a quick 5 miles at sunset

After a busy weekend, I was able to break away for a quick 5 mile run. The temperature was perfect and the sunset was just starting to set, but I felt awful... yet somehow I pulled out an 8:33/mile average. Running seems to be going well this week, so we'll see how it goes. I'd like to keep building on the recent "successes" I've been having. My pace has all been sub 9:00's this week, which has been great. Just need to keep that up as I stretch out the mileage from here on out.

training: week 4 complete

A bit of a rough week for running, but got in all but one run this week...

Monday's 3.5 mile run was not too bad, felt pretty good actually. Even my 35 minute tempo run on Wednesday ended up being a good run.

Thursday came and I was too tired to get out of bed and run, so took the day off, but after dinner on Thursday we headed to the state park to play. It was such a beautiful evening. Lilli played on all the slides - she's found them to be a blast. Her favorite one is the biggest one there that is built into the side of a hill. She giggled all the way down. She looked like a little luge athlete from the olympics - so cute.

Yesterday was just 3 miles. It was a very slow run for me - close to a 10:00/mile pace and it felt awful. My right shin was tightening up, my gait felt all off, just not a good run, but I finished it, stretched and was fine.

Today's run was a 7 miler. Started out a 7am and ran the regular route through Fort Ben. Can't say I felt great on the run, not so much due to any pain, but because I was so congested. I haven't figured out if it is allergies or sinuses, but it is not fun. It took the entire hour of running to clear it all out... yuck.

After the run, I came home and got cleaned up to head over to Lawrence Safety Day. It was right down the road from home and we had taken our nephews a few years back and they enjoyed it, so we took Lilli for the first time. She loved seeing all the fire trucks and police motorcycles and she went crazy when the black hawk helicopter landed - she was so amazed by it (as was I). It hovered above the trees and then came in for a landing - just amazing the amount of wind it pushed down.

Next week is another bump up in the schedule. Stayed tuned for updates...

training: week 1 complete

The first week actually went okay. I made my planned runs and topped out at 14.5 miles for the week. Today's 5 miler felt easy - especially compared to my last two weekend runs where I felt awful.

Tomorrow I rest and then begin my next week of training, more mid-week 3 milers (one a tempo run) and then a 6 miler for the long run.

communing with nature

After a long hiatus from the trails, I was able to get out on them today for about a 7 mile run. I chose the one trail at the park that I normally avoid (probably because of the stairs) and ran it. I forgot how much I liked this trail. It winds along the banks of Fall Creek and is mainly flat until it reaches a series of stairs. I took them with ease and climbed up, up, up and then circled back down the other side of the trail only to do another lap. Second time was just as nice, stairs not a problem. My GPS couldn't synch so I never knew my distance for sure, but I went by time. I am not 100% sure of my pace either, but I at least ran a 10:00/mile pace. I finished and felt great - not worn out like I have been on previous runs.

Yesterday I took the time to clear some limbs from our weeping willow and got a swing hung up for Lilli. She got up from her nap and tried it out right away. Over a half hour later she was still in there swinging away, until it was snack time. It was still tough to get her out of the swing -- she loves the outdoors as much as I do, but we got her out. Hopefully we can go out for a bike ride today or just do some more swinging - anything to be outside...

consistency

The total for my weekly mileage is 25.

That is 25 miles for the week.

2 - 5.

