Run 9

Gents! Got out for about 38 minutes today on my old standby, the resevoir loop. It took 38 minutes because I walked for about 1/4 of the route. I feel like I need to get my lungs back, and it was cold, which didn't help. But it's a beautful mid-winter morning in NYC, and it was a pleasure to be up and about.

The FreeArtists' late Winter and early Spring weekends are filling up. For running events, I am looking at a another 4-miler in March (this one's for colon cancer. Sheesh.) and a 10k in May. Need to think about that some more. Will advise.

Run 57

Took a typical turn around the resevoir tonight. I was a complete stress-ball after work, and needed the run. Nothing remarkable about it, except the cold. That, too, faded in importance, around mile 2.

Peace, fellas.

Run 55

Checked the box tonight. Run 55 was my usual 5k loop around the resevoir, which I haven't run in a few weeks. Ran it in 30.30, not great for me, not bad for me, either. If I stick to my plan the race of 12/13 will be run 60, a round number. I like that.

Run 49

I got out tonight with a plan, for a change. I aimed to run the first mile in 10, then speed up to 9 minutes for the second mile, and try for 8 on the third.

Well, the first two miles went as planned. My HR was in the mid 170s for nearly all of mile 2, and when I hit mile 3 I was certain I could not speed up and sustain a faster pace. So I dropped the HR to 165-ish for the next half mile, then took it up over 170 again for the last half mile. Finished 5k in 30 minutes, 29 seconds, not as fast as I'd hoped.

Average HR was 168 and Max HR was 181, both higher than usual. I'm starting to appreciate the HR monitor's value for pacing again.

I've laid out a schedule to get in 13 more runs before the Dec 13 holiday race. I've got a bit of travel in there, Tampa next week, Chicago after Thanksgiving, so we'll see.

Peace, boys

Run 48

Nothing remarkable to report. It was a typical 5k run around the resevoir. I did slow to a walk for a few minutes. I had reached my wit's end, trying to leap over or skirt around the innumerable puddles on the track. It rained off and on again all day.

After a bit of that I threw caution (and dry feet) to the side and just ran through the damn puddles. Harumph. Finished in 32.20.

There's a reindeer run the first weekend of December, in Schroon Lake, 20 mins from PH. I'll post the details once I find them.

Run 47

I ran my Res 5k in 30 mins, 34 seconds. Still adjusting to the fall of the year, I got out at 6:00pm, but it felt mush later. At that hour, it was good to see other runners along my route. I "reeled in" a few, as you guys often say here. I must have been working harder than ususal...average HR was 165, which I think is on the high side for me, and I hit 172 a few times on the flats. Thanks to Bennu for steering me back towards these metrics.

Run 43, Payday

I ran a PR on my 5k Resevoir loop, 29.23. It is my first sub-30 minute 5k distance, I am fairly sure, and I am pleased. It felt good the whole way, almost. It was cold and windy, but I was sporting new running shorts and windbreaker, purchased for the blustery downs of the Cape. Must have felt handsome.

The well assembled woman from run 42 made a point...I can turn it up and dial it back during the run, so long as I am in charge. That may be overly apparent to more experienced legs, but to now I've only set my route and then run to get through it, slow and steady. I've hit a milestone here and am thinking through the CCM to the next event.

I feel ready and excited to see everyone on Saturday night. I aim to get in a run Friday evening, nothing too strenuous. Then I'll be making meatballs for the pasta feed.

Later, boys.

Run # 42

Nothing remarkable about it. 5k resevoir loop, 31 minutes. I sped up to stay with a very fit, well assembled woman for about 150 yards, but went to far, too fast and gave up up whatever time I gained when I slowed to a walk for about 50 yards a few minutes later. Slow and steady will mean a strong finish for me on this one, boys.

Runs 36 and 37

Just checking the boxes so far this week. Ran an abridged resevoir loop on Monday night, not sure of the distance or the time, but I needed to get it in between a late arrival home and a still later conference call. Ran on the treadmil for 30 minutes tonight and put in a few sprints, which was new for me but good. Planning to run again after work Friday, with a long one on Sunday, hoping to get 5+ miles.

Here's a new one for the blog. I spent about 90 minutes on Sunday splitting logs. With a sledgehammer and wedges. I am sure it did nothing for the running, but afterwards, I felt like a Super Hero.

Later, boys.

Run 35

Ran the ususal 5k route in 33:06 last night. Weird night. It was the coolest evening so far this year, and it was late (I didn't get out until 8:10pm) and it was the big debate night, so maybe these factors conspired to keep my fellow runners at home. The Park was empty. I encountered only four runners on the whole loop, which was slightly unsettling, especially around the Resevoir. I had my antannae up more so than usual. I think my four fellow runners felt similarly, because I exchanged nods and waves with each one of them, and that is better than usual NYC running etiquette, in my experience. I think we were all comforted by each other's appearance.

Everyone who stayed in missed a beautiful night for running. Cool, breezy, and clear. I picked up the pace a bit in the second half, inspired by the downtown skyline that comes into view as you round the top of the Resevoir track. I've mentioned the view from there before. It's become my favorite in the City.

Only 3 1/2 weeks until CCM weekend. Thinking about making slight improvements in speed, experiementing with stride, etc. Trying to have fun. Looking forward to running with all of you.

A Slow #34

I rushed out to run my 5k out-and-around the resevoir loop loop loop last night; did it in 35 minutes. I had a fair bit of pain and fatigue in my right shin and ankle by the time I hit the mid-point. So I slowed to a walk for about 1/4 mile and then stretched it out for a good while, worried about splints. I need to treat myself delicately. Be more delliberate about stretching. Whenever I dash out, feeling confident and don't prepare, something bites me in the end. Hubris. We've discussed it on this blog. Be wary.

