Epic Bluebird

This morning was so quintessentially fall gorgeous that I had to go out and run. I wasn't planning on it this AM but hopped on the epic bluebird day and went out for 4+. I was bit tired from last evening's run -- i'm rebuilding the base -- but it was a decent run, and I felt OK. The day was so gorgeous that it couldn't help but be a good run. As I finished, and started my walk off a hawk flew right down the middle of the street, and there was another doing cicrcles in the distance in one of the most crystalline sapphire colored skies I've ever seen. Some days, it's wonderful to be a runner.

Good Start

I had a good start to my running week yesterday and did 5.2 in 42:24. I went post church, like FA, and it was a breezy, chilly, windy day. Clouds scudded in and clouds blew away. As I finished my run it looked very November. There were many stretches with a stiff headwind and quite a few with a good cross wind that would buffet me in between houses or at intersections. It's pretty amazing how much a headwind can add to the work level -- there was one big gust that almost stopped me in my tracks and slowed me way down, and the road was flat. It was cool in a torturous way. I felt really good near the end. I caught one of those moments where running feels like gliding, the sound of your breath and your feet on the road disappear and you're just in the zone. I'm hopeful that I'm coming out of my down-cycle. Let's see what I do the rest of the week.
Sunday was a good start.

Strollering In The Rain

The kids and I laid out their stuff last night -- blanket, jacket, animal buddy, slippers. My stuff was organized and hanging in the cellar stairwell. C2 and I were up around 5:30, helping Mrs. A with C3. I awoke C1 and she climbed right out of bed. I put the stroller together once the kids were up, grabbed them each a mini bagel and hit the road at 6:35. We ran for 40:26 over 4.78 miles and came back quicker than we went out, though I walked a bit near the end because I was gassed. It was a dreary day and I might not have gone had I not promised both kids that I'd take them. It rained on us quite hard in the last mile and I passed a woman runner and we smiled at each other and commented on the lousy weather. The kids were good, by and large, but I did have to stop twice in the last mile to separate them. They are good for about 34 minutes in the stroller and after that it becomes a bit nutty. It was a great run and I'm ecstatic that they both want to go with me. This is a good thing.

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.

Afternoon, Again

I got out late afternoon again today for just about 34 minutes. I felt only so-so today but am glad that I got out. Yesterday's tightness was not present on the run but showed up afterward, definitely an allergic thing. I don't know how far today's route is but it's most likely somewhere in the neighborhood of 4.25-4.5 miles if I had to guess. I'll measure it one of these days. Terrific running weather. Again. That's it.

Pre-prandial

I got out today for a pre-prandial trot. I finished a little presentation I am working on for an internal project and shot it out to my team in an email at 5 PM that basically said of "check it out, feel free to comment/edit, we'll talk tomorrow, I'm going running. . . " I did my 5.2 mile route for the first time in a long time. I've had a mental block about going out for 5 for some reason and am glad that I got over it and got out today.  You'd think the 10K of a week ago would have helped, but there was something about running this route that was holding me back, not sure what, but I did it.

It took about 3 miles to get comfortable and find my rhythm but once I did it was smooth sailing.  I was disociating a lot for the first half, thinking about work etc. and not focusing on what I was doing. Once I embraced the run it fell into place and I finished strong and felt quick -- 41:21.9. The weather was perfect for running, dry and cool and the late day sunlight was gorgeous. I'm having some allergy thing right now (pretty typical at this time of year) with lots of PND and my chest is a bit constricted but nothing to keep me off of the roads.

Run 30!

I threw on another ~5ker tonight after work, before the long drive north. Same Central Park Resevoir route, same time, almost on the nose, 31.10 minuntes, as Run 29. It was a fresh, crisp afternoon, great for being outside. (I love running without finishing drenched with sweat.)

Mrs. FA threw on a 45 minute run along the East River today, immediately before a Home/School Association meeting at the little artists' school.

Lovin' NYC.

Run 29 et al

Had a great one last night. Temps in the 60s, clear skies, beautiful skyline. I ran my usual loop, hills and all, and felt good and strong the whole way. Not much more to say. I did pay more attention to my time along different segments of the route, and now think it is a half-mile longer than I thought previously. That would make it ~3.5 miles, and I ran it in 31 minutes flat.

Happy happy happy to have some cooler weather, and some new gear to shop for, long pants, windbreakers, et al. Putting on a new pair of running socks last night, I felt like Homer Simpson with a crispy creme. (Mmmmm.....wigwams......)