Running For My Life

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 07/31/2008
• Time: 05:00:00
• Total Time: 00:49:30.00
• Distance: 6 miles
• Average Pace: 8:15.19/mile

Workout:

• Type: General Cardio
• Date: 07/30/2008
• Time: 05:00:00
• Total Time: 00:50:00.00

This morning’s run was rather uneventful, as was yesterday’s.  I was just looking at my training logs, however, and realized that I am only 5 miles short of my all-time record for miles run in a single month.  My high was 225 set last November (before that, I had a 223-mile month in 2006 and a 219-mile month in 2002).  Right now I am at 220 with one more run scheduled this month, an 8-miler on Thursday (tomorrow is a cross-training day).  So assuming I am able to complete my run on Thursday, that will be a personal best for me.

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 07/29/2008
• Time: 05:00:00
• Total Time: 1:14:48.00
• Distance: 9 miles
• Average Pace: 8:18.61/mile

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 07/28/2008
• Time: 05:00:00
• Total Time: 1:16:48.00
• Distance: 9 miles
• Average Pace: 8:32.09/mile

The mid-summer heat made this morning’s 19-mile long run quite a challenge, but I still managed to finish strong.  Here were my splits:

1st 5 miles = 39:43 (7:57 pace)

2nd 5 miles = 38:43 (7:45 pace)

3rd 5 miles = 38:34 (7:43 pace)

Final 4 miles = 29:42 (7:25 pace)

I was especially pleased that I was able to pick up the pace over the last half considering I saved the hills for that part of my run.  There are 5 rather steep, rolling hills that very much resemble the late hills at Boston.

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 07/26/2008
• Time: 06:00:00
• Total Time: 2:26:42.00
• Distance: 19 miles
• Average Pace: 7:43.32/mile

Yesterday I struggled through 9 miles; today was the opposite.  Despite running four straight days (9-10-9-9 miles), my legs felt fresh and rested this morning.  I hate to even bring this up for fear of jinxing myself, but not only am I in my best shape ever, I am also 100% injury free.  Tomorrow I will put that statement to the test when I go 19 miles, ending a 56-mile week over five consecutive days.  Next week I am going to lighten things up a bit, maybe cut back to 40 miles leading up to the Full Moon Four Miler on Saturday night in Waterford.

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 07/25/2008
• Time: 05:00:00
• Total Time: 1:14:00.00
• Distance: 9 miles
• Average Pace: 8:13.15/mile

After a hard run yesterday on what is normally a cross-training day, it was all I could do to break 9-minutes a mile this morning.  My legs just didn’t want to move quickly.

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 07/24/2008
• Time: 05:00:00
• Total Time: 1:19:48.00
• Distance: 9 miles
• Average Pace: 8:51.76/mile

I did my third 10K warm-up this morning as part of a 10-mile total run.  As in the past, I did the course of the first-ever Wind Lake 10K race, which takes place in September.  My first attempt was in 44:41 (7:13 pace); my second try was in 43:05 (6:57); and this morning was 41:11 (6:39).   I will probably do it a few more times before the race and try to get my time under 40 minutes.  My goal for the race is 38 to 39 minutes.  Believe it or not, of the numerous races I have done, I have never entered a 10K so whatever my time is, it will be a PR.

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 07/23/2008
• Time: 05:00:00
• Total Time: 1:13:00.00
• Distance: 10 miles
• Average Pace: 7:17.96/mile

I took a rare day off yesterday, so everything is pushed back a day this week.  Not much to say about my run this morning except that I finally met up with another runner in my neighborhood who is crazy enough to be out running at 5 a.m. every day!

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 07/22/2008
• Time: 05:00:00
• Total Time: 1:15:36.00
• Distance: 9 miles
• Average Pace: 8:24.2/mile

It’s never fun to leave the warmth of your house for an 18-mile run when it is pouring rain outside, but that was the case this morning. Fortunately by Mile 8 it had let up and completely stopped by Mile 12.  And running in the rain beats the snow any day!

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 07/19/2008
• Time: 06:00:00
• Total Time: 2:18:18.00
• Distance: 18 miles
• Average Pace: 7:40.95/mile