Distance: 1 mile
Time: 7:55
Location: Powhatan Out-and-Back
After a day off yesterday (we were getting our potentially new house inspected), I set out tonight on a short run, just 1 mile out and back along Powhatan Road. My calves have been constantly sore lately, so I cherish each day off and hope that it will be enough for my muscles to heal. But usually when I set out on that run, the first thing I notice is the pain in my calves. It was no different tonight. However, it wasn't so bad that it ruined my run. I was able to push through it, and in spite of the soreness, the first 1/4 mile felt really good. I ran hard and smooth and hardly broke a sweat. But once I neared the halfway point, I could feel myself slowing down. And when I hit the 1/2 mile mark and turned around, to make matters worse, I was hit with a wall of wind. It had been a very windy day up here in the desert, and though it mellowed out slightly when night descended, it was still blowing enough to make things challenging. I battled against the wind the whole way back, but in some ways it allowed me to forget about my sore muscles and concentrate on maintaining a strong pace in the face of this new challenge. For the last 400 meters I forced as good a kick as I could. I ended up with a 7:55. It's actually my second fastest mile since May 2010, even though I felt like I ran slow in the wind. Had I had no wind to deal with, I may have been able to beat the August 2010 time of 7:50. Things are definitely getting better, and I can feel my legs strengthening with each run. My endurance needs work, but usually that's the last thing that happens when conditioning. Muscles build fast, but stamina builds slowly. The one, major missing piece in this training puzzle is longer runs. Two miles is just not going to cut it long term. I ran 3 miles only twice last year. I need long runs before I can really say I've gotten somewhere. And definitely before I can expect to approach my high school PRs.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Worth the Wait
Distance: 2 miles
Time: 16:29
Location: Powhatan to Ottawa
I missed Monday's run, but I made up for it with a new 2010/11 PR in the 2-mile tonight. Saturday's 2 mile run was okay, a 17:13, which is good compared to my times last year, but not as good as last week's 16:38. But then tonight the extra days' rest must have paid off, because I ended up running a 16:29, moving 9 seconds closer to the 15s! I didn't feel all that great at the start of the run. My feet were aching and I still had a little bit of muscle pain. But that mostly went away when I got deep into the run. I really tried to push it for the first mile. I stayed on my toes almost the whole time, and I've been noticing that my reserved energy has been lasting longer and longer -- I didn't feel like I had done anything until a 1/4 mile into the run. During the 2nd mile my lower calf muscles began to hurt, especially my left one. I began trying different things, like pushing harder off my right leg. I was making a conscious effort to increase my pace. Even though I didn't feel all that great, I knew I still had a chance to set a new record. When I reached the final 400 meters I did everything I could to run faster. My legs didn't want to cooperate so I just started wildly swinging my arms. By the end I was using almost as much arm power as leg power! And I was glad I did. Thanks to my kick at the end I just barely broke my previous 2011 PR.
I've definitely noticed that since I've been trying to do all my running on my toes to lower my times, I've been feeling more stress on my calves. I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing, but I just need to strengthen those muscles so I'm not constantly nagged by muscle pain. I need to make sure to get in runs the rest of the week, especially since I missed Monday. I'm very excited about my progress so far, but there's still so much improvement left to make.
Time: 16:29
Location: Powhatan to Ottawa
I missed Monday's run, but I made up for it with a new 2010/11 PR in the 2-mile tonight. Saturday's 2 mile run was okay, a 17:13, which is good compared to my times last year, but not as good as last week's 16:38. But then tonight the extra days' rest must have paid off, because I ended up running a 16:29, moving 9 seconds closer to the 15s! I didn't feel all that great at the start of the run. My feet were aching and I still had a little bit of muscle pain. But that mostly went away when I got deep into the run. I really tried to push it for the first mile. I stayed on my toes almost the whole time, and I've been noticing that my reserved energy has been lasting longer and longer -- I didn't feel like I had done anything until a 1/4 mile into the run. During the 2nd mile my lower calf muscles began to hurt, especially my left one. I began trying different things, like pushing harder off my right leg. I was making a conscious effort to increase my pace. Even though I didn't feel all that great, I knew I still had a chance to set a new record. When I reached the final 400 meters I did everything I could to run faster. My legs didn't want to cooperate so I just started wildly swinging my arms. By the end I was using almost as much arm power as leg power! And I was glad I did. Thanks to my kick at the end I just barely broke my previous 2011 PR.
