Better get used to it

It was hot today! I couldn't get out until almost 2 so it was 82 degrees out. It was good though as I have to get used to running in the heat again so that I can run in the summer. I took water with me and had a pretty good time, despite the heat. It was harder than if it had been cool so I didn't push it too hard, I just went 6 miles. Tomorrow should be cooler and I'm hoping to go in Boulder. Should be fun.

Saturday in the Park

I hit the reservoir trails with Chad this morning for 10 miles or so. It was actually closer to 11, but we walked the last little bit so I'm not going to count that in my total. It was farther than I had thought we were going to go, but it was so nice and we talked ourselves into it. Both of the boys came along in the joggy stroller and were well behaved. Miles slept most of the way and Elijah just watched the sights go by. We also helped out a cyclist who had a flat tire and no repair kit. I usually carry a patch kit and pump so he was able to get fixed up and on the road again. I was happy to help out.

Much Better

I had a much better run today through Bluff Lake. It was shorter and at a slower pace. Ended up being 7 miles or so and took about an hour. I went to give blood today so I'll be a little sluggish over the next couple of days, but that's okay as it's going to be much warmer this weekend. A couple of nice runs at a slow pace will be just the ticket.

They can't all be good

I had a not so nice run today, but that happens sometimes. I went out with Todd and James (Ironman triathlete) and James set a really mean pace right out of the box. We ended up doing the first 4.5 miles in 35 minutes which is about a 7:45 min/mile pace. By the turnaround point though I knew I was done, so I told the others to go on and I would take an easier pace back. It was not an enjoyable return trip, but I managed it, taking 45 minutes to do so. On the plus side the weather was great, sunny and warm the whole time.

Springtime in the Rockies

Yesterday I did 7.5 through trails and I had my shirt off for half of it. Today it's snowing like crazy and we have had several inches accumulate. I heard the radio DJ say today that he hates hearing people say "Well, it is springtime in the rockies!" because it doesn't make it any easier to deal with the fact that he can't ride (i.e. motorcycles). It's like that for me too, except for running. Well at least this won't last as temps on the weekend are supposed to be in the 70's. I guess this should be expected for the winter we've had.

Visitors!

Nana and Grampy arrived today to see Elijah and Miles. Elijah seems to be very happy to have someone else to read to him. I managed to get out for a run this afternoon for 6.5 miles from home and I ran it pretty hard. My first mile was around 7 minutes, which is pretty fast for me. But on the way home the hills and really strong headwind slowed me down a bit. In the end it took me just over 50 minutes to do the distance. Despite the wind it was a great day for running.

If you don't like the weather...

...wait 5 minutes.

It was cloudy and rainy this morning when I got to work, but it was supposed to clear up in the afternoon, so I put off my run until the afternoon. By that time the sun was mostly out and it was 50 degrees, perfect running weather! I did 7 miles which took an hour. Good stuff!

I. C. Weiner

Today was a first for a couple of things. First of all it was a new route for me, a 14 miler around Cherry Creek Reservoir. I've run parts of this route before but never all the way around. It was a great run, I forced myself to go slow in the beginning and I had plenty of gas left in the end to battle the headwind that had developed. Took me about 2 hours to do, but I don't know exactly as I forgot my watch. Oops.


The second first was my ice bath that I had when I got home. Soaking your legs in ice water after a long run is supposed to help keep inflammation down and speed up recovery. I have to say that after the initial shock wore off it was quite nice, a bit like a cold pool on a hot day. And my legs did feel much better afterwards. I guess this is just another rung in the ladder of "crazy runner." Thankfully my understanding wife just rolls her eyes.


For those of you who are marginally interested in running events, tomorrow is the 111th Boston Marathon. Boston is the top of the heap marathon wise and most marathoners set their sights on Boston at some point in their running career. In order to run, runners must qualify at another sanctioned marathon earlier in the year and the qualifications are rigorous. In order for me to qualify for the Boston marathon I would have to run a marathon in 3 hours, 10 minutes. My best hope is to keep running until I am 70 when the qualifying time is 4:30.

Weather Changes

I got to work this morning and it was sunny and cool, but by the time I went for my run at 11:30 it had clouded over and was pretty windy. Over the course of our 9 mile run the clouds got lower and lower and the wind stronger. Finally, a mile and a half from the end the flakes started flying. Over the course of the next day we are due to get a foot of heavy wet snow! So likely no running outside tomorrow. It's probably for the best as my knee has been acting up lately. So yet another blizzard of '07, but at least this one the snow won't last long. We are due to be in the 50's on Saturday.

Birthday Miles

It's been windy the past couple of days and work has been busy so it's been tough to get my miles in. Yesterday I squeezed in 3 miles before dinner, and today I hit the trails with Todd and Jake for 7. That on top of going to the pool this morning. So when Melissa came to take me out for ice cream I figured I had earned it. It was a great birthday, thanks to all those who sent along well wishes!


While I was in Boulder yesterday I popped in to the Bolder Boulder store at the 29th street mall to register. It was really easy and they were able to give me my bib and everything right up front. I will be running in the "CA" wave, with a projected finish time of less than 49 minutes. Now I just have to live up to my wave placement. This year they are offering the choice of a Technical t-shirt as part of the registration for $10 more than the regular t-shirt. It's a really nice blue Pearl Izumi shirt that I can actually wear for running. I figure if I were to buy the shirt alone it would cost $30, so really my registration is only $15 for the race. It will be nice to have one I can use as I have too many long sleeve race shirts that I will never wear.

Rest Day

Yesterday I did a fairly long run (8.5 miles), so I ended up taking a rest day today instead of running. It's good to mix it up every once in a while. It's too bad though as the weather today was awesome, while yesterday it was snowy and cold. I guess you win some you lose some. I might try to hit a trail in Boulder tomorrow, we'll see I guess.

Chilly!

It turned out to be flippin' cold today (in the 20s) and foolishly I did not bring my running pants or gloves with me. So my legs and hands were a little cold for the start, but once I warmed up it was not too bad. I did 7.5 miles and considered it a victory just to have got out at all. Tomorrow is due to be cold and snowy so most likely I will not run, but Sunday is supposed to be better. It's April weather, so it's to be expected.

Offroading

Today I got out for a nice 7.5 mile run with Todd (ultra-man). He set out at a mean pace which, amazingly, I was able to keep up for quite a while. Right around the halfway point we decided to hit some of the off-trail trails for about a mile. This mostly involved running through deep sand, bounding over creeks and dodging branches. It was kind of fun in a masochistic kind of way, and it really got me breathing hard. We took it a little easier for the return trip, which I was thankful for. I really like running with Todd as I find that keeping up with him shows me how much I can actually do that I think I can't. Sometimes you just need someone to push you out of your comfort zone.

Company Again

I had company again for my run today after a few days on my own. Ultra-man was recovering from an illness so the pace wasn't as fast as it could have been. That was good as I was still a little stiff from my hard run yesterday. Tomorrow I will likely not get to run as there is a seminar at noon, but I will go for a swim in the morning I think.

Why I like running

Today was crazy busy! I had five million errands to run on top of fixing a major computer problem and filling my cryogens. It was insane! But I was determined to squeeze in a run so I managed to put in 6 miles. Unlike the rest of my day my run was relaxing and therapeutic. It was just me and my thoughts and I didn't spend any time thinking about all of the things that I had to do. Escape. In another escape, I took both of the boys in the joggy stroller yesterday for 6.5 miles so that Melissa could escape. An hour away from the kids is like gold these days. It was Miles' first time in the stroller and he did great, sleeping pretty much the whole way. Watching the world pass you by is pretty boring I suppose.