Whole lotta miles!

Well with today's long run I broke 200 miles for the month of June. I'll break 800 miles for the year early next week! Today's run was really good. I did my 14 mile loop and bested my last time by 2 minutes (2:05:49). I really enjoy that route, but I'm looking forward to running in California in a week. Variety is the spice of life after all and when you are logging 50 miles a week a few new routes wouldn't hurt.

But it's a school night!

We watched "The Prestige" last night even though we aren't usually up for much at night any more. When you are tired at 9:30 and the kids don't go to bed until 8 it's hard to fit movies in on any night, much less weeknights. Still it was an engaging movie and it kept our interest throughout. I found that at times it was hard to follow with all the jumping around, but maybe that's because I was tired. Needless to say I feel like it was missing something, so I should probably try reading the book. I realize now though that movies on work nights are not a good idea, as I did not sleep very well. Elijah slept without the gate last night so I was up half the night thinking that I was hearing him up wandering around. It was worth it in the end though to see the look on his face when he came downstairs on his own in the morning.

Round and Round

I hit the track this morning for a 5x1000m workout. I was shooting for 5K race pace, which should have been about 4:43 for each 1000m, but I ended up hitting much lower than that. My first 1000m was 3:56 and let me say I am far from a sub 20 min 5K. Needless to say the rest of the repeats were much slower in 4:15, 4:16, 4:26 and 4:30. It was pretty hard, but you don't get faster by running slow.

Down and Up

Yesterday I did run, but it was just 6 easy miles so I didn't really have anything to say about it. I'm probably going to start writing only occasionally about my runs as I have started using an online training log that works better than this blog. Unfortunately, it doesn't have all of my previous miles for the year logged, so I'll keep updating the running total (all puns intended) on the right.


Today is my long run day and I must admit I was not convinced I was going to complete the 16 miles I had set out to do. As half the game is always mental this meant I was behind from the start. I feel like this has been a hard week for me as I haven't really caught up after the hard workout on the Mesa Trail on Tuesday. But I figured I would go through the motions and see where I got to. Preparation begins the night before, and I made sure to carb up and keep hydrated before bed. I also laid out all of my running stuff so that it would be ready to go in the morning. This makes it easier to get up at 5, knowing that I just have to roll out of bed and I am practically out the door.


Five o'clock came and I was pretty much awake already. I got up and had a bowl of granola before sunscreening up and getting dressed. I was at the trail head by 6:20. I started the run feeling pretty good and got my first 4 miles done on pace (about 9:15). I kept at it but at around 5.5 miles my legs were starting to feel pretty tired. As I headed down the backside of the dam I calculated my pace again and somehow managed to figure out that I was 5 minutes behind! I was unhappy that I had slowed so much but still I kept going knowing that I would take an energy gel at 8.5 miles that would help out a bit. When I stopped to take the gel I discovered that my key had put a hole in the package and it was leaking all over the pocket in my shorts. I was just about ready to call it the worst run ever. As I headed up the big climb to the top of the dam I started feeling much better. The shot of energy and caffeine was really boosting my spirits and by the time I crested the dam I was ready to bring it on home. My legs still felt tired, but I was there mentally and I knew my training would get me through the rest of the run. By the time I hit 3 miles to go I was ready to kick it up, and I finished the last 2 miles in 8:00, and 7:39. A strong finish to a tough run. Overall it took 2 hours 24 minutes to do the 16 miles, averaging a pace of 9:00, and I can't figure out where that extra 5 minutes came from.

Another Early Morning

I was up at 5 again this morning to do a tempo run from home before work. I knew it would be too hot to get a good workout later in the day. I warmed up for a mile, then did a 5.5 mile loop at tempo pace (ended up being 7:48) and finished up with a mile cool down. With all the hills in our neighborhood though I feel like it was a double workout. Tomorrow will be an easy day, as I prepare for the long run on Saturday. I am hoping to do 16 on Saturday, but we'll see how I feel when the time comes.

Tired Legs

It's been getting really hot lately so I've been trying to get out earlier for my runs. Today I went out at 9 and it was still pretty warm. I was feeling the temperature for sure, although I could have still been seeing the effects of yesterday's trail run. I did not really feel like I was breathing harder but my legs just felt heavy. No aches and pains though, which I think is pretty impressive considering the beating I gave them yesterday. I'm thinking about going out before I leave for work tomorrow as then I am guaranteed cooler temperatures. We'll see how I feel tonight I guess.

I love trail running?

Was that a question? I hit the Mesa trail hard today and succeeded in kicking my own ass all up and down the Flatirons. I felt like I didn't really work hard enough for my track workout yesterday I guess. It was fun though and the time really flies when you are out there. I went approximately 6 miles and it took me 1 hour 14 minutes. That shows you how much the hills affect pace. Todd can do that sort of thing and still push 8 minute miles, I don't even know how he maintains control. I guess practice makes perfect.