I've definitely noticed that since I've been trying to do all my running on my toes to lower my times, I've been feeling more stress on my calves. I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing, but I just need to strengthen those muscles so I'm not constantly nagged by muscle pain. I need to make sure to get in runs the rest of the week, especially since I missed Monday. I'm very excited about my progress so far, but there's still so much improvement left to make.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Heading West
Distance: 2 miles
Time: 17:13
Location: Powhatan to Pawnee
Today was a long day. I got up at 7am, headed to Barstow, picked up some members of the track team, drove all the way to Cerritos, watched our shot putter compete in the CIF Championships, then left and headed to Ontario Mills, ate some lunch at BJ's, and finally headed back to Barstow and then home. Last Saturday was similarly busy, except when I got home I was too exhausted to run. This Saturday I wanted to avoid that, so I forced myself out the door. I knew I wanted to get in at least 2 miles but I didn't feel like running my standard Powhatan to Ottawa Route. After searching for some alternate routes I settled on a simple one: 1 mile west on Powhatan to Pawnee and back. Instead of mapping out a winding and complex route I decided on a simple out-and-back. Normally all my neighborhood runs take me east on Powhatan (since that takes me farther away from Central, the closest main, and thus busy, road). But tonight I decided to head west. It meant running along more traffic, but it wasn't all that bad. What was different about tonight's run was the monotony of running one mile in one direction, and the same coming back. It seemed like it took forever to get to the halfway point. My leg muscles hurt and I wasn't able to run on the balls of my feet for as long as some other recent runs. Today was my third straight day of running and I think it's caught up with me. My lower calf muscles especially are feeling the burn, which I think is a result of running on my toes more frequently. All the same, I really tried to push it tonight. During the run I didn't feel like I'd be beating my 16:38 record from Thursday, but I pushed myself as best I could. My tired legs caused my pace to slow, along with all my flat footed running. When I finished I saw my time of 17:13 and was actually rather pleased. It's my 3rd fastest 2-mile time since May 2010, and yet I felt pretty lethargic during the run. I felt like it should have been high 17s. So it's a good feeling to know that I can "mail in" a time that took me all summer last year to achieve. When my muscles heal and my stamina improves, I shouldn't have a problem running in the 16s consistently. Tomorrow I take a much needed rest.
Time: 17:13
Location: Powhatan to Pawnee
Today was a long day. I got up at 7am, headed to Barstow, picked up some members of the track team, drove all the way to Cerritos, watched our shot putter compete in the CIF Championships, then left and headed to Ontario Mills, ate some lunch at BJ's, and finally headed back to Barstow and then home. Last Saturday was similarly busy, except when I got home I was too exhausted to run. This Saturday I wanted to avoid that, so I forced myself out the door. I knew I wanted to get in at least 2 miles but I didn't feel like running my standard Powhatan to Ottawa Route. After searching for some alternate routes I settled on a simple one: 1 mile west on Powhatan to Pawnee and back. Instead of mapping out a winding and complex route I decided on a simple out-and-back. Normally all my neighborhood runs take me east on Powhatan (since that takes me farther away from Central, the closest main, and thus busy, road). But tonight I decided to head west. It meant running along more traffic, but it wasn't all that bad. What was different about tonight's run was the monotony of running one mile in one direction, and the same coming back. It seemed like it took forever to get to the halfway point. My leg muscles hurt and I wasn't able to run on the balls of my feet for as long as some other recent runs. Today was my third straight day of running and I think it's caught up with me. My lower calf muscles especially are feeling the burn, which I think is a result of running on my toes more frequently. All the same, I really tried to push it tonight. During the run I didn't feel like I'd be beating my 16:38 record from Thursday, but I pushed myself as best I could. My tired legs caused my pace to slow, along with all my flat footed running. When I finished I saw my time of 17:13 and was actually rather pleased. It's my 3rd fastest 2-mile time since May 2010, and yet I felt pretty lethargic during the run. I felt like it should have been high 17s. So it's a good feeling to know that I can "mail in" a time that took me all summer last year to achieve. When my muscles heal and my stamina improves, I shouldn't have a problem running in the 16s consistently. Tomorrow I take a much needed rest.
Friday, May 20, 2011
One Year
Distance: 1/2 mile
Time: 3:40
Location: Powhatan
One year ago today I officially began my "intensive" running regimen. It was one of my most serious attempts to get back into shape, and for the most part it has been an effective exercise. Keeping this blog, I think, has played a big part in my perseverance. Almost every summer I attempt to get back into shape, but it's usually a short-lived attempt. But last summer (actually starting in mid-spring) I somehow maintained a pretty regular training regimen. Unfortunately it fell apart around September. Work, as I suspected, got in the way and suffocated my motivation. I ran off and on during the autumn, but by December I was all off. Until spring arrived. I re-ignited my running routine in April 2011 and it's been going pretty well ever since. And today I pause to think on what I've accomplished in one whole year.
As far as my times go, they've dropped but not by all that much. My first timed mile in May 2010 was 9:36, but since then I haven't run faster than 7:50. My stamina has improved, but I have a ways to go. Unfortunately my mileage isn't where I had hoped it would be. Besides one 3-mile run back in August 2010, I haven't exceeded 2 miles. Most of my runs have been 1 or 2 miles. My focus has been on lowering my times, so I guess I still feel like my times in those distances need to drop a lot more. But more miles is definitely on my to-do list for this summer. All in all I'm pleased with where I am now compared to one year ago. Had I trained through the autumn and winter I'm sure I'd be further along, but that's something I'll have to work on.
