Weekend Bliss

As advertised, it was beautiful running weather yesterday morning.  There was a light rain from beginning to end.  A planned six-miles ended up being a slow seven and change (7.28).  Right foot ache (arch) has me a off my game a bit.  Woke up last Tuesday with a bit of discomfort, which has persisted.  I'm relatively concerned due to its nagging nature.  I may rest it another day this week, depending on how it feels post long-run (18 miles) this pm.  It's currently 64 degrees and raining as I prepare to head out. 

Time: 1:12:28
Distance: 7.28 miles
9:57 avg. min/mile
1,099 cal.
Temp: 69 degrees Fahrenheit

September 29, 2012

An atypical week to be sure: ran Monday, then headed to St. Louis for three days, where I got my work done on the treadmill.  Took Thursday off, as planned, and then slept through Friday's planned 6.5.  So, I'm moving Friday's 6.5 to today, Saturday, which means that Sunday will be an 18-mile long run.  Get it?  I'm positive that there is a more concise and articulate manner in which to convey the fact that I am basically one-day behind, but...

I forgot how much I struggle on the damn treadmill.  So very boring.  Looking forward to hitting the road here this morning: it's currently cool and raining! Nothing like running in the rain.

Monday's Time: 56.37
Distance: 6.00 miles
9:27 avg. min/mile
910 cal.
Temp: 64 degrees Fahrenheit

Tuesday's Treadmill Time: 60:00
Distance: 6.00
10:00 avg. min/mile

Wednesday's Treadmill Time: 50:00
Distance: 5.00 miles
10:00 avg. min/mile

September 22, 2012

Saturday's long-run was definitely a forgettable experience.  Out the door at 430 am in the hopes of getting 17-miles in before the world was up for breakfast.  It was one of those morning when, early on, I knew it would be tough.  Never really felt it.  After pushing it for a couple of miles with the hope of getting through, I bonked at 15.22 miles: completely-out-of-fuel, ready-to-pass-out bonk.  There are worse things, to be sure; however, there is a brutal sense of hopelessness associated with not being able to run another step without the fear of passing out.  Anyhow, I survived and am poised to step out the door for an easy six-miles this morning.  The training regime continues: this week has 6.5 x 4 and an 18-mile long run on Saturday.  Week 11 is 44-miles of training, the longest of Higdon's training program.

Friday's Time: 55:45
Distance: 5.39
9:39 avg. min/mile
820 cal.
Temp: 60 degrees Fahrenheit

Saturday's Time: 2:46:01
Distance: 15.22 miles
10:54 avg. min/mile
2,254 cal.
Temp: 63 degrees Fahrenheit

Week Ten Summary:
33 miles (282 for training period)
4 runs and 0 gym days
Weight: 197 lbs. (-1 lbs.)

September 20, 2012

Skipped Tuesday's planned six-miles after some hard-core dental work Monday afternoon. Back in the game Thursday with an easy five and change.  Ran it a bit faster than in previous outings; however, I'm skeptical of the GPS accuracy on this one.  It just didn't seem that much faster.  So, out the door this morning for six.  Saturday has a 17-mile long run planned.  Week's total to be in the 34-mile range...

Time: 47:20
Distance: 5.44 miles
8:42 avg. min/mile
781 cal.
Temp: 60 degrees Fahrenheit

September 17, 2012

Awoke to a surreal Marine Layer Fog event! The landscape, enveloped in fog, made for an interesting pre-dawn run.  I felt slow and stiff throughout; in fact, I never really found a sustainable groove until the fifth mile, or so it seemed.  Will take Tuesday off, and hit the trail again on Wednesday.  Weather appears to be cooperating.

Time: 56:37
Distance: 6.00 miles
9:27 avg. min/mile
910 cal.
Temp: 58 degrees Fahrenheit

September 15, 2012

So much for the extra mileage this week: left the house late on Saturday morning, so I was only able to get a seven-miler in the books.  The long-run was scrapped; however, mileage for the week was where it needed to be.  Week nine was the half-way mark in Higdon's training regime: the next five weeks are tough.  Average weekly miles will be in the mid-40s, while the long runs are between 13 and 20 miles.  Still vacillating on whether or not a person really needs two 20-mile training runs prior to the marathon.  I'd rather do 21 or 22 once and then save what limited mojo I have for the marathon! Luckily, the weather seems to have turned and the temps will be pleasant from here on out.  Week ten's schedule: 6-6-6-6-17.

