Monday: Planned: Rest - Actual: Rest
Complete rest day - flew to Phoenix
Tuesday: Planned: 4 miles - Actual: Rest
I have now developed pain on my right leg at the point that the Achilles Tendon meets the heel. This is different to the left leg where the pain is higher up the Achilles.
Wednesday: Planned: 8 miles - Actual: Cycling
I woke up pain free so I decided to cycle for 30 minutes on the stationary bike in the hotel gym
Thursday: Planned: 4 miles - Actual: 3 miles (Treadmill)
Another pain free morning, so I decided to run on the hotel treadmill. The ache on the left leg appeared only after I finished running.
Stats: 3 miles, 27:00, 9:00/mile average pace
Friday: Planned: Rest - Actual: Rest
Complete rest day.
Saturday: Planned: 8 miles - Actual: 8 miles
I found a gap in the Hurricane Irene rain and wind to get 8 miles in and as I had been relatively pain free since Thursdays run, I decided to run a flat 8 miles. The left leg ache appeared towards the end of the run, but otherwise I felt fine.
Stats: 8 miles, 1:09:26, 8:40/mile average pace
Sunday: Planned: 17 miles - Actual: 17 miles
Knowing that Week 9 would most likely be a rest week, I decided to go for my long run with Steph even though I wasn't completely pain free. The run itself went really well and although the aches came and went throughout the run, they never progressed to being painful. However, the pain in the right heel was present when I got home and stayed for the entire day. Week 9 will indeed be a complete rest week with lots of stretching in an attempt to help both Achilles Tendons heal quickly.
Stats: 17 miles, 2:53:42, 10:13/mile average pace
Total for Week 8: 28 miles
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
Marathon Training Week 7
Monday: Planned: Rest - Actual: Rest
Complete rest day.
Tuesday: Planned: 4 miles - Actual: 5 miles
I made a point of stretching more than normal before and after the run today to make sure that my Calves were warm and loose and I ran in my Nike Free's today in an attempt to give my tired Achilles some extra support. I felt fine during the run but the ache returned later in the day.
Stats: 5 miles, 42:13, 8:26/mile average pace
Wednesday: Planned: 8 miles - Actual: 8 miles
I felt fine when I woke up and I repeated my longer than normal warm up and ran in my Nike Free's again. Although my Achilles felt fine for the first 6 miles, the ache returned and didn't go away for the rest of the day. There doesn't appear to be any swelling at all, which is very strange.
Stats: 8 miles, 1:06:47, 8:20/mile average pace
Thursday: Planned: 4 miles - Actual: Rest
I decided it was time for a day of rest, which combined with tomorrows scheduled day off would give me two days of rest before the longer runs at the weekend.
Friday: Planned: Rest - Actual: Rest
Complete rest day.
Saturday: Planned: 8 miles - Actual: 8 miles
I ran the flattest 8 miles I could find and my Achilles felt fine throughout the run. I iced the area when I got home and although there is a small tender spot (It feels like I have strained one side of my Achilles), there still isn't any swelling.
Stats: 8 miles, 1:08:03, 8:30/mile average pace
Sunday: Planned: 16 miles - Actual: 16 miles
Steph and I headed out to Umstead early and ran for 16 miles including Reedy Creek and Turkey Creek trails. The Achilles ache came and went throughout the run, never causing any pain, just aching. The run itself was great, I felt like I had plenty of energy and no other aches, pains or soreness. I took an ice bath when I got home and my legs felt fine for the rest of the day. I am traveling to Phoenix next week (and most likely three out of the next four weeks) where it is 115F every day, so I won't be running outside. I have also decided that it presents a good opportunity for 5 days of rest, so I won't be running again until my 8 mile run on Saturday. Hopefully the rest will allow my Achilles to heal and get me back to pain/ache free running.
Stats: 16 miles, 2:40:00, 10:00/mile average pace
Total for Week 6: 37 miles
Complete rest day.