Part of that came because I was so much more consistent in my running (it also didn't hurt that the weather was at an all time awesomeness since about Wednesday. I ran every day since Thursday and it was shear bliss (well, almost. My run on Friday was a rough 3 mile slog that couldn't end soon enough). Friday afternoon had me e-mailing and calling to check on everyone's availability. It was time to gather some people up for a run. Winter is always tough to get people out, but with mid-60's and partly sunny weather for Saturday, there was no problem. Jason, John, Mark and myself decided to run on the Monon trail (along with a huge group of people who had probably hibernated for the winter). It wasn't packed to the point that running was tough or we had to dodge bikers or walkers, but you could tell people were out to enjoy the day. On the schedule was 7 miles (probably far behind where I would normally be in any type of training, but it was what it was). All of us were at different levels in base mileage but we came together for the common goal of getting out for a fun run. The pace probably started out a little fast - about 8:45/mile, but it felt good. On the way back, we slowed down a bit - mainly due to the wind, but also because of the initial pace. John and I picked the pace back up and left Mark and Jason to follow. I was feeling pretty good. Our pace picked back up and kept increasing as we got closer to the end. I think we clocked in 7:00/mile pace in the last 1/4 mile... the weather really has a way of '"enhancing" your run...

Then today I got out for another run, this time with Brooke. We didn't have a specific distance we were going to go, but threw out 3 to 4 miles as a start. It still felt so great out even though it was overcast and a little humid. We ended up doing 7 miles. I feel great for getting out both days and getting in some good quality runs, not to mention getting my total weekly miles back where I want them.

A very busy week at work this week, so hopefully and can keep my running going. More to post a little later...

a streak of sorts

I had a nice run on Sunday with Brooke and John. 5 miles on the trail, with an easy recovery walk at the end. The weather was a little cool, but not bad in the woods.

Since Sunday I have run three days in a row. The streak was broken this morning, but I decided it best not to push it for a couple of reasons: I was feeling a little tired and I didn't want to increase my mileage too quickly since I have been so inconsistent. Ironically, it was actually above freezing this morning, so my run would have been kind of nice. Well, there's always tomorrow (plus I am taking a vacation day so I might try to run during the daylight... *insert big smile here*). I am hoping to get my mileage up around 20 - 25 miles / week by mid-March as I stretch my long runs a little further. Currently, the only race I am training for is Dances with Dirt, so there is some time yet, but I'd like to get to at least a 10 mile trail run before then.

Not much else to report - shoes are feeling good. A nice, comfortable ride. I have a mid-test feedback report to complete around March 11th so I'll have a few more miles on them by then.

a better weekend

My week was rough, but got in a couple of mid-week runs. None of them were stellar, but the fact that I got out was impressive.

By Friday, I was looking forward to my 5k race on Saturday. When I arrived home (slightly later than I had hoped) a package was sitting at the front door. It was these:

I have mentioned in the past that I have done weartesting for New Balance - and here were a brand new pair for me to try out. I was so "geeked" about these that I tried them on right away. They felt great and wore them for my 5k race on Saturday.

The 5k race was called Cupid's Fling. I was half hoping to PR in this race, but knew it would be tough since I really hadn't trained specifically for it. When the race started it was cold, damp and windy. I thought I started out at an easy pace and wasn't planning on pushing the pace any. I wasn't familiar with the course so just took my time and picked off people one by one. I was doing really well until the last 1/4 mile, when the course headed up hill to the finish. I didn't have enough kick left to pick the pace up, but still finished in a decent time - 24:08 (though no PR still).

Later Saturday, we went to my parents house for dinner and stayed the night. We went out for brunch this morning and then Steph and I left for home leaving Lilli at my parents. At home we went crazy and we cleaned and straightened up the house. It still amazes us how a little girl can create such a big mess! Later this evening we headed out for a belated Valentine Dinner. We ate, talked and just enjoyed each other's company. We enjoy having Lilli around all the time, but forget how nice it is to be just by ourselves. We really needed it.

