Weekend recap

My runs this weekend were both very enjoyable. 4 miles on Saturday, and 7 miles on Sunday. 4 miles is starting to feel like less and less of a run, and I kept up a 8.5 min/mile pace over the whole thing and still felt great at the end. My 7 miles yesterday were awesome as well. Last week I ran my 6 mile route backwards so that the majority of the hills would be on the first half of my run. Yesterday I took the usual "forward" route and left the big hill for the end, followed by a nice little downhill cooldown. It worked out really well and I was able to average a 9 min/mile pace without getting too winded. I think this bodes well for the rest of my training. This week is 4 miles, 6 miles and 8 miles on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. For the 8 mile run on Sunday I'm thinking about going out to the Aurora Reservoir, which has an 8 mile loop around it. It might be nice to have a flat route for a change. Weather was great this weekend, with highs in the 60s. I was out in my shorts and t-shirt and we even got out for a family walk. I'm looking forward to doing that more in the spring and summer.

On the go!

I didn't get a chance to post yesterday as I was on the go all day. Yesterday was supposed to be quiet! Oh well, I still was able to squeeze in my hour run, which was very pleasant. I confirmed that my pace was too fast by going a little slower at the start. I covered more distance than last week in the same time, and my split was almost exactly even. I could have run in shorts and a T-shirt, but I brought my jacket just in case and ended up regretting it. Quite a difference from a week ago, but that's Colorado weather for you. Looks like we'll be busy again tonight, but I am looking forward to a nice relaxing weekend.

4 miles plus 4 minutes of hills

I had to go to Boulder today for a meeting and I didn't get to go for my run until 3. It was nice though, still not shorts weather, but well into the 40s. My pace was a little fast for the start so the hills kicked my a$$ again. I wish I had a better scale for the distances I run at work, either I was much faster than last week, or I'm not recovering enough in between my runs. I guess the solution to both is to go a little slower. I think it's mostly the pace of the 4 mile runs, I'm at work, I'm a little wound up, I think "hey, it's only 4 miles" and it all results in me going too quickly. Well that'll learn me!


I forgot to mention that I bought new socks for running. The arch support on my new running shoes means that a much larger portion of my arch now touches the insole. Over my long runs this has led to a blister the size of a couple of quarters on my arch. It's not that bad as there is not so much pressure on that part of my foot, just rubbing. But after my run on Sunday I was fed up. Cotton socks just hold the moisture next to your foot, which for an hour long run means that 8 oz of sweat are between your foot and your shoe. This means that by the end of an hour long run it feels like you have lined your shoes with sandpaper. The socks I bought are meant to wick the moisture away from the foot so there is not as much chafing. Today they felt really good, and my foot was not overly wet when I was done. Thursday will be the real test. The weird thing is that they are ankle socks, which I have never worn before. It feels very strange having my ankle all exposed like that, what will the neighbors think!?!

Happy Birthday Zelda!

Here's to 20 years of innovation!

Still cold...

...but not as cold as yesterday. It was 6 miles today, but my route ended up taking me 6.8. This weeks workouts are the same as last week. I think the pace was good this week so I'll try to keep it about the same. One week down, 15 to go.

Winter Blast

We've had really cold weather lately. It got cold on Thursday, really cold on Friday, and stayed really cold today. It was 6 degrees for my run today. But Thursday and today were sunny so it wasn't so bad for a run. Today was 4 miles, and was really pretty with the steam rising off the asphalt. The only part of me that got cold was my thighs. Tomorrow it's a 6 mile run and it is still supposed to be cold, but not as bad as yesterday. It's nice to be able to unwind with a morning run on the weekend.

Day 4

Today was an hour run. Unfortunately the weather has taken a turn for the worst so I had to bundle up a bit. It's 17 degrees out, so if the wind had been up I would have skipped it, but the sun came out, so in the end it was quite a pleasant run. It's supposed to stay cold over the weekend too, so my Saturday/Sunday runs will be less pleasant than usual, but having conquered today, I should be able to tough it out. I can't complain too much, it was 55 degrees on Tuesday for my last run and it is February after all.