Tuesday: Planned: 4 miles - Actual: 5 miles
I made a point of stretching more than normal before and after the run today to make sure that my Calves were warm and loose and I ran in my Nike Free's today in an attempt to give my tired Achilles some extra support. I felt fine during the run but the ache returned later in the day.
Stats: 5 miles, 42:13, 8:26/mile average pace
Wednesday: Planned: 8 miles - Actual: 8 miles
I felt fine when I woke up and I repeated my longer than normal warm up and ran in my Nike Free's again. Although my Achilles felt fine for the first 6 miles, the ache returned and didn't go away for the rest of the day. There doesn't appear to be any swelling at all, which is very strange.
Stats: 8 miles, 1:06:47, 8:20/mile average pace
Thursday: Planned: 4 miles - Actual: Rest
I decided it was time for a day of rest, which combined with tomorrows scheduled day off would give me two days of rest before the longer runs at the weekend.
Friday: Planned: Rest - Actual: Rest
Complete rest day.
Saturday: Planned: 8 miles - Actual: 8 miles
I ran the flattest 8 miles I could find and my Achilles felt fine throughout the run. I iced the area when I got home and although there is a small tender spot (It feels like I have strained one side of my Achilles), there still isn't any swelling.
Stats: 8 miles, 1:08:03, 8:30/mile average pace
Sunday: Planned: 16 miles - Actual: 16 miles
Steph and I headed out to Umstead early and ran for 16 miles including Reedy Creek and Turkey Creek trails. The Achilles ache came and went throughout the run, never causing any pain, just aching. The run itself was great, I felt like I had plenty of energy and no other aches, pains or soreness. I took an ice bath when I got home and my legs felt fine for the rest of the day. I am traveling to Phoenix next week (and most likely three out of the next four weeks) where it is 115F every day, so I won't be running outside. I have also decided that it presents a good opportunity for 5 days of rest, so I won't be running again until my 8 mile run on Saturday. Hopefully the rest will allow my Achilles to heal and get me back to pain/ache free running.
Stats: 16 miles, 2:40:00, 10:00/mile average pace
Total for Week 6: 37 miles
Monday, August 15, 2011
Marathon Training Week 6
Monday: Planned: Rest - Actual: Rest
My legs were tired after yesterdays long, hilly run in Umstead, so I just did an upper body and core workout today. 3 x 10 dumbbell curls, 3 x 10 overhead presses, 3 x 10 seated rowers, 3 x 10 press ups and 3 x 30 seconds plank.
Tuesday: Planned: 3 miles - Actual: 5 miles
The weather doesn't really seem to be a factor anymore for me. The weather station said today was 74F with 85% humidity, but to me it felt cool and I got sucked in to running faster than I should have. I ended up with 8:08, 7:39, 7:35, 7:45 and 7:32 without even really pushing that hard but I know I need to run slower, especially less than 48 hours after a long run.
74F, 85% - but felt cool
Stats: 5 miles, 38:44, 7:44/mile average pace
Wednesday: Planned: 7 miles - Actual: 7 miles
Success - I actually managed to run an entire 7 miles at a slower pace! I felt great at the start again today and with the cooler weather (70F, 87% humidity) it was hard to stay around 8:30/mile, but after 3 miles of fighting the urge to go faster I settled in to a rhythm and ended up with 8:33, 8:28, 8:23, 8:34, 8:34, 8:35 and 8:24.
Stats: 7 miles, 59:35, 8:30/mile average pace
Thursday: Planned: 3 miles - Actual: 5 miles (Trail)
On an overcast and cool morning I decided to head back to the Nature Park and run on the trails. The Border Trail is around 2.2 miles, so I typically only end up running it once on a 5 mile morning given the distance from the house to the trail. I decided that I really wanted to run the Border Trail loop twice to get some more miles on the packed mud instead of the pavement so I walked nearer to the park before starting my run. I nearly got the distance right, but was about 1/4 of a mile off and had to walk the last part of the trail once I hit the 5 mile mark - and then walk the mile home! I'll walk nearer to the park before starting my run next week.
