Ran 4.0 miles @ 7:00/mile pace.
I probably went too fast again today, but it was only four miles and I had taken the two previous days off. But it felt sooooooo gooooooooooood. Not only that, it almost seemed effortless.
Everything is looking great for the Mt. Desert Island Marathon on Sunday. I'll be heading up tomorrow after work with my friend Chris who is also running it. Chris competed in the Vermont 50 with me three weeks ago, and is a fun guy to run with. We'll have a blast for sure.
I'm very curious as to how my legs will be holding out for the marathon. I'm still planning on setting off at around an 8:00/mile pace for the first half. I'll see how I feel at that point but hope to open the jets up a little more then if I feel good. I've been feeling great on my shorter runs, but I'm wondering just how fatigued my legs are from the ultra three weeks ago. I'm simply viewing this race as an experiment, but I'm fairly confident I'll still run a good race. If not, so be it.
Weather for Sunday is also looking perfect. Lows around freezing the night before, warming up into the 50s that day.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Monday, October 09, 2006
Back Cove Run
Ran 3.56 miles @ 7:40/mile pace.
I thought it'd be fun to go into Portland to run the Back Cove this morning, so that's what I did. I saw one of my running friends, Jim, there running the opposite direction that I was. It's always nice to see a familiar face during a run. It's also nice to just see other runners in general, and they are always out at the Back Cove. I live in a rural area so I never see others out when I'm running near my home. A change of scenery every now and then is always good.
Today was another day of nice weather, albeit a touch on the warm side (temps in the 50s during my run, getting up into the lower 70s today). I took it easy for the most part and just trotted along. I'm still feeling good for the MDI Marathon and can't wait.
I thought it'd be fun to go into Portland to run the Back Cove this morning, so that's what I did. I saw one of my running friends, Jim, there running the opposite direction that I was. It's always nice to see a familiar face during a run. It's also nice to just see other runners in general, and they are always out at the Back Cove. I live in a rural area so I never see others out when I'm running near my home. A change of scenery every now and then is always good.
Today was another day of nice weather, albeit a touch on the warm side (temps in the 50s during my run, getting up into the lower 70s today). I took it easy for the most part and just trotted along. I'm still feeling good for the MDI Marathon and can't wait.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Cool Morning, Easy Run
Ran 4.62 miles @ 7:44/mile pace.
Ah, fall. When I went running this morning temperatures had warmed up to the lower 40s, which is my favorite temperature range to run in. Leaves are also at their peak colors which only added to the fun.
Given yesterday's tempo run of sorts, today called for taking it easy. I did my first two miles at 7:55 and 7:53 respectively, which is around the marathon pace I plan on doing for a week from today and about what I had hoped for. Miles three and four were way too fast (7:30 and 7:37), as well as the last six-tenths (7:48 mile/pace). Slowing down has always been hard for me. Still, the run felt good and I'm looking forward to next weekend.
Ah, fall. When I went running this morning temperatures had warmed up to the lower 40s, which is my favorite temperature range to run in. Leaves are also at their peak colors which only added to the fun.
Given yesterday's tempo run of sorts, today called for taking it easy. I did my first two miles at 7:55 and 7:53 respectively, which is around the marathon pace I plan on doing for a week from today and about what I had hoped for. Miles three and four were way too fast (7:30 and 7:37), as well as the last six-tenths (7:48 mile/pace). Slowing down has always been hard for me. Still, the run felt good and I'm looking forward to next weekend.
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Letting Loose
Ran 5.7 miles @ 7:15/mile pace.
I needed a confidence booster with today's run, and I got what I was looking for. I did the right thing the past week by playing it safe and easy with my running to allow myself to recover, but at the same time, I was beginning to fear that a sluggish mindset was creeping in. Not good, so I thought I'd open the throttle a bit today and see how it felt.
I did my first warm up mile and then picked up the pace once the uphills really started going (first half of this route is all uphill). All systems were go throughout the run and I felt great both mentally and physically. Some of my mile splits didn't record correctly because of a few GPS outages, but I know I did the first mile in 7:53 and the last mile in 6:44.
Andrew suggested that I should be okay to run everyday so long as I take it easy, and I was thinking that as well. So, that's the plan. The MDI marathon is next week, and though my legs likely won't be 100%, I still think I can set a new PR (currently it's 3:28:48).