As far as tonight's run goes, I opted for a measly half mile. I was feeling highly unmotivated and I originally was only going to run 1 mile since I ran a hard 2 miles yesterday. But when it came time to actually run, I wasn't feeling ready for it. My legs were sore and my stomach felt full (from the pizza I had had for dinner). But it was after 9pm and I didn't want to wait any longer. So I compromised and decided to run a half mile instead. My first 2 runs in April when I re-started my training regimen were half miles, and they were horrible! I ran a 4:22 and a 4:09, slower than any half mile I ran in 2010. So I knew tonight I needed to redeem myself. But when I started running I wasn't feeling very strong at all. My muscles in my legs were tight and sore and my breathing was heavy. I really pushed it for the first 200 meters, but then I was hit with fatigue rather quickly. Not a good sign. For the next 400 meters I maintained a steady pace as best I could, and then for the last 200 meters I kicked it in. It wasn't a great kick, but it was enough to assure a better time. I ended up with a 3:40. It was good to be out of the dreaded 4s, but it still wasn't representative of what I'm capable of. In September 2010 I ran a 3:15, and even a whole year ago, on May 26th, 2010, I ran a 3:39, 1 second faster than tonight. So I still have much work to do.
I hope to get a good long run in tomorrow. I have another CIF track meet to attend tomorrow and I'm hoping I'll have enough energy when I get home to hit the pavement. I'm anxious to see where my 2 mile will be after yesterday's 16:38.
Time: 3:40
Location: Powhatan
One year ago today I officially began my "intensive" running regimen. It was one of my most serious attempts to get back into shape, and for the most part it has been an effective exercise. Keeping this blog, I think, has played a big part in my perseverance. Almost every summer I attempt to get back into shape, but it's usually a short-lived attempt. But last summer (actually starting in mid-spring) I somehow maintained a pretty regular training regimen. Unfortunately it fell apart around September. Work, as I suspected, got in the way and suffocated my motivation. I ran off and on during the autumn, but by December I was all off. Until spring arrived. I re-ignited my running routine in April 2011 and it's been going pretty well ever since. And today I pause to think on what I've accomplished in one whole year.
As far as my times go, they've dropped but not by all that much. My first timed mile in May 2010 was 9:36, but since then I haven't run faster than 7:50. My stamina has improved, but I have a ways to go. Unfortunately my mileage isn't where I had hoped it would be. Besides one 3-mile run back in August 2010, I haven't exceeded 2 miles. Most of my runs have been 1 or 2 miles. My focus has been on lowering my times, so I guess I still feel like my times in those distances need to drop a lot more. But more miles is definitely on my to-do list for this summer. All in all I'm pleased with where I am now compared to one year ago. Had I trained through the autumn and winter I'm sure I'd be further along, but that's something I'll have to work on.
As far as tonight's run goes, I opted for a measly half mile. I was feeling highly unmotivated and I originally was only going to run 1 mile since I ran a hard 2 miles yesterday. But when it came time to actually run, I wasn't feeling ready for it. My legs were sore and my stomach felt full (from the pizza I had had for dinner). But it was after 9pm and I didn't want to wait any longer. So I compromised and decided to run a half mile instead. My first 2 runs in April when I re-started my training regimen were half miles, and they were horrible! I ran a 4:22 and a 4:09, slower than any half mile I ran in 2010. So I knew tonight I needed to redeem myself. But when I started running I wasn't feeling very strong at all. My muscles in my legs were tight and sore and my breathing was heavy. I really pushed it for the first 200 meters, but then I was hit with fatigue rather quickly. Not a good sign. For the next 400 meters I maintained a steady pace as best I could, and then for the last 200 meters I kicked it in. It wasn't a great kick, but it was enough to assure a better time. I ended up with a 3:40. It was good to be out of the dreaded 4s, but it still wasn't representative of what I'm capable of. In September 2010 I ran a 3:15, and even a whole year ago, on May 26th, 2010, I ran a 3:39, 1 second faster than tonight. So I still have much work to do.
I hope to get a good long run in tomorrow. I have another CIF track meet to attend tomorrow and I'm hoping I'll have enough energy when I get home to hit the pavement. I'm anxious to see where my 2 mile will be after yesterday's 16:38.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Getting Somewhere
Distance: 2 miles
Time: 16:38
Location: Powhatan to Ottawa Route
Now we're talking! Tonight's 2 mile run was a giant leap forward. It was the fastest 2-mile I've run since May of 2010 when I began my training regimen. 16:38. I finally broke 17 and not just barely. My previous '10/'11 PR was 17:10, which I ran on the Nisqually Route on August 12th, 2010. Since then I had a couple of close times on the Powhatan/Ottawa Route (17:22 and 17:20), but nothing to indicate that tonight I would shave off over 30 seconds from my previous best! My motivation has been lacking lately, so I hope tonight's time will be just the boost I need.
I last ran on Monday, a 17:20. Since then I had a couple of busy days, including yesterday when my parents and Deborah's parents came up to visit and check out the house we're hoping to move into soon. It ended up being a late night and thus I didn't get a run in. So tonight's run was important. As soon as I got home from work I changed into my running gear (one of my strategies for assuring I'll get a run in). And once the sun went down (around 8:20pm) I departed. As soon as I started my run I felt pretty good. My legs felt good and strong and I immediately set my mind to breaking a record tonight. However, those feelings faded a little into the run. I was breathing harder than normal and I didn't know if I would be able to maintain a strong pace. But I persevered. I forced myself to run on my toes for most of the run. It definitely wasn't an easy run. I struggled to keep myself on pace, but it paid off in the end. When I rounded the corner from Mesquite onto Powhatan I looked at my watch and saw a 14:30 with 400 meters to go. I knew I had a PR in the bag as long as I maintained my pace. So I pushed myself as hard as I could for that last quarter. But even pushing myself I felt like I was barely moving. I was spent. But it must have worked because I ended up with 16:38 which is right where I wanted to be.
