very cold morning with temps in the mid-20s (25 degrees Fahrenheit or -4 Celsius) and a light (3 mph) wind out of the north. Nothing too heavy, as the lack of wind made the run very manageable. Layered up and hit the streets in the pre-dawn hours for an uneventful 6.30 mile campus loop. The streets were deserted. Traffic around campus has picked up a bit since the Spring semester commenced; however, the cold weather and wind have left the campus and environs devoid of runners and walkers for the most part. Finished the 10 K run in 57:51 for a relatively fast 9:09 min/mile average pace. Have not complete a six-miler this "fast" since April 11, 2014. Must have been the Metallica blaring through the earbuds (Solid Thin Lizzy cover) or the Albuterol hits pre-run. Mahalo.

January 12, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Wine-Soaked Recovery. Another week of running commenced this morning. Cold (22 F, -5 C) with a strong North wind. Layered up and hit the road in the pre-dawn hours, per custom. Calle 13 on the box for a serious change of pace. Deserted streets. Completed the 6.04 mile campus loop in a chilly 58:02 for a 9:36 min/mile pace. Finished strong in spite of the wind and wine from last night. Will endeavor to utilize a M-W-F-Sa schedule moving forward, with Friday's runs being a short 5 K fun run for shits and giggles. Mahalo.

January 10, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Saturday Edition. Frozen. Temps in the low 20s (-6 Celsius) with a brisk South wind that begs the age old question: is it better to start into the wind or finish into the wind? I am used to starting out with the wind, getting warm and then descending into the discomfort of heading home with the wind in my face. Today required a change of focus, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Anyhow, extended the run to Highway 9 and finished the deserted 6.43 mile campus loop in 1:01:08 for a cold 9:31 min/mile average pace. Good times. Pearl Jam on the box. Mahalo.

January 7, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Another brutal, frozen, miserable morning for running. Out the door in spite of it all. Frozen North wind sweeping down the plains from the Arctic Circle. Temps in the low 20s (-6 Celsius) with a wind chill of 5 degrees (-15 Celsius). Layered up: three dri-fit long-sleeve tops, two pairs of tights, winter-rated gloves, full face mask and a running jacket rated for 0 degrees. With the wind at my back, I actually felt hot on the Southern leg of the trip; however, once I turned back North three-miles from home I felt like weeping.  Nothing like a 20 mph Arctic-flavored wind kicking your ass for thirty minutes. At times it felt as though I was standing still. Completed the 6.04 miles in 59:04 for a frozen 9:47 min/mile pace. The Vapors on the box. "Youth is wasted on the young." Oscar Wilde. Mahalo.

January 5, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Another frozen morning. Temps in the 14 degree range (-10 Celsius) with, luckily, absolutely no wind with which to contend. Unfortunately, I underdressed for this morning's jaunt. Dressed for temps in the 30 degree range, which, for the unordained, may seem inconsequential. I was, however, actually cold for the majority of the run. This is rare, even in the depths of winter, as I usually dress accordingly. Triple-layer dri-fit tops, winter tights, no jacket, lightweight cap and gloves were simply no match for the elements. Completed the 6.03 campus loop in 57:13 for a shivering 9:30 min/mile pace. 80's rock on the box. Solid. Mahalo.

January 2, 2015

Dawn Patrol. Inaugurating yet another year of running. My goal for this year is to complete 1,000 miles, or a mere 19.23 miles a week for the year. Totally within the realm of possibilities. Anyhow, I am six-miles closer after this morning. Awoke to a cold, distorted 30 degrees Fahrenheit (-1 Celsius) with a calm North breeze and a thick layer of fog. It was, however, downright balmy compared to Wednesday's frozen run. Layered up and completed the 6.02 mile campus loop in 57:47 for a slowish 9:36 min/mile pace. Smashing Pumpkins' Siamese Dream on the box. Made perfect sense in the fog and distortion. Saturday off. Mahalo.