Stats: 5 miles, 49:27, 9:53/mile average pace
Friday: Planned: Rest - Actual: Rest
I just did an upper body and core workout today. 3 x 10 dumbbell curls, 3 x 10 overhead presses, 3 x 10 seated rowers, 3 x 10 press ups and 3 x 30 seconds plank.
Saturday: Planned: 7 miles - Actual: 7 miles @ Marathon Pace
I started later than normal today (11am) and ran 7 miles at Marathon Pace with my hand held water bottle. I settled in to a rhythm quickly and ran what felt like an even effort over the hilly course.
Stats: 7 miles, 58:36, 8:21/mile average pace
Sunday: Planned: 10 miles - Actual: 10 miles
I ran this 10 miler alone today as Steph was away for the weekend. I focused on running at a slower pace and keeping my effort to a minimum. I ran from the house in to Falls River and down to the Upper Neuse Greenway. They have made great progress over the last few weeks and apart from a unfinished 20 yards or so, I ran out to Falls of Neuse Road and back. It really will be nice when the Greenway is finished!
Stats: 10 miles, 1:33:47, 9:22/mile average pace
Total for Week 6: 34 miles
My legs were tired after yesterdays long, hilly run in Umstead, so I just did an upper body and core workout today. 3 x 10 dumbbell curls, 3 x 10 overhead presses, 3 x 10 seated rowers, 3 x 10 press ups and 3 x 30 seconds plank.
Tuesday: Planned: 3 miles - Actual: 5 miles
The weather doesn't really seem to be a factor anymore for me. The weather station said today was 74F with 85% humidity, but to me it felt cool and I got sucked in to running faster than I should have. I ended up with 8:08, 7:39, 7:35, 7:45 and 7:32 without even really pushing that hard but I know I need to run slower, especially less than 48 hours after a long run.
74F, 85% - but felt cool
Stats: 5 miles, 38:44, 7:44/mile average pace
Wednesday: Planned: 7 miles - Actual: 7 miles
Success - I actually managed to run an entire 7 miles at a slower pace! I felt great at the start again today and with the cooler weather (70F, 87% humidity) it was hard to stay around 8:30/mile, but after 3 miles of fighting the urge to go faster I settled in to a rhythm and ended up with 8:33, 8:28, 8:23, 8:34, 8:34, 8:35 and 8:24.
Stats: 7 miles, 59:35, 8:30/mile average pace
Thursday: Planned: 3 miles - Actual: 5 miles (Trail)
On an overcast and cool morning I decided to head back to the Nature Park and run on the trails. The Border Trail is around 2.2 miles, so I typically only end up running it once on a 5 mile morning given the distance from the house to the trail. I decided that I really wanted to run the Border Trail loop twice to get some more miles on the packed mud instead of the pavement so I walked nearer to the park before starting my run. I nearly got the distance right, but was about 1/4 of a mile off and had to walk the last part of the trail once I hit the 5 mile mark - and then walk the mile home! I'll walk nearer to the park before starting my run next week.
Stats: 5 miles, 49:27, 9:53/mile average pace
Friday: Planned: Rest - Actual: Rest
I just did an upper body and core workout today. 3 x 10 dumbbell curls, 3 x 10 overhead presses, 3 x 10 seated rowers, 3 x 10 press ups and 3 x 30 seconds plank.
Saturday: Planned: 7 miles - Actual: 7 miles @ Marathon Pace
I started later than normal today (11am) and ran 7 miles at Marathon Pace with my hand held water bottle. I settled in to a rhythm quickly and ran what felt like an even effort over the hilly course.
Stats: 7 miles, 58:36, 8:21/mile average pace
Sunday: Planned: 10 miles - Actual: 10 miles
I ran this 10 miler alone today as Steph was away for the weekend. I focused on running at a slower pace and keeping my effort to a minimum. I ran from the house in to Falls River and down to the Upper Neuse Greenway. They have made great progress over the last few weeks and apart from a unfinished 20 yards or so, I ran out to Falls of Neuse Road and back. It really will be nice when the Greenway is finished!