I've only been running now for about 3 weeks since taking 5 months off, and I can't believe the progress I've made. My ultimate PRs are still far off in the distance, but they're seeming closer every day. Tonight was slightly warmer than Monday but still cool for May. With the weather as it is now it would be ideal for day runs, but I never have the time for those. Still, the weather was pleasant enough tonight, though it'll be nice when I don't have to run with sweatshirts anymore.
Time: 16:38
Location: Powhatan to Ottawa Route
Now we're talking! Tonight's 2 mile run was a giant leap forward. It was the fastest 2-mile I've run since May of 2010 when I began my training regimen. 16:38. I finally broke 17 and not just barely. My previous '10/'11 PR was 17:10, which I ran on the Nisqually Route on August 12th, 2010. Since then I had a couple of close times on the Powhatan/Ottawa Route (17:22 and 17:20), but nothing to indicate that tonight I would shave off over 30 seconds from my previous best! My motivation has been lacking lately, so I hope tonight's time will be just the boost I need.
I last ran on Monday, a 17:20. Since then I had a couple of busy days, including yesterday when my parents and Deborah's parents came up to visit and check out the house we're hoping to move into soon. It ended up being a late night and thus I didn't get a run in. So tonight's run was important. As soon as I got home from work I changed into my running gear (one of my strategies for assuring I'll get a run in). And once the sun went down (around 8:20pm) I departed. As soon as I started my run I felt pretty good. My legs felt good and strong and I immediately set my mind to breaking a record tonight. However, those feelings faded a little into the run. I was breathing harder than normal and I didn't know if I would be able to maintain a strong pace. But I persevered. I forced myself to run on my toes for most of the run. It definitely wasn't an easy run. I struggled to keep myself on pace, but it paid off in the end. When I rounded the corner from Mesquite onto Powhatan I looked at my watch and saw a 14:30 with 400 meters to go. I knew I had a PR in the bag as long as I maintained my pace. So I pushed myself as hard as I could for that last quarter. But even pushing myself I felt like I was barely moving. I was spent. But it must have worked because I ended up with 16:38 which is right where I wanted to be.
I've only been running now for about 3 weeks since taking 5 months off, and I can't believe the progress I've made. My ultimate PRs are still far off in the distance, but they're seeming closer every day. Tonight was slightly warmer than Monday but still cool for May. With the weather as it is now it would be ideal for day runs, but I never have the time for those. Still, the weather was pleasant enough tonight, though it'll be nice when I don't have to run with sweatshirts anymore.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Spring Chill
Distance: 2 miles
Time: 17:20
Location: Powhatan to Ottawa Route
It was tough getting out the door tonight. I last ran on Thursday. I was supposed to run Saturday, but after a long day in Costa Mesa at a CIF track meet, I came home and lost all energy to go for a run. So I knew I had to run tonight, no matter what! But that was easier said than done. For the past couple of weeks we've been having cooler than normal weather. It's mid-May, but it has felt like mid-winter. Today was especially cool, and windy. Plus, I met my wife at Chipotle after work and had a monster burrito, which I knew was going to make it extra tough to run later. So finally, after letting my food settle, I put on my running gear, complete with sweatshirt, and began stretching. By the time I got out the door it was after 9pm. It was cold and pretty windy still, so I was less than eager to begin my run. This really was one of my most reluctant runs.
But I'm super glad I went through with it, because it ended up being one of my best 2-miles since last May. When I finally started running I was immediately struck by the sky. There was a full moon, but with all the clouds it created a dramatic wash of greys streaking across the black sky. Around the moon was a hazy glow that lit the road in front of me. It was all rather striking, and it preoccupied me for the first quarter mile or so. The cold and wind, though, was always naggingly there. I wasn't planning on breaking any records, only running steady and strong and getting my 2 miles in. I felt like my pace started out pretty slow, but then as I neared the halfway point I began to increase my pace, almost without even thinking. Little by little I began to change my tactic from just getting the job done to striving for a good time. By the time I reached the final quarter I was pushing as hard as I could. I wasn't able to muster a real fast kick, but my pace did indeed steadily increase throughout the run. However, I didn't think my time would be all that great. I thought there was a chance I'd be in the 17s, but I didn't think I'd beat my time of 17:22 from last week. So I was rather surprised when I saw I had got a time of 17:20. Not a big jump from last week, but my surprise came more from the fact that I didn't feel like I ran any faster. And I guess that's a pretty good sign. The conditions and the fact that I was unmotivated made me think that tonight's run was simply mediocre, so I'm now quite anxious to see what I can do on a day of perfect weather when I am more mentally energized.
I may not be able to get another run in till Thursday, and I hope by then the weather will have warmed up. Tonight, though, when all was said and done, was rather nice. In addition to my improved time, it was actually nice running in the cool night, as if it was the middle of January. I could smell wood burning in fireplaces and the air was as crisp as a Christmas Eve! And yet it's May! Strange indeed.