Friday's Time: 46:15
Distance: 5.22 miles
8:51 avg. min/mile
792 cal.
Temp: 59 degrees Fahrenheit

Saturday's Time: 1:07:12
Distance: 7.34 miles
9:09 avg. min/mile
1,112 cal.
Temp: 58 degrees Fahrenheit

Week Nine Summary:
28 miles (249 for training period)
5 runs and 0 gym days
Weight: 198 lbs. (no change)

September 13, 2012

Another very cool morning.  Ran the familiar loop a bit faster thanks to the relatively low temp and humidity.  The plan was to take two days off this week; however, it's currently 56 degrees out there...so, I'm stepping out! Five miles this morning and 13 on tap for Saturday.  An extra five miles never hurt anyone, right? 

Time: 47:35
Distance: 5.36 miles
8:53 avg. min/mile
787 cal.
Temp: 62 degrees Fahrenheit

September 11, 2012

Tuesday morning bliss! Out the door for another standard, no-frills, five-mile maintenance run. The weather is cooperating nicely--cool like the underside of the pillow!  No complaints.  Building a nice compilation of songs for the marathon, assuming ear buds are feasible.  Took Wednesday off instead of having two off-days in a row...

Time: 45:29
Distance: 4.82 miles
9:27 avg. min/mile
726 cal.
Temp: 60 degrees Fahrenheit

September 10, 2012

Another cool morning! Out the door at 500 am with the temp in the high 50's.  Found myself gravitating to the hits of the 90s this morning...slow pace and lacked a focus, but a day that starts with a run is a good day.  Another five tomorrow...

Time: 48:11
Distance: 5.17 miles
9:20 avg. min/mile
784 cal.
Temp: 58 degrees Fahrenheit

September 8, 2012

A beautiful, cool dawn with temps in the upper 50s!  Out the door at 500 am for a planned 15 and ended up with 15.50.  Pace was great and my legs were fine.  The run took on performance art status at mile 13, as I became a bit silly, but that's pretty much the norm.  Feeling great as week nine commences.  It's a short week because Mr. Higdon gives us an extra day off.  Saturday's long run is 13.  The total mileage will be 28, down from this week's 37.  This week looks like a 5-5-5-13, with Thursday and Friday being off days.  I may even head to gym...

Time: 2:40:30
Distance: 15.49 miles
10:12 avg. min/mile
2,324 cal.
Temp: 58 degrees Fahrenheit

Week Eight Summary:
37 miles (221 for training period)
5 runs and 0 gym days
Weight: 198 lbs. (no change)

September 7, 2012

Out the door a few minutes behind schedule this morning.  A planned six was shortened to a five and change.  Weather remains hot and humid; however, a "cold front" is on the way.  Solid run to get me ready for Saturday's outing...

Time: 48:07
Distance: 5.23 miles
9:12 avg. min/mile
781 cal.
Temp: 75 degrees Fahrenheit

September 5, 2012

Local H on the box for a hot and humid five miles.  16 miles in three days gives me a day off on Thursday.  Friday (six miles) and Saturday (15 miles) round out the week. 

Time: 48:24
Distance: 5.18 miles
9:20 avg. min/mile
812 cal.
Temp: 79 degrees Fahrenheit

September 4, 2012

Another hot and humid pre-dawn run through familiar territory.  Felt slow from the onset and my time reflects it.  Five-miles on tap for Wednesday morning, followed by a complete off-day on Thursday.

Time: 57:00
Distance: 6.01 miles
9:29 avg. min/mile
952 cal.
Temp: 78 degrees Fahrenheit

September 3, 2012

Working a compilation of 90's music into the repertoire! Hard to believe that Siamese Dream is damn near 20-years old. Man. Anyhow, the first mile was slow and tight, but I soon found my groove. It was 80-degrees, though! Stepping out soon for another six...

