The Forecast? Running Blind!

Run: 6.7 miles in approx. :56:00 min. @ 7:45 p.m.
Weather: Partly Cloudy, 57°F, 45% Humidity, Wind: CALM; feels like 57°F.
Pace: 8:21 min/mile
Course: A route along common ground--Canterbury to Monroe to Field to South Clinton to Westfall to Allen's Creek to Clover to Highland and, eventually, home.

As the result of some snafus (one of which will be detailed below), this evening's run did not go as well as I had hoped, punctuated by the fact that I did not meet my goals of putting in eight miles, having to instead settle for just under seven. Though the weather was favorable, and I felt well, because I forgot my watch, had no exact sense of mile markers in my mind, and I (once again) went out too soon after eating (though what I did eat was not too much), I had a feeling of foreboding not long after leaving my house at almost 8:00 p.m. (also too late)! In the end, I was left with a very pedestrian pace of 8:21 min/mile.

Due to computer problems, I was unable to update this post immediately following completion of the training run, which has been my usual practice. In fact, it appears as though I'll be "flying blind" (translation: without computer/Internet access) over the course of the weekend. This is not necessarily a "bad" thing, as I somewhat enjoy keeping a hard copy running log, but some details I usually keep with the benefit of the Internet (identifying just how far I've run, something I usually do with USATF Map It! and using Weather.com to keep track of the ... uh... weather conditions), will be more difficult.

Fortunately, I will not sweat what is really in the end "small stuff," and embrace the opportunity to run a little blind and maintain the course to meet my mileage goals this weekend.

Breathe in, breathe out… YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!

Today's Run Salvaged by... Starbucks!?!

Run: 11.1 miles in 1:27:06 min. @ 6:30 a.m.
Weather: Light Rain, but eventually cleared to Mostly Sunny, 48°F, 86% Humidity, Wind: From WSW at 12 mph; feels like 43°F.
Pace: 7:51 min/mile
Course: A fairly familiar run through a number of local "markers" (Highland Park, downtown River City, Twelve Corners Brighton) only this time in reverse. (11.10)

Let's talk about a delicate "running matter": It is not uncommon to find the need to use the facilities while out on a run, especially a long run (5+ miles) and after having had a few cups of hoe early in the morning. This is the circumstance I found myself in this morning as I passed the five mile mark of an intended 10+ mile jaunt.

Depending on where one finds him/herself the response is different. I've been in the woods or fields or parks and have found it necessary to relieve the discomfort (again, I'm trying to be "delicate"--and a situation my wife describes one one hand as "disgusting," and on the other suggests I carry t.p. with me on long runs), but this morning I was smack-dab in the center of the posh community of Brighton with only a Topps Market about a mile-and-half up the road in my radar.

Then I remembered that there was (surprise!) a Starbucks only a block away. Fortunately, even though it was early Sunday morning, Starbucks was indeed open for business, so I had a place with which to take care of my business in a less-than-wild manner.

I'm sure I looked a "hot mess" coming in the front door, and I was marginally concerned that they might have some sort of "no potty without purchase" deal, but the young barista(sp?) working the counter kindly pointed me in the proper direction. Shortly thereafter, I snuck out the back door, and filed away the note to stop by and purchase a cup of coffee as a thanks.

Thanks Starbucks for salvaging my long run... one that, following my visit to your fine Twelve Corners, Brighton, establishment, went off without a hitch!

Breathe in, breathe out… YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!

A Big GIANT-SIZED Run!!

Week 14, Key Run #3: 15.2 miles in 2:14:22 min. @ 7:00 a.m.
Plan: 17 miles @ MP +45 sec/mile
Weather: Partly Cloudy to Fair, 22°F, 73% Humidity, Wind: WSW @ 7 mph; feels like 13°F.
Target Pace: MP +45 sec. = 8:11 min/per mile
Actual Tempo Pace: 8:50 min/per mile
Course: A slightly modified variation of 16 Mile Eastsider, Yo! (oop, mixed flat & hills, roads), made using USATF Map It!

Pre-Run Ruminations: Similar to last week's Key Run #3, my pace this morning is intended to be "@ PMP + 45 seconds," but a significant difference from last week is that today I should be running 17 MILES, whereas last week I only went 11. The huge increase over such a short period of time is doe to my having confused two different FIRST plans, mistakingly following the plan for first time marathoners rather than the more advanced one (which asked for 15 miles).

The reality is I can't go back and re-ring that bell, so I need to take a bit of a jump from last to this week... thus a six mile hop to a 17 mile lsd. I hope you won't think poorly of me (and I don't beat myself up too much) if I split the difference and run only sixteen miles... I'm trying to plan a route that is safe and on roads and don't think I'm psychologically strong enough (yet!) to double back. So if my MP + 45 seconds equals 8:11 min/per mile, and I'm going to run 15-ish(!) miles, I should be out on the roads for a cumulative time of about two hours and fifteen minutes... and of course, having planned all this out, the weather has once gain turned WINTRY...UGH!

Post-Run Reflections: I made it all in one piece and not feeling half-bad, though at a much slower pace (+44 seconds!) than I had hoped, at some point it became about running the distance without stopping and staying focused, which is what I did... 'nuff said for now!

Laissez les bon temps rouler!