Stats: 10 miles, 1:33:47, 9:22/mile average pace
Total for Week 6: 34 miles
Monday, August 8, 2011
Marathon Training Week 5
Monday: Planned: Rest - Actual: Rest
I felt great after this morning after yesterdays long run but struggled to find the time in the day to do any strength exercises. I did manage to squeeze in 3 x 10 toe raises, 3 x 30 seconds balance on one leg, 3 x 10 single leg squats but that was about it.
Tuesday: Planned: 3 miles - Actual: 5 miles (Baby Jogger)
Even though the temperature (74F) and humidity (88%) were still high, it seemed to feel cooler. I ran with Jack along the Greenway and I made sure to keep the pace nice and easy.
Stats: 5 miles, 41:44, 8:20/mile average pace
Wednesday: Planned: 7 miles - Actual: 7 miles (Baby Jogger)
Jack and I went back to Falls River today for our 7 miler. It felt like another cool day even though the temperature (76F) and humidity (75%) were still high - maybe I am finally becoming acclimatized to the heat and humidity! I saw a couple of other runners running hill repeats on one of the hills (I was running down it as they were running up) which just reinforced the fact that this route certainly wasn't flat! The blister that had appeared from the manufacturing defeat in my shoe last week had been quiet until today (until the last mile of the run in fact) as the Band-Aid that I had covering it moved out of position and the skin became irritated.
Stats: 7 miles, 58:37, 8:22/mile average pace
Thursday: Planned: 3 miles - Actual: 5 miles (Trail)
I ran solo today and headed to the trails in Durant Nature Park for a change of scenery and pace. I was great to pull on my trail shoes for the first time in a couple of months and run on the packed dirt trails.
Stats: 5 miles, 46:40, 9:19/mile average pace
Friday: Planned: Rest - Actual: Rest
I did an upper and lower body workout today consisting of 3 x 10 toe raises, 3 x 30 seconds balance on one leg, 3 x 10 single leg squats, 3 x 10 dumbbell curls, 3 x 10 overhead presses, 3 x 10 standing rowers and 3 x 10 press ups.
Saturday: Planned: 7 miles - Actual: 7 miles @ Marathon Pace
Thunderstorms bought some much needed rain to the area overnight and they continued until about 9:30am. I got out the door at 10am and managed to get a couple of miles in before the rain started. It was actually quite nice to run in the rain as it was humid and the rain made it feel like I was running in a warm shower. I ran at something like Marathon Pace today and felt like I had to keep slowing myself down, which I think is a good sign!
Stats: 7 miles, 58:25, 8:20/mile average pace
Sunday: Planned: 14 miles - Actual: 14 miles
Steph and I returned to Umstead to run a route that included just over 5 miles of the Marathon Course. The five miles includes a couple of decent size hills (one is a 160ft climb in 0.9 of a mile and the other is 120ft in 0.65 of a mile) and we are planning on practicing on them as much as we can over the coming months. Overall our 14 miles included over 1100ft in elevation gain on a sunny, warm morning. The 14 miles today took me to 38 miles for the week, which equals my record for one week. Next week is a cut-back week (34 miles total) to allow my body to recover before another mileage increase.
Stats: 14 miles, 2:24:54, 10:20/mile average pace
Total for Week 5: 38 miles
I felt great after this morning after yesterdays long run but struggled to find the time in the day to do any strength exercises. I did manage to squeeze in 3 x 10 toe raises, 3 x 30 seconds balance on one leg, 3 x 10 single leg squats but that was about it.
Tuesday: Planned: 3 miles - Actual: 5 miles (Baby Jogger)
Even though the temperature (74F) and humidity (88%) were still high, it seemed to feel cooler. I ran with Jack along the Greenway and I made sure to keep the pace nice and easy.
