a perfect 10?

It has been a nice long weekend and the weather has been just spectacular! I took the day off yesterday, and no, it wasn't to go marathon shopping. I took it easy and got a few things accomplished at home, such as raking the leaves and mowing for the last time this year. Today I will get the lights out.

I slept in this morning and decided when I woke up to go for a nice easy long run. It was time. I shuffled around slowly, then decided to get ready and get out there. I caught the weather forecast on the TV and it is getting into the upper 50's today. How could I pass this up? Another stellar day! I had in my mind that I wanted a decent long run - not 6 or 7, but perhaps 10? It seemed a bit ambitious, but I thought I would set a route that would allow me to bail out if it got tough out there.

I went to Fort Harrison State Park and ran from there, out the back to my usual Fall Creek Trail route. I went out 3.5 miles and turned around and came back to the truck. I was feeling incredible! I grabbed some water and decided to run the loop trail in the park next (about 2.5+ miles). I put the earbuds back in my ears and took off. I couldn't believe how I was feeling. The plan was to run slow and steady and just enjoy the day and boy did I. I made it up the hills and curved around the top of the loop trail on the flat part and then began a slow decent back down. I got done in 87:46 -- an 8:45/mile average pace!?!? What happened to slow and steady?!? I felt like I could keep going -- and part of me wanted to, but I didn't want to ruin a good thing -- ten miles was awesome.

This was my runner's high for the year, I think. It was just an incredible run. It was the kind of run that I usually only read about, but have experienced it on a few occasions. Here are my splits if interested -- I actually got the steady part right...

• Mile 1: 8:55
• Mile 2: 8:54
• Mile 3: 9:00
• Mile 4: 8:56
• Mile 5: 8:39
• Mile 6: 8:24
• Mile 7: 8:28
• Mile 8: 9:02 (hills)
• Mile 9: 8:52
• Mile 10: 8:16 (easy - mostly down hill)

happy thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today was the day for my race - the Drumstick Dash, a 4.5 mile run. I ran it for the first time last year and had a good time (and I PR'd with a pace of a sub-8:00/mile). I was looking to find some more speed again this year - especially since I have been improving all of my times in the last year.

Well... the streak has been broken. I did do pretty well -- 36:02 overall - 8:00/mile pace - about 16 seconds slower overall from last year...

It was a little disappointing, but I had a great time. A great set-up and a great cause. It benefits Wheeler Mission which feeds the homeless on Thanksgiving. Before and after the race Starbuck's was there handing out free Gingerbread and Peppermint Lattes as well as their Christmas blend coffee!! Oh so good and so festive - really gets this coffee loving runner in the mood for the season...

Hope everyone's Thanksgiving is a great one!

in the zone

I had planned to run on Saturday, but ended up down at my wife's grandmother's house - the new one. It is almost finished! In fact, we spent the night in it Friday night. Almost all of the furniture had already been delivered, no appliances yet and the kitchen wasn't finished yet either, but other than that it was very 'liveable'. While down there, I hung some pictures on the walls, moved the furniture in the appropriate spots (being the architect who designed the house I knew where I wanted the furniture to be - I know, sounds egotistical, but it really was the best arrangement of the furniture).

So, that brings us to today. I woke up later than usual (8am) and decided I was getting outside for a run. It had already reach the high for the day - 39 degrees. So, I suited up and got ready and out the door I went. I decided to keep it short - about 5 miles seemed right for the day. I headed to the front of the neighborhood jamming to an updated eccletic mix of music (OK Go, Raconteurs, Kanye West, Snow Patrol, Johnny Cash, Eminen and a little Franz Ferdinand to name just a few). I felt pretty good, even happy to be outside - even in the cold, drizzly weather. I was feeling slow, but strong, so I just went by how I felt. I headed to the neighborhood across the street from me, wound around and back out to the main road and headed towards the historic Fort Harrison area. I went out about 5k and then turned around. I was feeling great by this point - something that I haven't felt in a little while. I picked up the pace some more and it felt fine. About a mile from home I picked it up some more. It was starting to feel a little tougher, but it felt good. I was able to finish strong, my last half mile was run at an 8:00/mile. Overall I ran 5.5 mile at an average pace of 8:32/mile... my speed is coming back.

An easy week coming up (I think). I think I can even catch my breath at work and get some quality runs in this week - the big race is on Thanksgiving morning - I can't wait...

run of the 'mill

I am happy to report that I have run every day this week. I only got outside for one of the runs and the other three were done on the 'mill. It wasn't terrible, it was convenient, but it was mind-numbing.

For those of you who have been helping me look, I did find my speed. Well, some of it anyway. It was under a pile of papers at work... funny, I don't remember placing it there...

I am taking the day off to rest and then looking to run tomorrow morning - it looks to be a nice day out (somewhat cold, but no rain) so I am planning on running outside. It will be a tune up run for the race on Thanksgiving. Wow, this year is just flying by... only 39 more days until Christmas!

lost: speed

Has anyone seen my speed? I have apparently misplaced it. I do not remember what it looks like, but if you see anything that may resemble my speed, please let me know... possible reward. In all fairness I have been overworked and under rested, so work is probably the culprit. I'll try looking there tomorrow...