Sunrise

I was up at 5 for my run this morning due to my schedule during the day. I hit the track at the local high school for some 800m repeats. Totaled 7.5 miles, but not all of that was speedwork. I got to see the sunrise, which was beautiful, and was back with enough time to get out the door on time for work. Not something I'd like to do everyday but you do what you have to sometimes.


The weekend was great and I spent Father's day hanging out with the kids. Miles seemed to be into golf this weekend so we watched part of the U.S. Open together. Not my idea of riveting action, but hanging out with your son makes it easier.

Out with the boys

That phrase means something completely different than it used to. Miles and Elijah and I all went out for a run this morning. We hit the Cherry Creek reservoir for 12 miles. Miles slept the whole time I think, and Elijah had fun saying "Hi" to all the other runners and cyclists on the trail. We got out early and were done before it got too hot. It's definitely harder with the joggy stroller.

Nice and easy

Did an easy 6 miles today around Bluff Lake. The weather was great, not too hot with lots of sun. I'll be doing my long run early tomorrow to beat the heat though. It's supposed to be in the 90s all weekend! With Father's day on Sunday, I'm guessing I'll be hauling out the charcoal grill for a cookout, and making pancakes. Yum!

Perfect Temp!

Today was awesome weather and we had decided to go for a longer run. We ended up going a little over 10 miles in 90 minutes and had a blast. Tomorrow is supposed to be even nicer, although the temps are coming up steadily. I will have to do my long run early on Saturday for sure.

The Itch

I've got the marathon itch bad! I'm seriously considering running in the Denver Marathon this year in October. I feel like my training is at a level where I'll be able to improve on my previous result, and I think it will be fun to support my "hometown." We'll see how the training goes this summer I suppose, although I'll have to commit at some point. Today I did 7.5 and enjoyed a nice pace for it. Tomorrow the idea is to go a little longer.

It's not so much the heat, it's the humidity

Today a cold front blew in with scattered showers. Even though there was no rain for my run the humidity was way up there and despite temps in the 60s it felt much warmer. I did 7.5 miles around Bluff Lake, doing 8 minute mile tempo for the first 30 minutes and a slower pace for the rest. This afternoon the real rain hit so it's going to be a pretty wet evening, but clearing for tomorrow.

Hot Hot Hot

Today was a hot one, with temps getting up into the 90s. I did my run earlier to beat the heat a little, but it was still in the 80s. It was good though, just had to take it a little slow toward the end. We did 7.5, with a brief jaunt through the trails. We couldn't take the full trail as the stream was pretty high and we could not jump over. Well, that happens I guess.

I was in a triathalon!

Well not really. I did my long run this morning in Cherry Creek State Park and part of my run happened to be a section of the run leg of a triathalon. Fortunately, I was a little ahead of the lead pack so it didn't get too busy on my side of the trail. I ended up doing 14 miles at a perfect long run pace. The whole thing took me 2 hours and 8 minutes, so averaging 9.14 minutes per mile. I had plenty of gas left at the end though and my last 2.5 miles were 8 minute miles. I love that loop, it is perfect length and has some amazing views along the way.

Visitors!

We have visitors from California this weekend so things are pretty exciting around the house. Elijah is happy to have the attention for sure. I had to work and go to the dentist, but I still managed to get in a nice 7.5 miles around Bluff Lake. The lake is really full, which shows how much rain we've had this year. I plan to get in a nice long run tomorrow morning before things get busy, should be fun.

What a difference 20 degrees makes

Yesterday was windy and hot, today was windy and cool. I ran the same 8 mile route as yesterday and it took 2 minutes less than yesterday with less effort. I'm feeling great this week and am happy to be getting my milage back to my training level. I don't know what I'm training for yet, but I'll be ready when I do.

Claritin's my friend

I took a Claritin last night after dinner and today I was reaping the benefits. Despite being incredibly windy and dusty for my run today I had no problem with allergies and for the first day in a month my throat was not itchy. I'm a believer! Despite the wind, today was a really fun run. We were pushing each other on the hills and sprinting to the finish! 8 miles today through the sandy trails.

Stupid Seeds

We did 9 miles today, and with the heat I have to admit it was pretty rough. Plus, to make matters worse all the trees and grass in the area seem to be on some sort of mating spree, and we were dodging fluffies and pollen clouds the whole time. After we were done I had a major allergic reaction, which I am still recovering from. Still it was the longest I've run in a few weeks and it felt good to get out for that long again.

Back at it

After a weekend off (I was digging a trench all day yesterday) I got back into it today with a nice 7.5 miles. It only took me an hour, even though it was late afternoon and it was pretty hot. Tomorrow I hope to get to it earlier in the day when it's cooler.

Boulder Run

I hit the Boulder Creek path yesterday morning for an easy 6 miles before I did the work thing. It was nice, but I ended up making a wrong turn at some point and got a little frustrated trying to find my way. Today was a rest day, and I really enjoyed putting my feet up for a little while. I'll see how I feel tomorrow, but I might try to do a longer run to kick off the week.