Time: 49:13
Distance: 5.30 miles
9:18 avg. min/mile
828 cal.
Temp: 80 degrees Fahrenheit

September 1, 2012

Ode to the German war machine. A great long run to cap off the seventh week of training.  Had to remind myself to slow down from the onset, and managed to keep my pace pretty consistent throughout.  Could probably slow down a bit more and still be good.  Physically, no issues thus far, other than being stiff.  Sunday was a great recovery day.  This week's schedule mimics week seven with the addition of one-mile to the long run: 5-6-5-6-15.  Joy...

Time: 2:20:53
Distance: 14.01 miles
10:06 avg. min/mile
2,124 cal.
Temp: 73 degrees Fahrenheit

Week Seven Summary:
36 miles (184 for training period)
5 runs and 0 gym days
Weight: 198 lbs. (no change)

August 31, 2012

A solid six-mile loop to start Friday morning.  The pace was unexceptional, but a nice run nonetheless.  Temps are inching back up again, which is a bit of a downer, but Autumn remains on the horizon!  Finishing up a cup of coffee and then out the door to get this 14-mile long run in the proverbial books...


Time: 55.19
Distance: 6.01 miles
9:12 avg. min/mile
937 cal.
Temp: 63 degrees Fahrenheit

August 29, 2012

Stepped out to temps in the low 60s for a nice five-mile run.  It felt almost chilly!  Finished strong, which put my pace right at nine-minutes per mile.  It would be wonderful (and highly unlikely) to run the marathon at that pace.  Thursday is an off day.  I have completely neglected my workout responsibilities at the gym!  Maybe next week I'll get a day of lifting in the books...and maybe not.  80 days out...

Time: 46:59
Distance: 5.23 miles
9:00 avg. min/mile
827 cal.
Temp: 63 degrees Fahrenheit

August 28, 2012

Another nice six-mile run in hot and humid conditions.  Patiently awaiting Autumn and cooler temps, but that goes without saying.  Felt slow and a bit stiff and my time reflected it.  Tuesday's run put me over 1,000 miles since I started using Runkeeper to track mileage last August.  Five-miles scheduled for Wednesday.  Saturday's 14-miles looms...

Time: 56.45
Distance: 5.97 miles
9:30 avg. min/mile
938 cal.
Temp: 75 degrees Fahrenheit

August 27, 2012

Kicking off the seventh week of training in hot and humid conditions.  A solid Monday run nonetheless.  Times are trending exactly where I would expect them--nine-minute miles.  Physically, I can feel it; however, no aches or pains at this stage.  Six-miles on Tuesday.

Time: 48:02
Distance: 5.19 miles
9:16 avg. min/mile
811 cal.
Temp: 75 degrees Fahrenheit

August 25, 2012

Out the door early to enjoy the shortest long-run for the foreseeable future.  In fact, the next single-digit long-run is an eight-miler the weekend before the marathon.  From here on out it gets serious, including two twenty-mile runs in October.  No gym days this past week.  This week's schedule: 5-6-5-6-14.  Thursday and Sundays are off days. 

Time: 1:28:49
Distance: 8.93 miles
9:57 avg. min/mile
1,405 cal.
Temp: 76 degrees Fahrenheit

Week Six Summary:
30 miles (148 for training period)
5 runs and 0 gym days
Weight: 198 lbs. (no change)

August 24, 2012

Dawn Patrol and an easy five and change in the books.  It was a beautiful, cool morning with the Police on the box. Reggatta de Blanc (1979) is one of my favorites.  Anyhow, Saturday's long run is nine miles.  I feel that this, the sixth week of Higdon's program, marks the end of the initial training period and a definite transition into harder training and longer miles.  Sunday is an off day!

Time: 48:45
Distance: 5.32 miles
9:10 avg. min/mile
837 cal.
Temp: 72 degrees Fahrenheit

August 22, 2012

Short Timer! Nice and cool yet again for a quick lap around the block...or so it seems.  Thursday is a complete off day this week: no weights.  Returning to the street for six and nine to finish the week.  I am feeling it, for sure...and it's just starting to get serious.  

Time: 34:13
Distance: 3.84 miles
8:56 avg. min/mile
600 cal.
Temp: 72 degrees Fahrenheit

August 21, 2012

Tuesday morning bliss...out the door early for a nice and easy five-miler.  Still having issues with the Runtracker GPS: the tried and true five-miles is now 4.48 miles.  I definitely have some obsessive-compulsive tendencies, but I'm not sweating it! Solid run in nice weather.  Hitting the trail again on Wednesday...