Time: 17:20
Location: Powhatan to Ottawa Route
It was tough getting out the door tonight. I last ran on Thursday. I was supposed to run Saturday, but after a long day in Costa Mesa at a CIF track meet, I came home and lost all energy to go for a run. So I knew I had to run tonight, no matter what! But that was easier said than done. For the past couple of weeks we've been having cooler than normal weather. It's mid-May, but it has felt like mid-winter. Today was especially cool, and windy. Plus, I met my wife at Chipotle after work and had a monster burrito, which I knew was going to make it extra tough to run later. So finally, after letting my food settle, I put on my running gear, complete with sweatshirt, and began stretching. By the time I got out the door it was after 9pm. It was cold and pretty windy still, so I was less than eager to begin my run. This really was one of my most reluctant runs.
But I'm super glad I went through with it, because it ended up being one of my best 2-miles since last May. When I finally started running I was immediately struck by the sky. There was a full moon, but with all the clouds it created a dramatic wash of greys streaking across the black sky. Around the moon was a hazy glow that lit the road in front of me. It was all rather striking, and it preoccupied me for the first quarter mile or so. The cold and wind, though, was always naggingly there. I wasn't planning on breaking any records, only running steady and strong and getting my 2 miles in. I felt like my pace started out pretty slow, but then as I neared the halfway point I began to increase my pace, almost without even thinking. Little by little I began to change my tactic from just getting the job done to striving for a good time. By the time I reached the final quarter I was pushing as hard as I could. I wasn't able to muster a real fast kick, but my pace did indeed steadily increase throughout the run. However, I didn't think my time would be all that great. I thought there was a chance I'd be in the 17s, but I didn't think I'd beat my time of 17:22 from last week. So I was rather surprised when I saw I had got a time of 17:20. Not a big jump from last week, but my surprise came more from the fact that I didn't feel like I ran any faster. And I guess that's a pretty good sign. The conditions and the fact that I was unmotivated made me think that tonight's run was simply mediocre, so I'm now quite anxious to see what I can do on a day of perfect weather when I am more mentally energized.
I may not be able to get another run in till Thursday, and I hope by then the weather will have warmed up. Tonight, though, when all was said and done, was rather nice. In addition to my improved time, it was actually nice running in the cool night, as if it was the middle of January. I could smell wood burning in fireplaces and the air was as crisp as a Christmas Eve! And yet it's May! Strange indeed.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Getting the Job Done
Distance: 1 mile
Time: 8:02
Location: Powhatan Road
*Note - This run occurred Thursday, May 12th.
Yesterday was such a great run that I had to follow it up with another good one. However, yesterday's run also took its toll on me. My legs felt quite sore all day long. After work I had to rush back to Apple Valley, meet my wife, and go sign loan documents for the new home we're hoping to get. By the time we got back home (after first having a delicious dinner at Johnny Rebs', one of our favorite BBQ joints) I felt like I only had time for a quick mile. Even though I was sore, though, I tried to make the most of this run. I pushed it from the get-go. The muscles in my legs, especially my calves, were burning, and it made it a bit uncomfortable to run. But I still felt strong. It was a nice, warm night. And I know warm nights will be a regular occurrence here soon, with summer around the corner, but lately we've actually been having a rather cool spring, with night temperatures dropping a lot, so tonight was a welcomed change. I finished the run with a strong kick. In fact, this was one of my first runs of late in which I was strongly motivated to beat my (recent) mile PR, which is 7:50. I felt that with my lower 2-mile time yesterday, and a 7:59 mile on this same route last week, I had a strong chance of doing it. But, alas, I came across the finish line at 8:02. My sore muscles must have held me back. I was satisfied with my effort, though. And 8:02 is still one of my best times on this route (third best, to be exact). So I'm still improving as far as I see it. I plan now to rest my muscles for a day or 2, and hopefully come back and drop my 2-mile time even lower. 16s here I come!
Time: 8:02
Location: Powhatan Road
*Note - This run occurred Thursday, May 12th.
