Opted for a short, easy barefoot run in lieu of my usual Monday rest day. Just wanted to keep the legs loose. Kind of boring just running laps around the soccer fields but I kept my mind entertained by thinking ahead to Sugarloaf.
Tomorrow's tempo run should be a pretty good assessment for the 'Loaf. I just haven't gotten in much speed work lately because of the taper and recovery for Boston. I'm confident it'll go well tomorrow though, given how I've been feeling lately. We'll see.
Ran 3.1 miles @ 8:40/mile pace.
Grassy fields.
Very flat.
Upper 50s, partly cloudy.
Barefoot, shorts, short sleeved shirt, cap.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Legs Are Coming Around
Some light good news this morning, as I examined yesterday's run data a little more closely and discovered that I had turned off my GPS and forgot to turn it on for a good stretch at the end. Looks like I can safely add another mile to that run (already adjusted the logs). That mile was at the end and was pretty fast. Even throughout the run, it was a bit of a light fartlek, where I opened things up on the wider trails when they were uncrowded.
Then there was today, where I ran in the woods out back this morning. Legs felt super and I slowed myself down a couple of times but overall I just went with it. I think my legs would benefit with some quicker turnover at this stage and they could absorb it just fine. Felt really great out there. Legs felt fresh and springy.
Glad to have two good days in a row, especially with today. Very hilly, and while roughly half of it is fire roads, it's still really hilly and the rest of the loop is technical sections that are pretty rugged.
On a bit of a down note, came across on a guy riding an ATV who had lost his dog the other day and was out looking for it. It was obvious he was distraught over it. I told him the route I was running and that I'd keep a sharp eye out, and I did, but no luck.
Tomorrow is a rest day, or maybe just a few miles barefoot on the soccer fields. Either Tuesday or Wednesday will be a tempo run. Should be a solid week of training that will serve as a good tune-up followed by a two week taper to Sugarloaf, which was the plan all along. Stoked to be on track. Confidence is high.
Ran 7.7 miles @ 8:46/mile pace.
Trails, fire roads.
Very hilly.
Mid to upper 40s, sunny, breezy.
New Balance MT110, shorts, windbreaker (shed 1.3 miles in), short sleeved shirt, cap.
Then there was today, where I ran in the woods out back this morning. Legs felt super and I slowed myself down a couple of times but overall I just went with it. I think my legs would benefit with some quicker turnover at this stage and they could absorb it just fine. Felt really great out there. Legs felt fresh and springy.
Glad to have two good days in a row, especially with today. Very hilly, and while roughly half of it is fire roads, it's still really hilly and the rest of the loop is technical sections that are pretty rugged.
On a bit of a down note, came across on a guy riding an ATV who had lost his dog the other day and was out looking for it. It was obvious he was distraught over it. I told him the route I was running and that I'd keep a sharp eye out, and I did, but no luck.
Tomorrow is a rest day, or maybe just a few miles barefoot on the soccer fields. Either Tuesday or Wednesday will be a tempo run. Should be a solid week of training that will serve as a good tune-up followed by a two week taper to Sugarloaf, which was the plan all along. Stoked to be on track. Confidence is high.
Ran 7.7 miles @ 8:46/mile pace.
Trails, fire roads.
Very hilly.
Mid to upper 40s, sunny, breezy.
New Balance MT110, shorts, windbreaker (shed 1.3 miles in), short sleeved shirt, cap.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Runnin' and Cheerin'
A very fun day down in Massachusetts at the TARC Spring Classic trail races. Kate and several other Trail Monsters were running and I went down to cheer and crew for everyone. And when I wasn't doing that, I was hanging out a lot with Ryan, grilling sausages and having a few beverages.
I also went for a run, deciding to do the 10K loop in reverse. That was fun, as I was able to see all of the runners and cheer them on. A lot of the trail was single track, so I was mindful to be diligent about stepping way off the trail well before runners reached me. I didn't want anyone to worry "Is that dude going to yield to me when we get closer?"
I got a bit lost out there. It's not as easy following an unfamiliar course backwards as it is forwards and I obviously missed some signs. That was alright though, the bonus mileage was a bit nice and the legs felt pretty great.
Big congrats to Kate for finishing in a little under seven hours despite not getting in much training, and a bit congrats to Danielle who finished the 50K in 4:51:XX. Blaine also rocked it but I forget his time. Christine, Nathan, George and Ann also did well. Obviously a great race put on by the Trail Animal Running Club, who were awesome, friendly hosts!
Ran 9.6 miles @ 9:36/mile pace.
Trails.
Slightly hilly.
Upper 40s to mid 50s, sunny.
New Balance MT110, shorts, short sleeved shirt.
I also went for a run, deciding to do the 10K loop in reverse. That was fun, as I was able to see all of the runners and cheer them on. A lot of the trail was single track, so I was mindful to be diligent about stepping way off the trail well before runners reached me. I didn't want anyone to worry "Is that dude going to yield to me when we get closer?"
I got a bit lost out there. It's not as easy following an unfamiliar course backwards as it is forwards and I obviously missed some signs. That was alright though, the bonus mileage was a bit nice and the legs felt pretty great.