Run 31

I attended a seminar today, uptown, starting at 9:30, so with Mrs. FA taking the girls to school I had a rare morning of leisure, with a run and a long shower and a late start to the day. I was super sluggish. It felt VERY different from my evening runs. 5k took me 33 minutes, 3 minutes longer than my last two 5k runs. It was a beautiful morning, though, and totally worth spending three more minutes outside.

Run 26

Run 26 was a very poor effort. Lots on my mind tonight, and my heart wasn't there. Very disappointed, but not concerned about Sunday's race, for which I feel fairly well prepared.

The NYC skyline this week features the twin beams shining into the dark sky where the World Trade Center still stood, seven years ago today.

Peace, fellas.

Run 25

I got out last Thursday (run 24) and again tonight for run 25. I ran 5k in 30 minutes and 26 seconds. I ran the first 1.5 miles feeling strong, dragged a bit for the middle mile, and pushed on the last half mile. Two laps around the resevoir is 5k, almost on the nut. I did the first lap in 14.26, the last lap in an even 16 minutes. I feel pretty good about the time.

The Komen 5k is Sunday. Please render your opinion on the plan: Wednesday I aim to run 4+ miles. I'm not going to focus on time, but want to know how it feels to run past the race distance. If I can leave the office early enough, I'll run the course on Friday. If I can't, I'll get in 5k closer to home. No running on Saturday. The race is 9:ooam Sunday. Planning to spend some time next week on the bike for a change of pace, then focus on the CCM.

Since the CCM requires that I get up to 10k in about five weeks, I'll look to the blog for advice, and inspiration.

Run 18

Got out on schedule last night for 36 minutes. Nothing unusual to report. Got some technical shirts, and so was a fair bit more comfortable sweating, and undoubtedly more handsome.

Run 17, Roughly

I got out at 8:30 last night, and it was a beautiful night to run in NYC. Temps in low 80s, minimal humidity, and a breeze. The skyline over the Resevoir was dazzling.

So I ran my (roughly) three mile route in (roughly) 33 minutes. I started stronger and faster than is typicaly for me, reaching the resevoir from my starting point, a distance of (roughly) one mile, in (roughly) 8:30, which is loads faster than my usual 10 - 11 minute mile shuffle. Though I did stop for a short walk in the second half.

I got home around 9:10 and had a late dinner. Maybe the combo of running and eating late kept me up and restless until about 2:00am. Rough stuff.

Run 15 - A Great One

With the little FAs neatly ensconsed with my folks, Mrs. FA and I hit the road together and covered a bit over 3 miles in about 30 minutes. It was a great run, one of my best. Steady breathing, feeling good the whole way.

I had complained of tightness in the right calf last week. I need to recharacterize this, it is greater fatique, earlier, in the right leg versus the left. It's been a persistent, but not distressing or debilitating issue. Mrs. FA ran behind me for a while and observed that my right leg swings differently from the left. I tried taking longer strides and focusing on planting my feet equal distances ahead on each, and it seemed to have an effect, but it was too late in the run to really tell. We'll see on the next one.

One highlight, as Mrs. FA and I were runing abreast, occasionally I sped up so that we could get around the walkers ahead of us, single file. Putting on these little bursts of speed was surprising. They required very little effort and felt great. So now thinking varying the pace during a run, rather than trying to keep it steady eddy for the whole route.

Ebb and Flow, Run 12

So running improvement isn't linear, meaning you don't feel progressively, incrementally better from run to run, but sometimes better, sometimes worse, with improvements felt over time...adding burritos to spinach pizza on my "don't eat before running" list...Peanut butter spread over graham crackers has worked best for me so far, so I'm sticking with that for now...after 8:00pm, the number of runners in Central Park falls off dramatically, but it may have also been the weather...the number of women runing alone at that hour surprised me...had my first unilateral discomfort last night, tightness in my right calf, which I had to stop and stretch 2x...wondering whether all this humid-weather running is going to pay dividends come Fall, when the weather cools, and the air clears...hills are tough, trying to get used to hills, leaning in, going slow...need to pick up a few technical shirts, the cotton gets sweat soaked and heavy...slogged though just under 3 miles last night in about 30 minutes...I like this distance, but thinking about what the next level should be, and how I'll get there...Peace, boys.

Run 11, Broke 3 Miles

I took two laps around the resevoir last night, a very hot, grey night in NYC. It occurred to me midway through lap one that I was breathing much more easily than before....slow and easy in, slow and easy out, a significant improvement. So this is working, and it is very encourgaing to see tangible results. Most of my discomfort was in my calves and shins, and after about 2.5 miles, groin, so more and better stretching is on the agenda.

After I finished my 2 laps (3.16 miles) I walked about 1/2 way home, then ran the remainder of the distance, about 10 blocks/0.5 miles.

Tell you what, no matter how much I actually run while I'm out, I always make sure I return to my building at a trot. My doorman is a fairly accomplished neighborhood athlete, and we chat about running every night as I leave the building in my shorts and kicks. He's very supportive and helpful, but I'll be damned if he sees me walking!

Run 8

I got out for 47 minutes and about 3 1/2 miles altogether, running for about 2 miles / 20 minutes. It's a beautiful night in NYC, hot but not humid, breezy, lots of runners in the Park. I fell in behind a guy who was running at exactly the pace I wanted to run, and so I stayed behind him for a while lest I speed up unnecessarily. After a while he started looking over his shoulder at me. I thought I was making him uncomfortable so I passed him by. I finally found the most direct route through the Park between my apartment and the resevoir. I figure the round trip is a bit more than three miles, and I aspire to making it my regular loop, and to running its entire length, routinely.