Stats: 5 miles, 41:44, 8:20/mile average pace
Wednesday: Planned: 7 miles - Actual: 7 miles (Baby Jogger)
Jack and I went back to Falls River today for our 7 miler. It felt like another cool day even though the temperature (76F) and humidity (75%) were still high - maybe I am finally becoming acclimatized to the heat and humidity! I saw a couple of other runners running hill repeats on one of the hills (I was running down it as they were running up) which just reinforced the fact that this route certainly wasn't flat! The blister that had appeared from the manufacturing defeat in my shoe last week had been quiet until today (until the last mile of the run in fact) as the Band-Aid that I had covering it moved out of position and the skin became irritated.
Stats: 7 miles, 58:37, 8:22/mile average pace
Thursday: Planned: 3 miles - Actual: 5 miles (Trail)
I ran solo today and headed to the trails in Durant Nature Park for a change of scenery and pace. I was great to pull on my trail shoes for the first time in a couple of months and run on the packed dirt trails.
Stats: 5 miles, 46:40, 9:19/mile average pace
Friday: Planned: Rest - Actual: Rest
I did an upper and lower body workout today consisting of 3 x 10 toe raises, 3 x 30 seconds balance on one leg, 3 x 10 single leg squats, 3 x 10 dumbbell curls, 3 x 10 overhead presses, 3 x 10 standing rowers and 3 x 10 press ups.
Saturday: Planned: 7 miles - Actual: 7 miles @ Marathon Pace
Thunderstorms bought some much needed rain to the area overnight and they continued until about 9:30am. I got out the door at 10am and managed to get a couple of miles in before the rain started. It was actually quite nice to run in the rain as it was humid and the rain made it feel like I was running in a warm shower. I ran at something like Marathon Pace today and felt like I had to keep slowing myself down, which I think is a good sign!
Stats: 7 miles, 58:25, 8:20/mile average pace
Sunday: Planned: 14 miles - Actual: 14 miles
Steph and I returned to Umstead to run a route that included just over 5 miles of the Marathon Course. The five miles includes a couple of decent size hills (one is a 160ft climb in 0.9 of a mile and the other is 120ft in 0.65 of a mile) and we are planning on practicing on them as much as we can over the coming months. Overall our 14 miles included over 1100ft in elevation gain on a sunny, warm morning. The 14 miles today took me to 38 miles for the week, which equals my record for one week. Next week is a cut-back week (34 miles total) to allow my body to recover before another mileage increase.
Stats: 14 miles, 2:24:54, 10:20/mile average pace
Total for Week 5: 38 miles
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
800 miles!
Today I passed 800 miles for 2011 (215 days), last year I only ran a total 648 miles!
Here are my stats for the year to date according to Garmin Connect.
Here are my stats for the year to date according to Garmin Connect.
| Activities | 132 |
| Calendar Days | 215 |
| Total Distance | 802.73 miles |
| Average Distance | 6.08 miles/activity |
| Time | 114hr 17min 85sec |
| Elevation Gain | 26436 ft |
| Calories | 90234 |
Monday, August 1, 2011
Marathon Training Week 4
Monday: Planned: Rest - Actual: Rest
The 8 mile run at the end of Week 3 really seemed to take it's toll on my body and my legs ached all day today, so I was cautious and took a complete rest day today. I did manage to get to the running store an purchase a new pair of New Balance Minimus Road in a larger size in the hope that my toes would start to feel better.
Tuesday: Planned: 3 miles - Actual: 5 miles
Jack slept until 7am this morning, so I ran without the Baby Jogger. Maybe it was running without the Baby Jogger, but today's run felt easier. The temperature was down slightly (73F) but the humidity was still quite high (90%). The new shoes felt good and my toes felt like they had plenty of space to move around.
Stats: 5 miles, 38:40, 7:44/mile average pace
Wednesday: Planned: 6 miles - Actual: 6 miles (Baby Jogger)
After running a little too fast yesterday in new shoes (which upset my calf muscles), I decided to make a conscious effort to run slower today and ran with my calf sleeves on. It was slightly more humid (95%) but still nicer than last week. I ran with Jack and apart from one mile (8:19) we ran all of the miles at around 8:30/mile pace, which I was much happier with.