The coming week looks to be busy, but I think I'll be able to get in a few more runs mid-week. Until then, happy running...

mediocre weekend

What should have been a great weekend ended up somewhat mediocre. I got out for a run on Saturday in the wonderful 50 degree weather. It was sunny when I started, but it became overcast and very windy a mile or two into the run. Ended up running through water, snow and ice - leaving my feet soaked. I wasn't really feeling it and decided 5 miles was good enough for this run. It was probably a good time for a step back week anyway. I planned to run today, but got busy with so many other things that needed to get done. I finished taxes, paid bills, and hauled off all the clutter that we took out of the house. Very exciting stuff... This week I hope to once again focus on running - especially with the break in the weather. No more excuses. On top of that there is a little 5K waiting for me on Saturday. More to follow...

a couple more runs

This weekend I focused my attention to getting out for a run each day. The weather on Saturday was not optimal by any means, but I wanted, no - I needed to - get out for a good, long run. My plan was for 7 miles and I was going to stick to it no matter what. With all of the snow that was still lying around, I focused my attention to plowed, paved pavement. In order to not compete with cars on the much narrower streets that we are dealing with, I made my way to the park to run. Plus, the hills in the park were sure to add a level of difficulty that I haven't had in a long run.

Earlier in the morning it was a "balmy" 8 degrees. I think when I got out it was probably 10, but with a wind chill, more like 5... it was a bit cold. I dressed as best I could for the conditions and headed out. My hands were cold for the first 3 miles, then they were warm enough, but then my legs started to get cold after mile 4. I ended up running a 2.33 +/- mile loop and after the first 2 laps I was bored and was dreading the last lap. I hit the big hill on the route and it was all I could do to get to the top. I had to walk half way up... ouch! It'd been awhile since I needed to walk up any hill, but I was tired. I got to the top and picked it back up and finished out my run. I checked my time and saw I averaged an 8:47/mile pace... surprisingly not bad.

Sunday was a much, much nicer day. It was well above freezing - probably around 38 - 40 degrees with plenty of sunshine. It felt great. I hit the trails for a short 4 mile run. It turned out to be a good idea for a short run as the trails were tough - the snow was packed down, but because of the temperature it was getting soft and squishy in spots so it was quite a workout on the ankles. Made it out to a paved surface and opted to finish my run on this.

I am hoping to get back to more consistent runs during the week still, but not sure how I will manage it just yet. Two weeks until my 5k race - still time to get my speed up.

catching up

I made it out for a run yesterday and was joined by my friend Brooke. We hadn't run since... November's 15k Trail Run?! So we had some catching up to do. We didn't have a specific distance in mind, I think we were thinking at least 5 miles, so we set out on the trails that were frozen and slippery in some spots.

We talked on everything from the economy to what's been going on with each of our lives, which seemed closely tied to the economy... 2009 will be a tough year for all, but we'll make it through. And I think we both generally decided that whether we run any big races this year or not, we'll be training as if we will be running them - after all we still need a goal.

The run seemed to end quickly (though our speed over the slippery terrain was no land speed record). We reached 5 miles and felt pretty good. I'm sure we still have more we could talk about, but it will have to wait for another run :)

I'm planning on getting out for another run today - it's snowing out right now and it's always fun to run when it's snowing...

Race Report: DINO Trail Run #6

Just a mere 5 days to go... I am not feeling prepared for this half. I can run it, sure, but I doubt that I'll be setting any PR's (which I really need). At least that is how I am feeling after my run on Saturday. It was the DINO Series Race #6 at SouthWestway Park.

It all began great. I met up with Brooke, whom I haven't been able to run with all summer. Our last run together was the Geist Half Marathon in May, so we had a lot to catch up on. I am pretty sure we did not have enough time during the drive there and back and all throughout the race. So, we'll need to try to get runs scheduled more often than every 5 months...

We began at what I considered a very easy pace of 9:00/miles, but around mile 2 or so, it seemed to get much harder... sure there was a huge hill, but even that shouldn't have been that big of a deal, but it definitely was work to get up it and left me feeling tired. The course itself was beautiful. Nice paths to run along and with just the one big hill, a somewhat challenging course, but not the toughest I've run on. In all fairness, I have only run trails once since the Dances With Dirt Race back in May, so I wasn't necessarily prepared for the race in terms of dealing with the terrain, but the distance wasn't a big deal.

