what time is it?

Four thirty....It's not late, naw, naw, just early, early, early... My thanks to the Spin Doctors for that one...it was an early day for me as I was leaving for Michigan this morning for work. I, in fact, got up at 4:30 this morning to run my 16x400 repeats...ugh. It took me awhile to get moving, eventhough I have gotten up that early before to run, but it has been awhile. To make it easy on myself and to save time I jumped on the treadmill to get it done. It wasn't too bad, but running on the track seems easier...

an easy 3

An easy 3 mile recovery run last night. Due to time constraints, ran it on the treadmill. Felt good, no soreness. Tonight is cross training and then I'll have to figure out my schedule for the rest of the week. Looks like I'll be up in Michigan for the day for work on Wednesday...probably won't get home until 9pm, so no track workout tomorrow evening...

15 miles with friends

Yesterday's long run was 15 miles. My three running buddies and I were able to get our schedules coordinated and decided on the route and meeting place. Brooke, Jason, Andy and I met just outside of Fort Harrison State Park at 7am. It was a beautiful, sunny morning and a wonderfully cool 62 degrees...oh how great it felt...we walked into the park (as it didn't open to vehicle traffic until 7:30) and began our run just past the gate house, which was a mile from the back entry of the park. We chose this route partly because we hadn't run it in awhile, partly because it was fairly shaded and partly because it was part of the Indianapolis Marathon that Brooke, Jason and I ran last year -- good and bad memories, but having finished it and now training for Chicago, it was mainly good memories that served as inspiration and motivation. We kept the pace easy and as even as possible, trying to stay near the suggested pace per the training program (10:40/mile - 11:10/mile) -- we averaged around a 10:20/mile. I'd have a more definitive mile and pace breakdown, but my battery died in my GPS during the run...but from the data I do have it appeared we ran negative splits! We ran out the back of the park down Fall Creek Parkway to the Fall Creek Trail. They are extending this trail up towards the park, but it is not yet complete - can't wait, though the road is not heavily traveled, so traffic is not a huge concern. We covered eight miles before we knew it and turned around. The last 1/2 mile we picked up the pace to marathon pace to see how it felt. It felt good and was glad to see we still had the energy to do this and I suspect the cooler weather helped. We finished the run at the back of the State Park and walked the mile+ back to the cars. It was a good cool down, but we felt tired and perhaps a little achy. We stopped at a drinking fountain in the park to get more to drink and stretch. It helped. We got back to the cars and stretched a little more and discussed the run. Everyone was feeling good about it and we already have next week's run planned out (and are very excited about the route). To keep it "fair" we are rotating the routes and starting spots each week so it is convenient for everyone. Next week we are starting downtown at Andy's place. From there we pick up the Monon, go north to Broadripple, pick up the Towpath, go south to pick up the White River Trail and then take that south back downtown...a complete 17 mile loop. It should be fun. I just hope the weather is as nice as it was yesterday.

multi-tasking

I like to multi-task. Getting more than one thing done is great. Today was one that was unusual. I have neglected my lawn for almost two weeks (don't get me started on my flower beds, er maybe I should call them weed beds?) so I came home from work thinking I could get it mowed. On my schedule was running, but I switched my run and tomorrow's cross training for this week, so I thought I could mow/cross train and "kill two birds with one stone" -- you know, that old chesnut. Well on top of that I also was able to take a shower and wash the mower (not that I usually wash the mower)...the neighbors must think I am nuts, there I was in a downpour mowing the lawn...I figured, "I am already wet, I have already started, why not?" Unfortunately, it got so wet I had to stop. I at least finished the front yard, so it wasn't a complete waste and it felt so good compared to the heat and humidity we have had to run in...

heat - it ain't no thang

I must be getting used to the heat. Last night's run, though run at a very easy pace, felt good. The heat did not bother me like I expected it to. This evening, I expected it to be icky, gooey, awful out - especially since I had to do 14x400's at the track. I did my warm-up laps at an easy pace and then set out to try to get in all 14 laps. I secretly thought if it got too bad that I would get what I could in. I grouped the laps into 4's, which mentally broke it into something manageable. After each group of 4 I would stretch and sip some gatorade, then get to the next 4. Before I new it I was done. It seemed that last week was actually more humid -- and I know I sweated a lot more then. I think the breeze that was blowing made all the difference, and I am not sure but I think the humidity dropped to a bearable level - unfortunately it is making it way out east...looking forward to cooler temps this weekend. My splits (I was fairly even):

1. 2:00
2. 1:56
3. 1:56
4. 1:51
5. 1:59
6. 2:02
7. 1:58
8. 1:55
9. 2:00
10. 1:57
11. 1:57
12. 1:56
13. 1:57
14. 1:51