Yesterday was such a great run that I had to follow it up with another good one. However, yesterday's run also took its toll on me. My legs felt quite sore all day long. After work I had to rush back to Apple Valley, meet my wife, and go sign loan documents for the new home we're hoping to get. By the time we got back home (after first having a delicious dinner at Johnny Rebs', one of our favorite BBQ joints) I felt like I only had time for a quick mile. Even though I was sore, though, I tried to make the most of this run. I pushed it from the get-go. The muscles in my legs, especially my calves, were burning, and it made it a bit uncomfortable to run. But I still felt strong. It was a nice, warm night. And I know warm nights will be a regular occurrence here soon, with summer around the corner, but lately we've actually been having a rather cool spring, with night temperatures dropping a lot, so tonight was a welcomed change. I finished the run with a strong kick. In fact, this was one of my first runs of late in which I was strongly motivated to beat my (recent) mile PR, which is 7:50. I felt that with my lower 2-mile time yesterday, and a 7:59 mile on this same route last week, I had a strong chance of doing it. But, alas, I came across the finish line at 8:02. My sore muscles must have held me back. I was satisfied with my effort, though. And 8:02 is still one of my best times on this route (third best, to be exact). So I'm still improving as far as I see it. I plan now to rest my muscles for a day or 2, and hopefully come back and drop my 2-mile time even lower. 16s here I come!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Pushing Through
Distance: 2 miles
Time: 17:22
Location: Powhatan to Ottawa Route
Wow. I made some serious progress tonight! After skipping out on a run on Monday (it was cold and I procrastinated too long) I knew I had to get a run in tonight. I wasn't feeling very energetic or eager to run tonight, but luckily I was able to will myself out the door. I decided to go ahead and attempt 2 miles. Last time I ran 2 miles was November 10 when I ran an 18:49 (which was actually a good time for me on this route). Last week I made some good progress with my mile, and I realized that it wasn't going to take me that long to get back to where I was last year when I was running frequently before going on a 5 month hiatus. I've mentioned this already, but it bears repeating because I just can't get over how much of an impact it has made: my drop in weight, I believe, is allowing me to run faster now after 5 months off than I was a year ago when I was running 5 times a week! Tonight was proof in point. My 2 mile route in my neighborhood was one of my most frequent runs last year. But most of the time my times on it were slower than usual. For example, my best 2 mile time was on the Nisqually Route at 17:10 (August 12th, 2010), but my best 2 mile time on the Powhatan/Ottawa Route was 18:47 (June 29th, 2010). So when I finished my run tonight I was shocked to see a 17:22! I dropped 1:25 off of my previous best for this route and ran my second fastest 2-mile since May 2010! I must credit, again, my drop in weight as well as the fact that I never stopped. Last year, for some reason, I would always stop at the halfway point of this particular route. But tonight I didn't even entertain that thought. I felt strong for most of the run and I was determined to just push on through.
The run really did feel great. I switched back and forth from running on my heels to my toes. But for the most part I was able to maintain a strong form. I tried to run like a gazelle, light on my feet, rather than like a horse, clodhopping along; and for most of the run it worked. It took its toll on my legs, for as soon as I finished I could feel the throb in my lower leg muscles. I'm sure I'll be plenty sore tomorrow! I still can't believe how much time I dropped tonight. It gives me hope that I'll soon be in the 16s. It's still a long way off from my 12:53 PR, but I'm getting there. Tonight was a big step forward.
Time: 17:22
Location: Powhatan to Ottawa Route
Wow. I made some serious progress tonight! After skipping out on a run on Monday (it was cold and I procrastinated too long) I knew I had to get a run in tonight. I wasn't feeling very energetic or eager to run tonight, but luckily I was able to will myself out the door. I decided to go ahead and attempt 2 miles. Last time I ran 2 miles was November 10 when I ran an 18:49 (which was actually a good time for me on this route). Last week I made some good progress with my mile, and I realized that it wasn't going to take me that long to get back to where I was last year when I was running frequently before going on a 5 month hiatus. I've mentioned this already, but it bears repeating because I just can't get over how much of an impact it has made: my drop in weight, I believe, is allowing me to run faster now after 5 months off than I was a year ago when I was running 5 times a week! Tonight was proof in point. My 2 mile route in my neighborhood was one of my most frequent runs last year. But most of the time my times on it were slower than usual. For example, my best 2 mile time was on the Nisqually Route at 17:10 (August 12th, 2010), but my best 2 mile time on the Powhatan/Ottawa Route was 18:47 (June 29th, 2010). So when I finished my run tonight I was shocked to see a 17:22! I dropped 1:25 off of my previous best for this route and ran my second fastest 2-mile since May 2010! I must credit, again, my drop in weight as well as the fact that I never stopped. Last year, for some reason, I would always stop at the halfway point of this particular route. But tonight I didn't even entertain that thought. I felt strong for most of the run and I was determined to just push on through.
The run really did feel great. I switched back and forth from running on my heels to my toes. But for the most part I was able to maintain a strong form. I tried to run like a gazelle, light on my feet, rather than like a horse, clodhopping along; and for most of the run it worked. It took its toll on my legs, for as soon as I finished I could feel the throb in my lower leg muscles. I'm sure I'll be plenty sore tomorrow! I still can't believe how much time I dropped tonight. It gives me hope that I'll soon be in the 16s. It's still a long way off from my 12:53 PR, but I'm getting there. Tonight was a big step forward.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Beneath the Rocks
Distance: 0.9 miles
Time: 7:37
Location: Horsemen's Center
Today I wanted to run somewhere other than Powhatan. I decided to head over to Horsemen's Center, where I last ran on August 21st, 2010, the day of the Apple Valley Mud Run (and the day Deborah broke her leg). As this is Mother's Day Weekend, though, I didn't know if the park would be available. Sure enough, upon arriving I saw RVs and tents set up all over, with people everywhere. I decided to alter my route, and instead of running in the park, I would run in a large open area just south of it, right next to a mountain of picturesque rock formations. I had mapped out a couple of routes here back home on mapmyrun.com, and I had discovered that 3/4 of the way around the perimeter
of this open area equaled 1/4 of a mile. I did some quick and hasty calculations and determined that three laps around the perimeter would equal 1 mile. So I parked my car, stretched a bit, and took off. My legs felt good, as they have been all week, but for some reason my breathing felt labored. My chest was tight and I felt like maybe I was beginning to cramp up -- all this within the first 200 yards of the run. It wasn't a good sign. I worked on my breathing, slowing it down and trying to inhale deeply. I had initially wanted to get in 2 miles (which would have been at least 6 laps), but after feeling pain in my chest, I decided 1 mile would suffice. After the first lap my breathing got better. The tightness in my chest went away and I felt more relaxed. I took in the scenery: large boulders of rock protruding up into the blue sky and the valley off to the south and west. It was a beautiful afternoon and a scenic run. I finally reached my third and final lap. The terrain here isn't even, and it's all dirt, so it's more like trail running. One leg of the lap is all uphill, which was good training for me. There was even a small obstacle: a dirt mound I had to leap over. I rounded the final turn and kicked it to the end. I was surprised to see a 7:37. Either I had just run my fastest mile since last May, or I had miscalculated and run less than a mile. When I got home I discovered it was the latter. It was actually 0.9 miles, and so my mile time most likely would have been over 8 minutes, which is understandable given the terrain. All the same, it was a great run. I love running on dirt, surrounded by nature, breathing deeply the clean air. It ended a pretty good running week. I know soon I need to up my mileage, but for now I'm enjoying the strides I'm making.