Brooke and I kept up a conversation most of the time. John had started out with us, but he maintained the 9:00/mile pace and we didn't see him after mile 2 or so until the end of the race. We touched on quite a few topics, but it still seemed like we ran out of time to talk. It was a beautiful day out - sunny, blue skies and cool in the morning. A great day for a trail run.

We finished in a respectable 1:31 (John finished in 1:24) - so it wasn't a bad run, just not the pace I thought I'd be running - especially this close the the half marathon. I keep trying to tell myself that it is a different kind of running than a road race, so I guess we'll have to see in 5 days if I am right...

Running Out of Time

Only 19 days until the Indianapolis Half Marathon!

In all honesty, I do not feel ready. I know I can run the distance - that's never been an issue, but somehow I do not feel ready. I've gotten most of my runs in - probably 85% or more, and all of my long runs. Last weekend's near-12 miler (11.7 to be exact) left me feeling good. This weekend's 15k not as much. I think it was in part to lack of sleep and eating lack total crap all weekend... needless to say I am back on the wagon of good healthy eating.

So where does this leave me? Probably running the half just to finish in a respectable under 2 hour time and no PR. That doesn't mean I won't try...

With summer officially over I am still not finding any time to get anything done. The armoire I started to refinish back in June(?) is still not done, but it is close. Just some paint touch up, and installing new hinges and knobs and it will be ready. In all honesty, if I had any time this past weekend it would have been done by now, but Saturday we all ended up sleeping in until 10am - unheard of in our house - particularly for Lilli and me. But I was exhausted and obviously needed the rest. This got us to a late start in the day. We had talked about going to the zoo, but decided to travel down to Nashville, IN to walk around. I guess we weren't the only ones with that idea because it was quite busy - and it wasn't even peak season yet. We visited some of our favorite places (mine being Jack and Jill's Nut Shoppe... mmmm... warm roasted cashews...). On the way back we stopped at the outlets and did some clothes shopping - I still had a little birthday money and needed some new stuff.

Sunday was my day for a run since I was too tired to get up early on Saturday... and apparently Sunday too. I got out by 10:30am and ran my 15k at a decent pace (supposedly - my watch is still being fixed and I have no GPS link). I estimated my pace around 8:29/mile. It felt slower. After my run I grabbed a quick bite of lunch and then mowed the neighbor's yard and ours. 3 hours later I was done and was just a bit tired - not to mention a little sore.

Quite a beautiful weekend though. I am actually looking forward to the cooler weather this week. I love autumn - probably my favorite season.

That's all for now - more later. Happy running.

Scheduling Snafu(s)

The name of the game is flexibility. Stuff happens - it's all part of Life. So as I have been trying to pull together a training schedule and stick to it the last 4 or 5 weeks, I have shifted days around and, unfortunately, have missed a day or two.

Am I worried? No.

Do I wish I didn't have to keep shuffling my time around? Sure, but I'm thankful I at least have that as an option.

So, the plan this weekend was to run 10k. The schedule actually had me in a 10k race - and there even was one, but I opted out of doing that race and decided just running 10k would be a good thing. As I was checking my upcoming planned races, I realized that the D.IN.O fall trail race series is beginning next weekend. What a great idea it would be to run my 10k on trails!

Honestly, I was happy to run anything as long as I got my mileage in at a good pace. I had it all planned to run on Saturday, but Life threw another curve ball at us.

Steph woke up horribly dizzy - more so than she had a previous mornings (we thought it was just sinus drainage or something connected to fluid in the inner ear). It was going away, so an appointment was scheduled with an ENT for Monday, but here it was Saturday and it was bad. So it was off to the Medcheck where she was diagnosed with "positional vertigo". So, with some medication, it was relieved slightly, but with a wonderful drowsy affect. The rest of Saturday was a wash, but not a waste. Unfortunately, I am still not getting ANYTHING done around the house that is on my list! I am threatening to take vacation to have actual free time to get stuff done... time is running out...