I have to admit I did not run at all on Sunday - work sucked me into its "vortex of doom" all day and left me no time or desire to run. But I am happy to say that I have run both days this week and plan on running tomorrow morning. Nothing big - just short 30 minute runs to get them in and get back to a schedule of sorts. But I need some speed now 'cause I am planning on running a race in just 9 days... oh crap...

just doing it

No, this isn't a Nike endorsement - I just wanted to announce that I got out yesterday to enjoy the wonderful weather we had been having (especially since I missed out on Thursday's weather). I went out and just ran. I probably ran too hard and too fast

No, I know I did, but I wanted to.

It was a rough week and it just felt good to go all out... well, as all out as I could go feeling as tired as I did. It just melts the stress away, so for me, it was a good thing.

I took today off to relax, sleep in, spend time with my wife (who almost forgot who I was) and not think about work. I think I did pretty good. I also got to see my nephews today. They are so cute - especially Ethan, who will be 1 year old very soon. He is such a happy little guy (as long as he is fed).

Tomorrow is a long run for me. I'd like to do 8 or 9 miles, but I am not sure. I think I will go out with the intention of running at least 5, and if I am feeling good, I will go for the 9. Then it will be off to work to work the rest of the day and start my week right where I left off. But I am going to try to run 5 to 6 days a week now no matter what my schedule is at work. I can afford 20 - 30 minutes a day to make this work, so why not? I have to thank fellow runner and blogger, Yumke for this idea. It all seems so simple, but for some reason I couldn't see it. As a runner I need to make the time because it IS part of my life and I want to keep it that way.

mill-work

It has been a rough week. I missed my run on Tuesday, so I got up at 4am this morning to run so I could get it in and still get to work extra-early. I opted for the 'mill just to make it easy on me and I took it slow at first then ramped up the pace. I felt good when it was all done - certainly better than I had before I started.

I showered and got dressed and headed into work for another long day. It is 7pm and I am still here, but not much longer (I hope). I have a month's worth of work that I have been trying to cram into one week - oh yeah, the fun never stops for Dave.

I may try to sneak out a little early tomorrow for a run - I hear the weather is supposed to be great.

(another) lost weekend

Yet another weekend that flew by. It was another weekend I had to cram a bunch of errands and chores into. It was another weekend I had to work. It was another weekend I had to find time to run.

A little background on my usual weekend (for this year anyway)... My wife's grandmother's house burned down on January 4th of this year. The good news is she was not home and not hurt. The first few weekend of the year was spent sifting through the ashes, trying to salvage furniture (heirlooms) and memories.

The insurance company agreed to replace the house. Floor plans were needed. I, being an architect, offered my services. I had some ideas to improve upon what she had - with the main idea of making it easy for her to live in the house. You see, she is 81 years old and while she is still very active, she won't be able to climb stairs forever and this is where her bedroom was. So a little reoganizing the inside and making a few design choices to better the space, the building process was started. I spent several weekends working on the design and preparing the drawings. I met with the contractors and I have been to the house almost every weekend all summer long. It is an hour drive to get there, so it never ended up being a quick trip, no matter how we planned. It has taken from March until now to get where we are - about two weeks from completion. A ridiculously long process, but well worth the wait. On Saturday we picked up a bunch of items for the house on our way down and then I completed my walk-thru inspection and created my list of items to fix (a punch-list). Before we knew it Saturday was gone.

My work week was a trying one and I had brought work home with me to do. Needless to say, it was going to have to be done on Sunday. But what about my run, you may ask? I took a break around 3:00 and went to Fort Harrison State Park for a run. I decided it was time to hit the hills again and I always enjoy the serenity of the park. Most of the leaves were on the ground, but the smell of autumn was still in the air - wonderful.

My run wasn't the easiest, but I pushed myself hard today. I felt I needed to for some reason. I got my 7 miles in at an 8:55/mile pace. I felt good when I was done.

I am hoping to normalize my schedule this week, but it promises to be yet another busy one, so we'll see. If I can just get a run in on Tuesday and Thursday, it should be okay. My recovery schedule is not happening the way I had hoped. So, I am now pondering my options for the spring... mary or half-mary? Probably too early to make a decision yet - especially a knee-jerk reaction based on my previous weekends this year.

I caught a little of the NY Marathon on TV today... inspiring. Even seeing Lance Armstrong finishing in just under 3 hours and looking beat... it made me feel better. Even Lance Armostrong can look like that...

work: 1 running: 0

I have not done any running since Sunday. I will say my legs feel heavy anyway, but I'd really like to keep going. Unfortunately work has gotten even busier than it was over the summer and I am finding no time to get runs in now (even now I shouldn't even be blogging). I have to reshuffle my schedule, and soon. With holidays coming it will be tough... I get overwhelmed with everything I have to do at work, at home and everywhere in between.

One thing at a time.

I am going to try for a 3 mile run this evening - probably on the treadmill :( Then another 6 - 8 miles this weekend and try to get my running back on track, but looks llike work may win again... maybe even this weekend... yuck.

This too shall pass...