I just felt like running

refuge loop from home

lunch run

treadmill run,  did one mile at 10mph,  after warmup, I was mostly in 6:30-7:20 territory.

I got all bundled up for a night run at 8pm.   My congested lungs complained the second they hit the 30F air.  I made it half way down the driveway, stopped, and headed back inside.

We had an exhausting last couple days with our son in the hospital for tests.  He was a real trooper- more than I can say for his dad.  We got back home in the late morning.  Liza ran off to her doctor to look at her cute sinus infection.  Diagnosis was an acute sinus infection which she has been fighting for 8 days.  I'd have liked it better if it was cute.  I may have wanted to keep it around for awhile longer.

Anyway, Elliott and I were home for an hour before I was to head to work for a 1/2 day.  We headed out for a jog.  This was our first in awhile since he's either had a cold, its been dark, or its been too cold.   He is always so relaxed in the stroller and this was no exception.  We made a nice tour around the neighborhood and made decent time for stroller pushing - 8:37/mile. 

I learn by experience.  Something has to happen to me once (or several times) before I believe.  Most of my running "rules" stem from some bad experience in a long run or race.  These are "rules" that are I'm sure are all in 100 books but I need to try and fail before it sinks in.   A couple that come to mind:   1) Don't drink all-you-can drink diet cokes the night before a race (Grandma's Marathon 1991)  2) Don't wear cotton socks in a marathon (Chicago 1999)  3) Do bring an extra pair of underwear to Junior High away trackmeets (Antigo,WI 1986)  4) Don't put 5 Gu's in the back pocket of your racing short without wearing a jock strap (Rocket City Marathon 2005)   5) Don't eat cabbage salad the day before a long run (Mtn Masochist training run in Eva with Jon)  6) Do skip a 50K trail race if 3 days before you are shaking and shivering in bed with a fever and the flu (Mtn Mist 2004) .    The list could go on and on.   The common thread is that they all evoke a very vivid memory and lesson that most of the time I heed.  #1,#2,#4, and #5 were all lessons learned on first experiment.

Now for today's lesson .  Our family life is pretty hectic- a 5 year old and a young son with health issues.  This makes it challenging to fit in runs, especially long ones.  What I like to do is to tell my wife,  I'd like to run 3 hours when would you like me to do it?    It wasn't until we were sitting down for lunch that we finalized the plan.   On this Saturday, my long run will start in 2 hours.   So what would be the ideal thing to eat before a long run with little notice:  a banana, clif bar, small turkey sandwich, soup?  Those sound intelligent now but I chose to have two huge helpings of week old chicken lasagna and then a couple heaping spoonfuls of peanut butter with chocolate chips mixed in.   When I hit the road at 2, I was feeling fine for the first 3 miles then my digestive system started to complain big time.  I won't go into great detail but this run did test my encyclopedic knowledge of Decatur public and semipublic restrooms.  The low point was when I found a porta-potty at the marina, sat down, and then got huge splashback from below. That will wake you up.  The best I could hope for for a blue stained rear end.  That was a new one for me.  I kept moving though and got in 18 miles in 2:55 (including all the stops).  The bright spot is my legs felt fine.

Treadmill run.  Hard rain outside.   I got drenched just running to the car.   The treadmill belt got really wet from my dripping on it.   Luckily , no fall.  That would have been funny.   I ran pretty hard- mostly sub 7 minute pace. 

Had a hectic day at work and missed my lunch run.  Before I went home, I ran the treadmill a little.  Did one mile at 6 minute pace.  It felt good and made me think I could run a decent time at Winterwinds.

Starting from Grissom High school in Huntsville, this race is always a fun one.  It was the fastest my legs have moved since the Frosty Freeze back in December.  I was hoping to set two PR's and I succeeded.  It sounds more impressive than it actually was as I this was only my third time racing a USATF certified 2 miler and second on a 4 mile.    

The 2 mile distance is a nice change from a 5K.  The hurt doesn't normally start until about the mile mark and with this distance the finish is almost there at that point.

My four mile time was 23:58 which was good for 1st in my age group.  I was in serious pain at the end.  They started this race about 20 minutes after I finished the 2 miler .

David Riddle set an overall Alabama state record in the road two mile - 9:46.  I'm sure that is a far cry from the track 2 mile record but a record is a record.

Three laps around the road loop at work.    After a warm-up mile, all miles were right at 7min/mile.  6:40 on the 5th mile.  Felt good.  Just a little tight from yesterday's race.

Took it easy today.

With race tomorrow, I took it easy today.   I have realized one unexpected side effect of me losing 20 pounds over the past three months.  I typically wear a NATHAN sports waist pack to hold Gu's, phone, iPod, etc...   Worn it for almost 3 years and its worked great.   Recently I noticed it starts to ride up on my torso- moving from my waist up to where it eventually is well above my belly button.  There is jumps around and rotates and is generally annoying.  Every 1/2 mile or so , I move it down , try to tighten it, only to have to continue to repeat.     I realized that my "love handles" on my stomach have disappeared .  They were large enough to provide a barrier to prevent the pack from riding up.

Today I tried a solution which worked pretty well.  I safety pinned on side of the pack to the waist band of my shorts.  Dorky but effective.    I'm OK with that since alot of things about me are "Dorky but effective" 

pretty eventful day - almost throwing right before the start, teeth chattering cold,   nice scenery, multiple water crossings,  3 mile stretch through active forest fire, one large tree fully engulfed in flames ready to fall, lots of smoke,  only one fall,   chest congestion, thoughts of dropping out,  nose running light a faucet, half strength gatorade,  low electrolyte levels, lots of horse induced muddy slop,    one lost toe nail,  strong winds, great support from friends,  tingly hands, Gu on eyebrow, kept moving, great hot chocolate and red beans and rice,   only 5 minutes off my PR,    time for traditional post-race chocolate milk shake

Really stressed.  Run helped.

Down in Birmingham for Elliott's surgery.  He was in the special care unit which doesn't allow visitors from 2 - 4:30pm.  I fit in a run in Mountain Brook,AL.  I followed the first runner I saw (which I had to admit to my wife was a female with minimal clothing who was trotting along at around 7:30 pace).  She guided me to the Jemison park trail and then I passed her.  The trail was great.  Curvy trail along part of the Cahaba River .  Some paved, some dirt.  Just great.   Climbed a hill and went past the Mountain Brook Club where I got a glance of some tennis and golf being played.   Birmingham is really hilly!

Further proof that treadmills are evil.  Downpouring.  Hampton Inn Treadmill.  Pretty rickety.  Only could go 6mph.  Ramped up the elevation.  8%, 10%, 12%, 15%....  Hard at 5.5 mph.  Dripping sweat with ipod blaring.    Injured my plantar.  Hopefully not seriously.

Still in B'ham.  Nice loop. Thought I was touring the country.  Lakeshore Drive (Chicago?) along Cahaba.  Past Samford.  Up Green Springs Highway.   To Broadway Dr. (New York?).  Oxmoor Rd (sounds english) through Homewood and then finishing on Hollywood Drive (California)?).  Had a great time.   Really should have rested my foot.