Today I finally got out for my run around 11am. I headed right for Fort Harrision State Park and ran the trails. I hadn't run the trails there since April, so it was great to get back to them. I didn't set any records on this run, but felt good when I was finished.

Later on today I was mentioning to Steph that next weekend was a trail run race that I was planning on doing. Unfortunately for me, she has an appointment that morning that has been scheduled for a month and a half... oops, guess I lose on this one. Looks like I'll have to miss this race... oh well, there be plenty more. Life goes on and so do I. I'll be back at it tomorrow morning if all goes well.

Happy Running...

Happy Labor Day Weekend

Okay, so it's been a little while since I have posted and in all honesty I have lost track as to what week of training this is... 4, I think - but the training is going pretty well. I just finished a 9 mile run that went better than planned. Yesterday's run though - not so well. It was meant to be a 3 mile at pace. Well, the pace I have been aiming for is an 8:00/mile - not impossible, but certainly it has been awhile since I have run that pace. As it worked out, I didn't get out until 11:00 (mainly because I was supposed to run this on Friday, but put it off and then I put it off almost all morning). Lilli joined me since it was supposed to be a quick run through the neighborhood. I started out right on pace and felt great. I hit the end of the first mile and then I started slowing down. I tried to fight it, but I couldn't maintain the pace. I think the quickly rising temp's had everything to do with it, but the run was still a decent run - about an 8:30/mile average. So that is training... work is slowed down to an almost manageable pace - I had really hoped to take some time off before Labor Day to work on stuff around the house - I've still yet to finish anything I've started this summer... and Wow! where did the summer go?! Two weeks ago we went back to the zoo - twice - just us and Lilli. We had a great time. The weather was perfect once again and the crowds weren't bad at all. The second time we went back was for "Animals and all that Jazz" which basically was the zoo open after hours (free to get in for members like us) and we could walk around, or sit at a table and listen to a live jazz band. It was a nice thing to do on a Thursday evening. That is all for now. Have a safe and happy Labor Day weekend.

Week 1 - Weekend Edition

I was able to get my run in on Friday, but I was not able to settle in to my pace. Instead I settled on staring a minute off and working my way up to pace - which wasn't bad,but not what was scheduled.

Saturday's run went well - 6 mile run on some hills (actually part of the half marathon course). I think what was scheduled was a 90 minute run, but at this phase in the training 6 miles was appropriate. I am just a little behind in my base miles to have started with the training plan I have, but I'll be caught up by the third week I think.

If all goes well, I'll be able to hit all of my runs this week - weather looks to be phenomenal! So un-Indiana-like... it been great....

Race Report: Inaugural Geist Half Marathon

I am FINALLY getting around to my second race report in the last two weekends...

After my Dances With Dirt experience I took it easy for a couple of days - mainly to let my legs heal. Oh they were sore... anyway I got in one run mid-week and it felt just fine so I thought I would be okay for another race on the weekend. Besides, I did not have plans to PR, but just to finish without embarrassing myself too much.

I arrived an hour early to park and use the bathrooms. Then took a leisurely stroll to the finish line since it was a mile away from the parking. They offered shuttle buses, but I thought a walk/jog would be best. Of course, I could have been wrong too... on my way to the start line my ankle started aching and my hip... surely casualties from the previous weekends race. It wasn't painful enough to stop running, so I kept going and then stretched a little when I got to the start line.

It was a beautiful sunny morning, about 55 degrees with a good wind. The line up was not organized to the point where they had pace signs up to line up with, so I just lined up in the front-middle and decided to start out easy and work into a pace that felt comfortable.

The race started on time and out I went, slowly at first (10:00/mile pace), then settled into a very comfortable 9:00/mile pace. The course was very scenic - starting on a bridge over the reservoir and then winding through some neighborhoods, crossing the reservoir a few more times and finishing up right on the reservoir. One could not have asked for a more beautiful day.