Big congrats to Kate for finishing in a little under seven hours despite not getting in much training, and a bit congrats to Danielle who finished the 50K in 4:51:XX. Blaine also rocked it but I forget his time. Christine, Nathan, George and Ann also did well. Obviously a great race put on by the Trail Animal Running Club, who were awesome, friendly hosts!
Ran 9.6 miles @ 9:36/mile pace.
Trails.
Slightly hilly.
Upper 40s to mid 50s, sunny.
New Balance MT110, shorts, short sleeved shirt.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Piddly Run
Legs felt really heavy today. I wondered if that would go away if I kept going but decided to play it safe and cut it short. Kind of disappointing, but patience is key.
That's about all I got. Here, watch this instead:
Ran 1.6 miles @ 8:45/mile pace.
Paved roads.
Slightly hilly.
Lower 60s, partly cloudy, breezy.
Brooks Mach 13, shorts, short sleeved shirt.
That's about all I got. Here, watch this instead:
Ran 1.6 miles @ 8:45/mile pace.
Paved roads.
Slightly hilly.
Lower 60s, partly cloudy, breezy.
Brooks Mach 13, shorts, short sleeved shirt.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Chock Full O' Hills
Hit a route after work that contains some substancial hills. Pace was easy and it was a most pleasant run. Bit breezy up on the ridge alongside the farms, but still very nice. I love this route, it's pretty scenic.
Today was kind of a big jump in mileage and hills compared to what I've been doing in the past nine days since Boston. I think if the legs could talk they might have said "Dude, seriously?" out of annoyance, but they handled it okay. Felt pretty good overall, but short and especially easy on tap for tomorrow.
Ran 10.7 miles @ 7:56/mile pace.
Paved roads
Extremely hilly.
Mid 50s, partly to mostly cloudy, a few very light sprinkles, breezy.
Saucony Kinvara 2, shorts, short sleeved shirt.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Something is Better Than Nothing
A long, drawn out staff meeting cut into my running time since I had to get home for the cable guy. As a result, my seven miles at an easy-moderate pace was nixed in favor of a 2.9 mile loop at tempo pace.
Perhaps it's just as well, as I only got four hours of sleep last night, for no apparent reason. Went to bed a little later than usual and woke up at 1:30am and couldn't get back to sleep.
Legs felt great though. I'm confident that the ramp up should go well, as long as I'm careful. Will likely now forgo the other planned rest day on Thursday in favor of something short and easy.
Ran 2.9 miles @ 6:49/mile pace.
Paved roads.
Slightly hilly.
Mid 50s, sunny, breezy.
Saucony Kinvara 2, shorts, long sleeved shirt.
Perhaps it's just as well, as I only got four hours of sleep last night, for no apparent reason. Went to bed a little later than usual and woke up at 1:30am and couldn't get back to sleep.
Legs felt great though. I'm confident that the ramp up should go well, as long as I'm careful. Will likely now forgo the other planned rest day on Thursday in favor of something short and easy.
Ran 2.9 miles @ 6:49/mile pace.
Paved roads.
Slightly hilly.
Mid 50s, sunny, breezy.
Saucony Kinvara 2, shorts, long sleeved shirt.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Thin Ice
The legs felt very spry this morning. Set out on my 5K route while we have a break from the rain. Nice and cool out. Perfect running weather, in fact. With that, a quicker pace felt really easy and natural but I forced myself to slow down quite a few times. Even still, I probably went too fast overall, but at least it was only three miles.
It got me to thinking how pushing the pace or distance at this early of a stage is a bit like walking out on thin ice. You're taking a big chance and the results can be disastrous. Granted, I did take it pretty easy at Boston, but the variables are different because of the heat. Ensuring I'm in top form at Sugarloaf is primary, ego is secondary.
Rest day tomorrow and probably an additional one during the week as well. Emphasis will still be on easy runs, but I'll do some stride work later in the week and a longer (but not long) run over the weekend. The week after that will see some true speedwork and more mileage, but all erring on the side of caution and adjusting things as I go.
Ran 3.1 miles @ 7:22/mile pace.
Paved roads.
Slightly hilly.
Mid 40s, overcast, slight mist.
Brooks Mach 13, shorts, long sleeved shirt.
It got me to thinking how pushing the pace or distance at this early of a stage is a bit like walking out on thin ice. You're taking a big chance and the results can be disastrous. Granted, I did take it pretty easy at Boston, but the variables are different because of the heat. Ensuring I'm in top form at Sugarloaf is primary, ego is secondary.
Rest day tomorrow and probably an additional one during the week as well. Emphasis will still be on easy runs, but I'll do some stride work later in the week and a longer (but not long) run over the weekend. The week after that will see some true speedwork and more mileage, but all erring on the side of caution and adjusting things as I go.
Ran 3.1 miles @ 7:22/mile pace.
Paved roads.
Slightly hilly.
Mid 40s, overcast, slight mist.
Brooks Mach 13, shorts, long sleeved shirt.
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