Time: 7:37
Location: Horsemen's Center
Today I wanted to run somewhere other than Powhatan. I decided to head over to Horsemen's Center, where I last ran on August 21st, 2010, the day of the Apple Valley Mud Run (and the day Deborah broke her leg). As this is Mother's Day Weekend, though, I didn't know if the park would be available. Sure enough, upon arriving I saw RVs and tents set up all over, with people everywhere. I decided to alter my route, and instead of running in the park, I would run in a large open area just south of it, right next to a mountain of picturesque rock formations. I had mapped out a couple of routes here back home on mapmyrun.com, and I had discovered that 3/4 of the way around the perimeter
of this open area equaled 1/4 of a mile. I did some quick and hasty calculations and determined that three laps around the perimeter would equal 1 mile. So I parked my car, stretched a bit, and took off. My legs felt good, as they have been all week, but for some reason my breathing felt labored. My chest was tight and I felt like maybe I was beginning to cramp up -- all this within the first 200 yards of the run. It wasn't a good sign. I worked on my breathing, slowing it down and trying to inhale deeply. I had initially wanted to get in 2 miles (which would have been at least 6 laps), but after feeling pain in my chest, I decided 1 mile would suffice. After the first lap my breathing got better. The tightness in my chest went away and I felt more relaxed. I took in the scenery: large boulders of rock protruding up into the blue sky and the valley off to the south and west. It was a beautiful afternoon and a scenic run. I finally reached my third and final lap. The terrain here isn't even, and it's all dirt, so it's more like trail running. One leg of the lap is all uphill, which was good training for me. There was even a small obstacle: a dirt mound I had to leap over. I rounded the final turn and kicked it to the end. I was surprised to see a 7:37. Either I had just run my fastest mile since last May, or I had miscalculated and run less than a mile. When I got home I discovered it was the latter. It was actually 0.9 miles, and so my mile time most likely would have been over 8 minutes, which is understandable given the terrain. All the same, it was a great run. I love running on dirt, surrounded by nature, breathing deeply the clean air. It ended a pretty good running week. I know soon I need to up my mileage, but for now I'm enjoying the strides I'm making.
Under 8
Distance: 1 mile
Time: 7:59
Location: Powhatan Road
*Note - This run occurred Friday, May 6th.
My miles have been progressively faster since last week, but I wasn't expecting to break 8 minutes quite so soon. Tonight I ran a 7:59, the second fastest time on the Powhatan Route and only the second time I've broken 8 on this route. I didn't feel like I ran a 7:59; in fact, I felt like I wasn't going to beat Wednesday's 8:14. But my strides were a bit more powerful, and, again, I remained on my toes for most of the run, relying on the muscles in my legs more than on overall endurance. I only ran under 8 minutes three times last year, twice at Granite Hills and once on Powhatan. So to be back in that range is a great feeling. I'm still quite a ways away from my overall PR of 5:28, but I'm creeping up on it for sure. I've decided to list below my top 5 times on the Powhatan Route, just to see where I stand now in comparison to last year:
1. 7:57 9/11/10
2. 7:59 5/6/11
3. 8:14 5/4/11
4. 8:21 9/6/10
5. 8:25 6/18/10
Two of my top 5 times have come this week, which tells me that I'm right back on track. However, running a mile doesn't necessarily indicate a strong level of endurance. Once I finally start running 2 miles and more, then I'll really see where I stand. But for now it's nice to be feeling good out there and not lagging behind where I got myself last year.
Time: 7:59
Location: Powhatan Road
*Note - This run occurred Friday, May 6th.
My miles have been progressively faster since last week, but I wasn't expecting to break 8 minutes quite so soon. Tonight I ran a 7:59, the second fastest time on the Powhatan Route and only the second time I've broken 8 on this route. I didn't feel like I ran a 7:59; in fact, I felt like I wasn't going to beat Wednesday's 8:14. But my strides were a bit more powerful, and, again, I remained on my toes for most of the run, relying on the muscles in my legs more than on overall endurance. I only ran under 8 minutes three times last year, twice at Granite Hills and once on Powhatan. So to be back in that range is a great feeling. I'm still quite a ways away from my overall PR of 5:28, but I'm creeping up on it for sure. I've decided to list below my top 5 times on the Powhatan Route, just to see where I stand now in comparison to last year:
1. 7:57 9/11/10
2. 7:59 5/6/11
3. 8:14 5/4/11
4. 8:21 9/6/10
5. 8:25 6/18/10
Two of my top 5 times have come this week, which tells me that I'm right back on track. However, running a mile doesn't necessarily indicate a strong level of endurance. Once I finally start running 2 miles and more, then I'll really see where I stand. But for now it's nice to be feeling good out there and not lagging behind where I got myself last year.