Time:41:46
Distance: 4.48 miles
9:20 avg. min/mile
707 cal.
Temp: 68 degrees Fahrenheit

August 20, 2012

Started this, the sixth week of training, off with a very cool (and very nice) 62 degree Monday morning run.  Will tweak the schedule moving forward by adding a day of running, yet will not be adding miles.  Let me explain.  Higdon's model has called for two three-mile runs a week-- since I would rather run six as maintenance, I have simply been combining them in to one six-mile run.  Next week he adds a mile each day, thus bringing the maintenance run to four-miles.  As the miles build, it seems more feasible (from a time management perspective, at least) to adhere to his schedule.  Thus, this week I will run 6-4-4-6-9.  Tuesday's gym day is devoted to the street from here on out!

Time: 55:56
Distance: 6.02 miles
9:18 avg. min/mile
945 calories
Temp: 63 degrees Fahrenheit

August 18, 2012

Out the door a few minutes after 500 am to get my long run for the week in the books before it became unbearably warm.  Stashed the carbs (Gatorade) at the half-way mark, as well as hit two water stops along the way.  It was a solid end to a good week of training.  I am a bit stiff, most likely due the fact that my training slacked off for two-weeks during our holiday.  For that reason, I did not include those two weeks in my training regiment.  This week is a step-down week in terms of miles: 6-5-6-9.

Time: 1:56:08
Distance: 11.50 miles
10:07 avg. min/mile
1,812 cal.
Temp: 74 degrees Fahrenheit

Week Five Summary:
29 miles (118 for training period)
4 runs and 0 gym days
Weight: 198 lbs. (no change)

August 17, 2012

Another cool morning to enjoy an almost six-mile loop around campus.  The route is generally six-miles even; however, the GPS decided to shave .12 miles off of Friday's run.  I felt slow and sluggish, and my pace reflects it. 12 miles set for Saturday morning.  I have yet to break-out the long-sleeves; however, I'm hoping that these cool temps remain...

Time: 54:53
Distance: 5.88 miles
9:20 avg. min/mile
916 cal.
Temp: 68 degrees Fahrenheit

August 15, 2012

A solid mid-week six-miler in relatively cooler temps.  It may seem a bit counter-intuitive, but I really enjoyed listening to Steely Dan out on the trail. Heading to the gym on Thursday and then finishing out the week with six and eleven-mile runs.  I feel good: hopefully the hottest part of the summer is over and the slow, gradual decent in to autumn can begin!

Time: 53:23
Distance: 6.04 miles
8:51 avg. min/mile
911 cal.
Temp: 71 degrees Fahrenheit

August 13, 2012

Back in the game after a two-week holiday.  Actually, I continued to run, but did so with a much more relaxed focus.  It was nice stepping out at 500 am to enjoy temps in the low 60's for a nice change of pace.  Monday morning's run back in familiar territory was nice and easy.  Feels good to be back in training mode.  This week's schedule is 5-6-6-11.  A mere 96 days out...

Time: 47:55
Distance: 5.03 miles
9:32 avg. min/mile
787 cal.
Temp: 73 degrees Fahrenheit

July 28, 2012

Saturday morning bliss: out the door at 500 am for an 11-mile long run to cap off week four of training.  Feels great getting the majority of a run in before "the sunlight hits the olive oil." The heat and humidity were still oppressive, but I managed.  Multiple water stops along the way helped to keep hydration issues in check.  Solid run.

Time: 1:45:53
Distance: 11.02 miles
9:36 avg. min/mile
1,731 cal.
Temp: 79 degrees Fahrenheit

Week Four Summary:
23 miles (89 for training period)
3 runs and 1 gym day
Weight: 198 lbs. (no change)

July 27, 2012

A nice Friday run after a couple of days off.  Six-miles in new shoes.  It felt good getting back to running after missing Wednesday's run.  It was hot and humid, as is the normal in these parts right now.  Stepping out to 75 degrees at 500 am is one thing...adding 98% humidity only exacerbates it!  Planned long-run of eleven miles for Saturday...cooler environs on the horizon.

Time: 56:08
Distance: 6.05 miles
9:17 avg. min/mile
948 cal.
Temp: 75 degrees Fahrenheit