My Better Me than You Log

[twinsavsvikingsfan]

27JUN08

scheduled: 5 mile recovery run

actual: 5.2 miles
49:21 (9:29 avg pace)

boring
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28JUN08

scheduled: 17 mile long run

actual: 17.45 miles
2:31:27 (8:41 avg pace)

humbling

[twinsavsvikingsfan]

I had 45.31 miles this week. That is my highest mileage week since the week of April 16, 2007. In fact, I had two whole months in that time frame that I didn't run that much. What have I been doing for the past year?

As you can see, my long run on Saturday was a bust. I decided to sleep in and didn't hit the road until 9:00 AM. Much too late. The sun came out after an hour and I was toast. I was ready to cash it in after 10 miles. I had been feeling pretty cocky after that very successful 16 miler the previous weekend. Of course, it was cooler that day and it was run on an entirely flat course. I ran as my volunteer time at an American Cancer Society Relay For Life event. This Saturday was out in the farmland on some pretty hilly roads. Oh, well. I'm still only 3 weeks into training and already doing a 17 miler. Long ways to go yet.

[twinsavsvikingsfan]

30JUN08

scheduled: 10 miles w/ 4 LT

actual:

9.93 miles
1:18:32 (7:55 avg pace)

splits:

2.67 miles 22:12 (8:19) warmup (I could still feel the fatigue in my legs from Saturday.)
4.07 miles 30:05 (7:23)
3.19 miles 26:14 (8:13) cooldown

Well, that 4 miles tempo was all I had. I've had two rough runs in a row. Maybe I should take a day off instead of doing a 5 mile recovery run tomorrow. I hope this is just because my body is trying to get used to the mileage again.

[BamaDave]

Hey Jim,

Looks like you are back on track with the miles! I'm sure the time will fall right off of those long runs. Summer temps take a toll. I felt horrible running 6.45 yesterday. LOL!

[twinsavsvikingsfan]

Originally Posted by BamaDave

Hey Jim,

Looks like you are back on track with the miles! I'm sure the time will fall right off of those long runs. Summer temps take a toll. I felt horrible running 6.45 yesterday. LOL!

Hey stranger!


We've actually had a pretty tolerable summer thus far. I just hope it continues. It's good to hear you've found some time to get a few miles in. Last I read in your log, you were busier than even I've been.


In the interest of trying to stay honest here, yesterday's scheduled run should have been 10 miles w/ 5 LT, not 10 miles w/ 4 LT. That is why I was a bit bummed about the run. As for today, I think I'll try to squeeze in that recovery 5 miler tonight. I'm slammed at work, have a PT appointment this afternoon, and need to get a bunch of other stuff done before Asia gets here next week. So, it'll be run pretty late tonight!

[BamaDave]

Originally Posted by twinsavsvikingsfan

In the interest of trying to stay honest here, yesterday's scheduled run should have been 10 miles w/ 5 LT, not 10 miles w/ 4 LT. That is why I was a bit bummed about the run.

At least you haven't lost your anal retentiveness!

[twinsavsvikingsfan]

Originally Posted by BamaDave

At least you haven't lost your anal retentiveness!

And 6 months interning at the accounting firm has only refined it!
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01JUL08

scheduled: 5 mile recovery run

actual: 5.1 miles
42:36 (8:21 avg pace)
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Even though they really worked me over at the PT today I felt pretty good. Hopefully I'll feel good for 10 tomorrow.

[RacerBill]

How's the PT coming along? With all the running it sounds like things are improving.

[twinsavsvikingsfan]

Man, it's been soooo crazy busy lately. Even more than usual! Bill, my PT is going well. Right now I'm in the middle of a two week stretch of not going to determine if the exercise program I'm doing is effective. Of course, it would be even more effective if I did the exercises at least semi-regularly. Last week was my highest mileage week in a very long time- about 48 miles. This week is a cutback week, and I needed it. I've been tired all the time, my left knee is bothering me, and my hamstring issue seems to be flaring up again. Plus, things really picked up at work. I had to get a bunch of projects out fast. And, drumroll, please.....Asia got into town this past Wednesday.