Stats: 6 miles, 51:07, 8:31/mile average pace
Thursday: Planned: 3 miles - Actual: 5 miles (Baby Jogger)
Jack and I ran at the NCRC Social run this evening and had a great run. It was hot (97F) but the sun was behind clouds for most of the run, so it didn't feel too bad. I wore my calf sleeves again as my calf muscles still felt upset from wearing the new shoes (which I found surprising as they were exactly the same as I had been wearing, just a size bigger). We couldn't do the route that the rest of the group ran as I wouldn't be able to get the Baby Jogger up the steps on the Greenway, so we ran our normal route out towards Shelley Lake.
Stats: 5 miles, 41:12, 8:13/mile average pace
Friday: Planned: Rest - Actual: Rest
I did an upper and lower body workout today consisting of 3 x 10 toe raises, 3 x 30 seconds balance on one leg, 3 x 10 single leg squats, 3 x 10 dumbbell curls, 3 x 10 overhead presses, 3 x 10 standing rowers, 3 x 10 press ups, 3 x 10 squats and 3 x 25 sit ups for a full body workout.
Saturday: Planned: 6 miles @ Marathon Pace - Actual: 6 miles (Baby Jogger)
I had mentioned last week that I wasn't enjoying running the entire length of the Greenway twice on the 6 mile run days, so today I decided to go and run in a different area (Falls River and Bedford). I knew that it was just over 3 miles from Durant road to the the new Upper Neuse Greenway entrance and that early on a Saturday morning would be quiet enough for me to run with Jack on the road (in to traffic of course). It was warmer (81F) but less humid (71%) than it had been for the last couple of weeks and there was also a nice breeze that made it feel like a great morning for a run. I had driven along the route before, but had never run along it and I was surprised that it wasn't as flat as I thought. In fact, the 3 miles out are mostly downhill and the 3 miles back are mostly up hill like a set of stairs. Pushing Jack up hills is no fun, and it certainly wasn't easy getting him up the last few, but overall the run was more enjoyable than running on the Greenway. Towards the end of the run I felt a blister beginning to form on the bottom of my right foot and when I got home I found out why - there was a small manufacturing defect in my shoe that had an additional piece of fabric that hadn't been trimmed correctly. I decided to return my shoes and get another pair (as they were brand new) instead of trying to fix it myself. I ended up not being able to get the same size (10), but ended up with a half size smaller (9.5) which still gave my toes the room they needed.
Stats: 6 miles, 48:57, 8:09/mile average pace
Sunday: Planned: 13 miles - Actual: 13 miles
Today Steph, Christopher and I headed out to Umstead to run part of the Marathon course. We plan on running in Umstead as much as we can on "Long Run" days and this was our first trip together. We started out a little later than normal at 8:45am when it was already hot (75F) and humid (90%). We ran at an easy pace through the entire hilly run (nearly 1000ft of elevation gain) and took a few walk breaks to recover after climbing some of the more difficult hills. I was drenched from head to toe in sweat after the first few miles but apart from being annoying, it didn't have any adverse effect on my running and we completed the full 13 miles that we had planned for the day. We made sure to stay hydrated and refill our water bottles whenever we passed a water fountain and made if back to the car just as the heavens opened and dumped what felt like a months worth of rain in just a few minutes.
Stats: 13 miles, 2:16:45, 10:31/mile average pace
Total for Week 4: 35 miles
The 8 mile run at the end of Week 3 really seemed to take it's toll on my body and my legs ached all day today, so I was cautious and took a complete rest day today. I did manage to get to the running store an purchase a new pair of New Balance Minimus Road in a larger size in the hope that my toes would start to feel better.
Tuesday: Planned: 3 miles - Actual: 5 miles
Jack slept until 7am this morning, so I ran without the Baby Jogger. Maybe it was running without the Baby Jogger, but today's run felt easier. The temperature was down slightly (73F) but the humidity was still quite high (90%). The new shoes felt good and my toes felt like they had plenty of space to move around.
