happy birthday brooke

It was Brooke's birthday on Sunday, to celebrate we ran our 9 mile run on Fall Creek Trail out to the Monon then up North for about half a mile. We ran the second half faster than the first. Felt good the entire run and had a good pace and a nice relaxed run. The weather actually cooperated and turned out to be a nice day for a morning run. It did get a little warm later in the day, but I did manage to mow my somewhat brown and crispy lawn... I ran this morning for 30 minutes per the training schedule...still doesn't seem like enough, but after the run yesterday, I could tell I was a little tired. Cross-training tomorrow - hopefully my bike will cooperate a little better this time...

8 x 400 = confusion

Yesterday was time for my speedwork in my marathon training...I use the term speedwork a little loosely, as the pace I was supposed to run my repeats at was what I was running while warming up. I am not a fast runner, but unless the track I ran at was just short of a 1/4 mile, I was running at 8:00/miles for warm-up. I had to force myself to slow down so I was keeping a 9:00/mile pace. The funny thing was, I was feeling sluggishly slow to begin with. Somehow I was running 1:45 for my 400 meter repeats! Maybe it was the weather - it was much cooler and there was a slight breeze - it felt great to be outside. The process of running repeats is supposed to be simple, but I probably think too much about it. Anyway, I got my workout in. A nice easy 30 minute run tonight and then 9 miles this weekend...

rusty gears and flat tires

I missed my Monday run, so I doubled my cross training time yesterday. I got my bike down from the hooks in the garage and dusted it off. I checked the tires and found that they were almost completely flat, so I filled them up. As I headed off it started to rain, so I waited a few minutes until it stopped. I then headed off for and hour bike ride. I went to Fort Harrison State Park for the majority of my ride. I thought the hills would be a good workout - my knees disagree. I may need to readjust my seat, I'll have to check this before my next ride. I may also need to check my gear shifter...I found out during my ride that I only have 7 gears versus the 21 it is suppose to have. I was able to get the gear to advance after awhile, but it was inconsistent. At least I didn't end up with a flat tire this time...This is why running is better - shoes don't go flat (or maybe they do if you have Nike Air - right Brooke?), if your gears are rusty, it is you, not the equipment.

back home again in indiana...

We're back. Got home this morning at 2am...a long -ass drive! We originally were going to make it an easy drive home - breaking it up into three trips, going to Albany, NY to see a friend and see my old college, then on to Niagara Falls since Steph has never been there, maybe stopping by my old home town where I grew-up, and finally a stop in Ohio to see my grandmother. We skipped Niagara Falls and my home town - being anxious to get home and drove from Albany to Ohio to visit with my grandmother, then headed home from there - all in the same day. Needless to say, I didn't run this morning and will run my 7 miles tomorrow. It won't be the same as running past lighthouses, but it will be nice to run at home...

running out of time

Time is almost up for our vacation...one last run tomorrow morning, or is it cross-training? I'll have to check. The rain is returning, so it is probably good we are leaving. This morning I had to skip my speed workout for my training and opt for an easy run out and quick run back. I had headed to a local high school, but there was no track to run on. Later on in the day we went to Provincetown...always an "interesting" place. Missed the Portuguese Festival, but not the great food. I went to see an old sea captain's home from the 1800's - The Penniman Home. It had hot and cold running water and an indoor bathroom! Very nice...There were also some great trails nearby (Red Maple Swamp Trail and Fort Hill Trail), so I decided to try them out - turned out to be a great diversion. On the road tomorrow. Off to see my alma mater RPI...