Back In The Game
Distance: 1 mile
Time: 8:14
Location: Powhatan Road
*Note - This run occurred Wednesday, May 4th.
Another crazy day. The house we looked at on Monday ended up being just what we were looking for, so we decided to make an offer on it today. I had to rush home yet again. But after a hectic day a run is sometimes the best remedy. I headed out on my standard route again. I felt pretty good, and I was able to run on my toes for a bit longer than on Monday. Like usual, I began to feel fatigued after the halfway point. I came down on my heels for maybe 200 yards or so, but then I forced myself back on my toes and pushed it to the end. I was pleased to see I had run an 8:14, which is actually the second fastest I've ever run the Powhatan Route! I couldn't believe that after 5 months of not running at all I'd be able to catch back up this quickly. Again, I think a great deal of the reason is my lighter weight. At a steady 167 right now, I'm easily 10 pounds lighter than when I was running miles last summer.
Tomorrow I have to travel up to Ridgecrest for track finals. It's going to be a long day and I know I won't have time for a run. However, I'm looking forward to some good weekend runs!
Time: 8:14
Location: Powhatan Road
*Note - This run occurred Wednesday, May 4th.
Another crazy day. The house we looked at on Monday ended up being just what we were looking for, so we decided to make an offer on it today. I had to rush home yet again. But after a hectic day a run is sometimes the best remedy. I headed out on my standard route again. I felt pretty good, and I was able to run on my toes for a bit longer than on Monday. Like usual, I began to feel fatigued after the halfway point. I came down on my heels for maybe 200 yards or so, but then I forced myself back on my toes and pushed it to the end. I was pleased to see I had run an 8:14, which is actually the second fastest I've ever run the Powhatan Route! I couldn't believe that after 5 months of not running at all I'd be able to catch back up this quickly. Again, I think a great deal of the reason is my lighter weight. At a steady 167 right now, I'm easily 10 pounds lighter than when I was running miles last summer.
Tomorrow I have to travel up to Ridgecrest for track finals. It's going to be a long day and I know I won't have time for a run. However, I'm looking forward to some good weekend runs!
Chipping Away
Distance: 1 mile
Time: 8:34
Location: Powhatan Road
*Note - This run occurred Monday, May 2nd.
This was the beginning of a hectic week. Not only is track season winding down (and thus we're busy preparing for the postseason), but my wife and I are also house hunting, and I've been having to rush home after work to meet with our Realtor. After looking at a promising house, and getting a bite to eat with my mom, I laced up to run a mile on my standard (Powhatan) route. Last week was my first week of my 2011 training, and it was kind of a mixed bag. My first two runs were just half miles, and they were slow. But when I finally decided to run a full mile I was surprised to see my time right up there with my better times of 2010. It gave me hope.
So today I set out on a mile run, this time on my neighborhood street. This was a route I'd run countless times last year. I ran my slowest time on it (a 9:36 in May of 2010) and one of my fastest times (a 7:57 in September of 2010). I didn't want to wait any longer to get some real running in, so I went for it. And tonight I felt pretty good. I ended up with an 8:34, better than last week, and actually better than most of my times on this route last year! I pushed it a bit harder tonight, doing my best to run on the balls of my feet for as long as I could. I'm still not feeling great on these runs, but I know that I won't be needing to climb the same mountain I had to last year when I began running after years of inactivity. Five months off hurt me, but not devastatingly. And of course my lighter weight is helping a great deal.
Time: 8:34
Location: Powhatan Road
*Note - This run occurred Monday, May 2nd.
This was the beginning of a hectic week. Not only is track season winding down (and thus we're busy preparing for the postseason), but my wife and I are also house hunting, and I've been having to rush home after work to meet with our Realtor. After looking at a promising house, and getting a bite to eat with my mom, I laced up to run a mile on my standard (Powhatan) route. Last week was my first week of my 2011 training, and it was kind of a mixed bag. My first two runs were just half miles, and they were slow. But when I finally decided to run a full mile I was surprised to see my time right up there with my better times of 2010. It gave me hope.
So today I set out on a mile run, this time on my neighborhood street. This was a route I'd run countless times last year. I ran my slowest time on it (a 9:36 in May of 2010) and one of my fastest times (a 7:57 in September of 2010). I didn't want to wait any longer to get some real running in, so I went for it. And tonight I felt pretty good. I ended up with an 8:34, better than last week, and actually better than most of my times on this route last year! I pushed it a bit harder tonight, doing my best to run on the balls of my feet for as long as I could. I'm still not feeling great on these runs, but I know that I won't be needing to climb the same mountain I had to last year when I began running after years of inactivity. Five months off hurt me, but not devastatingly. And of course my lighter weight is helping a great deal.
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