Stats: 5 miles, 38:40, 7:44/mile average pace
Wednesday: Planned: 6 miles - Actual: 6 miles (Baby Jogger)
After running a little too fast yesterday in new shoes (which upset my calf muscles), I decided to make a conscious effort to run slower today and ran with my calf sleeves on. It was slightly more humid (95%) but still nicer than last week. I ran with Jack and apart from one mile (8:19) we ran all of the miles at around 8:30/mile pace, which I was much happier with.
Stats: 6 miles, 51:07, 8:31/mile average pace
Thursday: Planned: 3 miles - Actual: 5 miles (Baby Jogger)
Jack and I ran at the NCRC Social run this evening and had a great run. It was hot (97F) but the sun was behind clouds for most of the run, so it didn't feel too bad. I wore my calf sleeves again as my calf muscles still felt upset from wearing the new shoes (which I found surprising as they were exactly the same as I had been wearing, just a size bigger). We couldn't do the route that the rest of the group ran as I wouldn't be able to get the Baby Jogger up the steps on the Greenway, so we ran our normal route out towards Shelley Lake.
Stats: 5 miles, 41:12, 8:13/mile average pace
Friday: Planned: Rest - Actual: Rest
I did an upper and lower body workout today consisting of 3 x 10 toe raises, 3 x 30 seconds balance on one leg, 3 x 10 single leg squats, 3 x 10 dumbbell curls, 3 x 10 overhead presses, 3 x 10 standing rowers, 3 x 10 press ups, 3 x 10 squats and 3 x 25 sit ups for a full body workout.
Saturday: Planned: 6 miles @ Marathon Pace - Actual: 6 miles (Baby Jogger)
I had mentioned last week that I wasn't enjoying running the entire length of the Greenway twice on the 6 mile run days, so today I decided to go and run in a different area (Falls River and Bedford). I knew that it was just over 3 miles from Durant road to the the new Upper Neuse Greenway entrance and that early on a Saturday morning would be quiet enough for me to run with Jack on the road (in to traffic of course). It was warmer (81F) but less humid (71%) than it had been for the last couple of weeks and there was also a nice breeze that made it feel like a great morning for a run. I had driven along the route before, but had never run along it and I was surprised that it wasn't as flat as I thought. In fact, the 3 miles out are mostly downhill and the 3 miles back are mostly up hill like a set of stairs. Pushing Jack up hills is no fun, and it certainly wasn't easy getting him up the last few, but overall the run was more enjoyable than running on the Greenway. Towards the end of the run I felt a blister beginning to form on the bottom of my right foot and when I got home I found out why - there was a small manufacturing defect in my shoe that had an additional piece of fabric that hadn't been trimmed correctly. I decided to return my shoes and get another pair (as they were brand new) instead of trying to fix it myself. I ended up not being able to get the same size (10), but ended up with a half size smaller (9.5) which still gave my toes the room they needed.
Stats: 6 miles, 48:57, 8:09/mile average pace
Sunday: Planned: 13 miles - Actual: 13 miles
Today Steph, Christopher and I headed out to Umstead to run part of the Marathon course. We plan on running in Umstead as much as we can on "Long Run" days and this was our first trip together. We started out a little later than normal at 8:45am when it was already hot (75F) and humid (90%). We ran at an easy pace through the entire hilly run (nearly 1000ft of elevation gain) and took a few walk breaks to recover after climbing some of the more difficult hills. I was drenched from head to toe in sweat after the first few miles but apart from being annoying, it didn't have any adverse effect on my running and we completed the full 13 miles that we had planned for the day. We made sure to stay hydrated and refill our water bottles whenever we passed a water fountain and made if back to the car just as the heavens opened and dumped what felt like a months worth of rain in just a few minutes.
Stats: 13 miles, 2:16:45, 10:31/mile average pace
Total for Week 4: 35 miles
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