I needed a confidence booster with today's run, and I got what I was looking for. I did the right thing the past week by playing it safe and easy with my running to allow myself to recover, but at the same time, I was beginning to fear that a sluggish mindset was creeping in. Not good, so I thought I'd open the throttle a bit today and see how it felt.
I did my first warm up mile and then picked up the pace once the uphills really started going (first half of this route is all uphill). All systems were go throughout the run and I felt great both mentally and physically. Some of my mile splits didn't record correctly because of a few GPS outages, but I know I did the first mile in 7:53 and the last mile in 6:44.
Andrew suggested that I should be okay to run everyday so long as I take it easy, and I was thinking that as well. So, that's the plan. The MDI marathon is next week, and though my legs likely won't be 100%, I still think I can set a new PR (currently it's 3:28:48).
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Keeping the Rust Off
Ran 4.0 miles @ 7:40/mile pace.
I did my own little workout before XC practice got started. I meant to run 5.0 miles, but I accidentally cut my route short. Probably just as well, as my pace was faster than I would have liked. Since I only have three weeks here between the ultra and the upcoming marathon, healing up is important and I need to keep that in the front of my mind more.
The good news though is my legs are feeling fine and today's run felt pretty good. I thought my pace was slower, but it wasn't. It did feel like it required a little more effort, but I'm wondering if a good part of that is simply mental.
Rest day planned for tomorrow.
I did my own little workout before XC practice got started. I meant to run 5.0 miles, but I accidentally cut my route short. Probably just as well, as my pace was faster than I would have liked. Since I only have three weeks here between the ultra and the upcoming marathon, healing up is important and I need to keep that in the front of my mind more.
The good news though is my legs are feeling fine and today's run felt pretty good. I thought my pace was slower, but it wasn't. It did feel like it required a little more effort, but I'm wondering if a good part of that is simply mental.
Rest day planned for tomorrow.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Running in Orchards
Ran 6.0 miles. Pace varied.
It was fun exploring new running territory today with the XC team that took us through an apple orchard. We ran 2.0 miles to the farm, with the last one being a very grueling uphill. I definitely charged up it faster than I should have, but made it a point to take it easy the rest of the day, which I managed to do.
When we arrived, everyone was free to break up and do their own workouts. I took it light and just jogged around the main orchard and also down to a pond and back. That was an additional two miles for me, while most of the others ran longer.
We ran the same route back to the school, for another two. It was a bit laborious overall, but that's to be expected at this point. Tomorrow will definitely be a rest day.
It was fun exploring new running territory today with the XC team that took us through an apple orchard. We ran 2.0 miles to the farm, with the last one being a very grueling uphill. I definitely charged up it faster than I should have, but made it a point to take it easy the rest of the day, which I managed to do.
When we arrived, everyone was free to break up and do their own workouts. I took it light and just jogged around the main orchard and also down to a pond and back. That was an additional two miles for me, while most of the others ran longer.
We ran the same route back to the school, for another two. It was a bit laborious overall, but that's to be expected at this point. Tomorrow will definitely be a rest day.
Monday, October 02, 2006
Healing Legs, New Shoes
Ran 2.0 miles @ 7:45/mile pace
Ran 2.0 miles @ 8:30/mile pace
Today I just ran the warm up and cool down run with the high school XC team. I was tempted to do the mile repeats with them, but that wouldn't be wise.
The good news is that my legs felt great today. Dare I say they even felt fresh. Plan is to continue to take it easy the rest of this week and all of next. I have the Mt. Desert Island Marathon to run on October 15th and though I won't be in the best shape for it given the 50-miler last week, I'd still like to post a respectable time.
Today I also ran in a new pair of New Balance 767s that I bought yesterday. Great fit for me and all signs are pointing to a pair of great shoes here in the early onset.
Ran 2.0 miles @ 8:30/mile pace
Today I just ran the warm up and cool down run with the high school XC team. I was tempted to do the mile repeats with them, but that wouldn't be wise.
The good news is that my legs felt great today. Dare I say they even felt fresh. Plan is to continue to take it easy the rest of this week and all of next. I have the Mt. Desert Island Marathon to run on October 15th and though I won't be in the best shape for it given the 50-miler last week, I'd still like to post a respectable time.
Today I also ran in a new pair of New Balance 767s that I bought yesterday. Great fit for me and all signs are pointing to a pair of great shoes here in the early onset.
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