Go Long!

I ran just under five miles this morning at about 11:00 AM. My Garmin ran out of juice, so I had to estimate, but I was able to drive the course for mileage. I ran "around the block" at the Nature Center. It was a beautiful day and I actually felt pretty good throughout the run. I was worried because I still felt the effects of Saturday's run a little, more in my calves than anywhere, but I felt great after only a quarter of a mile. My stride is coming back and I felt like I was running faster than I did all last week without any more work.

My calves are probably sore because I've concentrated on leaning forward just a little and landing mid-foot instead of on my heels. I'm getting better turnover and efficiency, but the change, even though it's slight, is working my lower legs just a little more.

I ran a second time this afternoon at about 3:30. I went west from the house on the old route past the new golf course. It was a balmy 57 degrees, so I ran in shorts and a couple of long sleeve shirts. The run felt great and was mostly uneventful except for the monstrous mud puddle next to the roundabout where Ivory is putting in the homes. I had to walk through that on the way out and on the way back.

They've had that road closed for so long I forgot the mileage. I wanted to run 3 but after checking with Google realized I'd run a little over four. That makes 10 for the day! If I feel okay tomorrow, I'll keep it up and be very grateful I got to my daily goal so soon. I want to add some daytime, recess miles and then I'll start moving afternoon miles to morning so I run 10 all at one time on a consistent basis. Big plans!

I had to move my consulting meeting (David) from afternoon to morning, so I missed my morning run. In order to build my miles, I decided to combine my runs and go long this afternoon. If I'd have run twice or maybe three times I could probably have done ten miles today, but since I'm still building and I only had one shot, I decided to try about 7. It worked out fine. I'm settling into a good stride, landing more mid-foot and getting better turnover. My speed is improving although I'm trying not to pay much attention to that... not until I feel comfortable with 70-80 miles a week and I've reached my "running weight."

It was a beautiful day, about 45 degrees. I saw other people running in t-shirts and shorts. They must be more warm blooded than I. Tights, three layers on my core, gloves and a stocking cap still felt pretty good to me. I hate being cold!

Had a little pain in my left arch early in my run, but it had gone away by the end. Felt the urge to whiz towards the end, but when I went into the bushes I had nothing. Nothing! Just stood there like a kid with stage fright. Obviously I must be a little dehydrated ("if you're not sloshing, you're joshing; not ----ing, you're missing" with apologies to anybody who reads this and feels it's not family friendly), but I don't feel dehydrated and I drink enough water to get up in the night a couple of times. So, I'll ask the bloggers about hydration. Let's see what they have to say...

I hoped to run 7.0 but came up short because I didn't have my Garmin with me and couldn't remember exact distances on the route. I got out late (about 11:30AM. I went west from Clinton past the new Ivory golf course. I shared the run with an eagle or an osprey which kept flying from pole to pole in front of me. His effortless flight was inspiring. Regardless, the run was difficult and I was dragging near the end. I was "stumping" a little in spite of my best efforts to watch my form. I have a blister on the second toe of my right foot to show for it. I'll try to get out to do 3.5 miles this afternoon.

I ran the loop around the nature park and then north towards the school until the trail heads west. i parked my car in the park next to the roundabout so I was able to get fluids at about mile 3.5. The wind was horrible and in spite of clear skies it was pretty cold. Yesterday's snow had drifted all over the trail so I ran in snow and ice about 40% of the time. On my second leg, when I headed west past the school, I ran for about a quarter of a mile in 8-12 inches of snow. It was a great workout for my legs and probably good for my feet. I started my run at about 2:00, so I didn't get a second one in today. I'll probably only get one run in tomorrow, so serious two-a-days will have to start next week.

Ran west from my house past Ivory Homes and the new golf course to the intersection 1/2 mile west of the main road into Hooper, went south to loop around that block and return home by retracing my steps from the main road home. Had to run on the main road for 3/4 mile with afternoon traffic. I thought I might get run over. It's very narrow with no place for runners and high speed traffic. Pretty uneventful run except for that stretch of near death running. Didn't stop during the run except for the mud hole by Ivory's model home. Slow pace (about 10 minute miles), but I'm building and that was my goal. I'm not going to worry about time until I've run several 70 mile weeks. It was cold and this was a stretch. I think I'll go to SLC early tomorrow and get 10 in familiar territory on the JRT.

Drove to Salt Lake to run the JRT from 48th to Gardner Village and back. Ran into Dr. Shaw, which was a delight as I had been hoping to track her down. She warned me that Murray to Gardner Village had not been plowed. That third of the run was a mess on uneven, poorly packed snow. I slip-slided for about three miles there, but it was probably good for my feet and lower legs. Other than that, I ran pretty well getting into the 8 minute mile range in the last few miles. I actually overtook a runner, only to find out she was running 24 miles today. (Big accomplishment!) Spent the afternoon with Mom and Dad in Provo.