---

So my workouts:

02JUL08

scheduled: 10 miles easy

actual: 10.2 miles
1:24:28 (8:17 avg pace)

I don't even remember doing this run.
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04JULY08

scheduled: 5 mile recovery run

actual: 4.54 miles
untimed

I ran this barefoot on the beach in Arcadia, MI. It was early morning, and I had a great view of the sunrise, Lake Michigan (which was dead calm), and the Arcadia Bluffs that overlook the lake. Beautiful.
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05JUL08

scheduled: 18 mile long run

actual: 18.22
2:42:23 (8:55 avg pace)

This went well. It was very slow, but I knew I had to take it easy after blowing up on the long run the week before, plus I had been out very late the night before, drinking some beers and shooting off fireworks. The route was generally rolling, though it had two massive, long, steep hills in it that really slowed me down. A good sign was that I had a 6 minute negative split, and the second half included going up the nastier of the two hills.
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07JUL08

scheduled: 8 mile easy run

actual: 5.25 miles
40:06 (7:38 avg pace)

Bailed on this. Just wasn't feeling it. I think it's because I pushed a little too hard. Oh, well-it's an easy week.
---

08JUL08

scheduled: 5 mile recovery run

actual: ~3.4 miles on the trail

Very easy, shorted myself again.
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10JUL08

scheduled: 8 miles easy

actual: 7.95 miles
1:07:57 (8:33 avg pace)

Uh-oh. This was tough. Why am I putting out the same effort but running slower? I know the answer to this. I definitely need this rest week.
---

So, things will get a bit complicated, trying to work, train, and be a single parent for the next two months. We also have a lot of fun adventures planned. This will be a great summer. On Asia's first full day back in Michigan, we went to Comerica Park in Detroit and watched the Twins beat the Tigers in 11. It was an awesome experiance for her first major league baseball game. Another cool coincidence: her first game was 25 years to the day after my first.

[twinsavsvikingsfan]

12JUL08

scheduled: 13 mile run

actual: 11.32 miles
1:37:03 (8:34 avg pace) I suck.
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The only thing that outshines my weakness, is my ignorance. I opted to not run in the rain and waited til noon to start when it was sunny, in the mid-80s and about 80% humidity. I crashed and burned and even had to walk a couple times for about 5 minutes. No, I didn't bring water either.

shit.

[twinsavsvikingsfan]

14JUL08

scheduled: 10 miles w/5 LT

actual: 9.83 miles w/5.08 LT
1:19:11 (8:03 avg pace)

splits:

3.81 miles 33:26 (8:47)
5.08 miles 37:33 (7:24)
0.94 miles 8:11 (8:42)
---

Absolutely dead legs. I suck.

[twinsavsvikingsfan]

15JUL08

scheduled: 5 mile recovery run

actual: 5.1 miles
40:20 (7:55 avg pace)

Sheesh. I can't even run a recovery run at the right pace.
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16JUL08

scheduled: 11 mile run

actual: 11.18 miles
1:28:32 (7:55 avg pace)

Now this was the first 'good' run I've had in ages. There's also something to be sad for running in the cool morning- except it makes getting in to work early a lot more difficult.

[GG300]

Sheesh. I can't even run a recovery run at the right pace.
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Yeah it sucks being you. Nice picture of you with Asia, enjoy the rest of her visit.

[twinsavsvikingsfan]

Thanks, Gregg. You going to around the first weekend of August? We're going to be there either that Thursday-Monday or Friday-Tuesday, depending on work.

[BamaDave]

Hey, an 11 miler before work! I remember those days. Looks like you're going to have a very high mileage week.

Good to see Asia there! Did you plan the 25th anniversary date for Asia's first baseball game, or was that a coincidence?

[twinsavsvikingsfan]

Dave, the original intent was for the game to be a guy's day. When I got the tickets way back in February, I knew the significance of the date. When two of my buddies had to cancel and Asia got into town a couple weeks earlier than expected, I just knew it was meant for her to go.

18JUL08

scheduled: 5 mile recovery run

actual: none

Decided to sleep in and hit up the regular Friday morning breakfast with some guys from work.
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19JUL08

scheduled: 17 miles long run

actual: total for the day 17.32 miles

14.21 mile medium long run
1:53:32 (7:59 avg pace)

Run Thru Sparta 5K
32:16 (10:23 avg pace)

In order to run with Asia for her very first race and get in all my miles, I got up at 4:30 and did the 14 miler. It was fantastic. I felt great- very strong. I would have been very comfortable doing several more miles. The race was so much fun and Asia kicked ass!!! I am so proud of her. I hope we get to do many more races together.
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20JUL08

scheduled: rest

actual: 4.2 miles recovery
untimed

Feeling a bit sluggish after a night at the beer tent. Weekly total: 47.63 miles