My pace remained pretty consistent mile to mile. I checked at each mile marker because they had clocks at each one which was nice. The first 6-7 miles were not bad. I had my ipod going and I was just cruising along feeling good and enjoying the run. Just past the mile 7 mark, I met up with Brooke who said she'd join me for the last 5-6 miles of the race, which was great. We hadn't run at all since November so we had a little catching up to do. So for the next 5-6 miles we talked and ran like old times.

The next thing I knew we were approaching the bridge to the finish line so I picked up the pace because I still had the energy to do it (plus I wanted to make sure I finished in under 2 hours). We get over the bridge and turn the corner to the finish, Brooke drops off to the side and I head on in to finish in 1:59:31... not bad for no specific half marathon training... though not close to a PR, but it was a great day for a run.

The rest and recovery area was well organized and we hung around for about a 1/2 hour or so talking and stretching. Then we boarded the shuttle bus back to my car (about 3 miles away... probably could have run it back, but it was already the farthest run I had done in over 6 months).

I am actually looking forward to running this race next year, but for now need to set my sights on something closer. I am now debating the 42k relay in July, but will probably still do it... I need some more races throughout the summer to keep me motivated. More on these to follow when I find some interesting races to do.

Until then, keep on running...

A Whole Lot of Nothing

It has been quite awhile since I have posted anything, and quite a long time since I posted anything interesting... though I am not sure I ever had anything interesting to post anyway.

I guess I'll start with last weekend:

John and I had decided it would be a good idea to go down to Brown County and scope out the race location and maybe run the first leg to get an idea of the hills. Well, let's file this under, "It seemed a good idea at the time..."

We found Mike's Dance Barn (the home base for the race) and proceeded to look for orange ribbons that mark the first leg of the race. After finding a couple that didn't seem to go anywhere, we went off the course description and felt comfortable that we were on the right track. Climbing up a 250' abandoned double black diamond ski slope was quite a challenge, but we got to the top only to have to go down a hill and then back up another, though not as steep. Once on top of the ridge, we found the trail that lead us through the woods and onto a trail. We were convinced we were on the trail and proceeded to follow it out since it was just under a 3 mile loop. The terrain wasn't bad at all. There were a few hills, but nothing compared to what we had just encountered, or anything we hadn't been running on for the last month. We continue to follow the trail, I kept track of our distance and it seemed we "lost" the trail. Now, we never left it, but it turned into a fire road and we thought we were still on it, but there were no tell tale orange ribbons to guide us. Had we brought the quasi-course map, we might have noticed we needed to loop back and head back to where we started right then and there, but the road seemed to curve around and we thought we were headed in the right direction, all along just getting farther from where we started... what kept us going was the fact we saw blue and pink ribbons, which marked other legs of the course, so we knew we weren't lost. We kept going looking for the orange ribbons and we found some, so started following them, but each time we found a series of them, they seemed to just stop in the middle of the woods, and we had to back track.

Now, by this time we were at 3 miles or more and no clear sight of where we started from. I wasn't concerned, but I do remember saying that I didn't want to become the lead story on the 11 o'clock news... not long after this we ran across a hunter who was in the woods, his ATV with gun case strapped to the front was parked on the fire road. At this point we should have turned around and retraced our steps back to the start, but we kept going, never thinking about that hunter and whether or not we were in danger of being shot accidentally...

We found some more ribbons and tried following them, hoping the end of the trail was just around the bend, so we then decided if we didn't see anything in 5 more minutes, we would turn around and run double time back. About 4-1/2 minutes later we run into 2 more hunters who were sitting on the side of the horse trail taking a break. We decided to ask them where we were and if we were getting close to Mike's Dance Barn. They looked at us incredulously and said that we were far from there. John and I looked at each other in amazement... they offered to walk us out to their camp as they were headed back anyway and give us a ride back to our car. When it was all said and done, we had gone 8 miles and somehow gone form one side of Brown County State Park to the other. We later found out that we were on one of the other legs of the race and had come across yet another leg that happened to be marked with orange ribbons too... oops.