I finally got my confirmation from the Rock n' Roll Marathon, so it's official. San Diego, here I come!

Day 1 (well Day 2 technically)

Today was my first run of my training program, yesterday was a rest day. It was a 4 mile run with 4 minutes total uphill time. I ran out to Bluff lake, but did not do the circuit of the lake. Instead I ran up and down the hills there a few times to make up my 4 minutes. Worked out pretty well actually, but I could tell that I had run more hills today than usual. They say no pain no gain and they are half right. The pain is half the equation, but thankfully the recovery tomorrow is the other half. I'll sleep well tonight!

I'm Scooter!

You Are Scooter

Brainy and knowledgable, you are the perfect sidekick. You're always willing to lend a helping hand. In any big event or party, you're the one who keeps things going. "15 seconds to showtime!"

The Muppet Personality Test

Sunny Days

I've had great weather for both of my runs this weekend. Yesterday was cold, but with the sun I hardly noticed it. Today I went out expecting it to be just as cold, but ended up being too hot with my jacket and pants on. I took the same route both days, 5 miles long. Yesterday I was slowed a little by icy sidewalks and it took me 47 minutes, but with the nice weather today I was able to shave 2 minutes off that time today. So my total mileage for the week is 20 miles, and I'm in good shape to start training this week. 16 weeks to San Diego!

Time to blog

It's been a few days now and I haven't had time to blog. Work has been busy and the last thing I've wanted to do when I got home was be on the computer. My runs have been good this week though. 5 miles around Bluff Lake on Tuesday and Thursday, but at my 9 min/mile pace. I was surprised at how my lungs were able to keep up with the faster pace over that distance. Even with the faster run I was still able to enjoy the local wildlife, with the eagle and deer making appearances on both days. On Tuesday I was less than 20 feet away from the deer. Hopefully the weather will improve a bit for the weekend, it got cold today and the first flakes of snow are falling now. I'm not looking forward to shoveling the driveway tomorrow.

The Big Game

Today is the Big Game and I'm excited to see it on our big TV with all our friends. It will be a great cap to a great weekend. Friday night we had some friends over for dinner and ended up talking and playing games until 11:30. Then yesterday we took a little trip to home depot to buy a floodlight for our back patio, a must for grilling in the dark. I had fun installing that, and for once I picked a gorgeous day to work outside.


I had two good runs this weekend, but no wildlife to speak of. I was out for an hour yesterday for 6 miles. As I said it was gorgeous, so I was able to run in just a T-shirt and shorts. It was great! Then today I ran down to the track at the local high school for some intervals. Unfortunately today it is windy and cold, and I needed my jacket. I should have taken my pants too instead of shorts as my legs got really cold. The track was nice as I was able to get a better idea of the pace I need to hit for my training runs. I ran a couple of loops at 10 minute per mile pace, then did a couple of 9 min/mile circuits followed by easy jogs around, then an 8 min/mile loop/easy jog and another 9 min/mile loop/easy jog. Then it was back home. The whole run took me 50 minutes, and was a really intense workout. While my distance has improved over the last year my pace has declined and I was surprised at the effort required to hit my target 9 min/mile. But that's what training is for I guess.


The highlight of the weekend was a guys night out last night, with a friendly poker game. We had a blast and were at it until almost midnight. I spent the last week preparing for it the best I could, reading through my poker book and playing a few hands against the computer. The practice ended up paying off as I ended up being able to hold my own and was actually one of the final two at the table!


Well, gotta go get ready for the party. Go Steelers!

Deer John,

Great run today, the wind held off for me until after I got back. Sam the eagle was back again today, but the star of the show was a herd of whitetail deer just on the other side of the pond from me. It was a 45 minute run around Bluff lake again, although it was interrupted by a phone call. I think the hardest part of this job is never being able to be away from the phone. Oh well, that's what vacations are for. I was really busy at work today, and I barely had time to go out, but in the end I was glad to have gone.