Lesson learned. In hindsight, we should have turned around after a mile and a half, but we were so sure were were curving around the ridge... we also should have had that quasi-map that show the shape of the path, it would have indicated the sharp turn back towards the beginning that we ran past and dismissed as the wrong way -- which brings me to another point - my directional instinct is non-existent (as is John's). Anytime my instinct tells me to go right, I should go left...

So that was last weekend... well, most of it. I then relapsed and became sick again on Sunday, with the same chills and congestion I had previously. Most likely due to too many hours at work and not enough time sleeping. I never really recovered. Currently, I am still feeling congested in my head and am having trouble hearing out of my left ear. I am on a stronger anti-biotic and a few other medicines to combat this "creeping crud" I have. I don't think it will affect my race next weekend, but I haven't run in a week... I hope to get out for at least a few miles to loosen up. If it is nice enough, I am planning on getting the jog stroller out for the first time and Lilli and I will go for a run together.

Oh, and Lilli turned 6 months this past week! Wow, how time has flown by. She's been eating baby food for the last month and has graduated to peas... kind of gross looking, but she likes them. So far, she's like everything, though the fruits tend to be a bit too sweet for her to eat them straight.

That is all for now I guess. I am looking forward to next weekend's race and blogging about it... then the following week is a half marathon that I am not sure I am ready for, but I am running it anyway...stayed tuned for that experience.

Until then, keep on running.

Some more running

With less than three weeks until Dances With Dirt, I went out for another run, but this time it was with the specific goal of running steep hills and ravines - or as many as we could find. Anything that seemed outrageous enough to resemble what we will be be encountering...

Wow... it had our hearts racing as we climb up these hills and then back down the other side only to have to go over the next hill. Quite a workout. We have quite a challenge ahead of us... can't wait...

Ughh...hack...hack...

I decided against the trail run today so no race report. Since I was still getting over my cold I figured there was no way I was up to a 15k trail race. So later this afternoon I went out with intentions of an easy 10 mile run.

I know what you're thinking...10 miles is more than 15k, but I was going to take it easy and get in some good mileage was all. It didn't turn out that way as you might have expected... I went out at an easy 9:00/mile pace and kept it pretty consistent overall. By mile 7 I was in need of a drink, so I stopped at my car and guzzled down a Gatorade and then proceeded to hack up my lungs... I guess it was still a little too soon for me to be out for a run...

I have since recovered and will ease into my mileage this week. Only 3 weeks left until Dances With Dirt! And only one good weekend left (next weekend) to get in a good, long trail run to tune up for the race.

D.IN.O Trail Run #2 Race Report

This past Saturday was race #2 in the spring series of D.IN.O. I decided to attempt the 15k again to better my previous 15k trail run - which shouldn't have been too hard.

The weather was much nicer this time around - It was sunny and about 34 degrees at the start. The day just got better from there. I must have change clothes at least twice when deciding on what to wear. I ended up with shorts and three layers on top plus a hat and gloves. I actually ended up too hot towards the end, so the hat and gloves came off. 

The race was held at Mounds State Park in Anderson, Indiana. It is a very scenic park with some great trails - nice wide paths most of the time, but also quite a lot of stairs which made it very challenging.

Long story short - my time was 1:25:31 for an average pace of 9:11/mile. Not where I wanted to be, but not bad considering the stairs. It definitely showed I have a lot of training to do for Dances With Dirt in May...

This weekend was Lilli's 5 month birthday... wow, I can't believe how quickly she is growing... my good friend Brooke came over Saturday evening and watch Lilli for a few hours while Steph and I got out for dinner (we actually were able to eat at the same time) and then some relaxing shopping. We missed Lilli very much, but it was nice to get out for just a little "alone" time.

Today we continued our pre-spring cleaning that we had started on Saturday and still have a long way to go, but hopefully will get the inside stuff done soon, so I can be outside to whip the yard back into shape when the weather gets nicer.