Third Morning Run

I started the day in Tampa/St. Pete, getting up at 6:15 to sneek in three miles before a 7:30 breakfast meeting. It was a helpful time, I was up earlier than anyone else at my hotel and the track where I run near this hotel (recall, beware of the alligators...) was empty. I was able to compose my thoughts for the breakfast meeting, which paid dividends. The run was a welcome respite from the road, and the work. That's three morning runs this week, all about the same distance. Trying for a long run ~6 miles, this weekend. Will post.

Crappy Week

I didn't get out this past week until Friday, in Tampa, Florida, early, around 6:00a. I ran for about 28 minutes. I got a little freaked by the sign that said, "Beware of Alligators." No lie.

Mrs. FA and I got out yesterday (Saturday) for 30 minutes in Rochester, NY. It was 19 degrees and the terrain was mixed -- some snow, some ice, some blacktop -- in her sister's neighborhood.

I'm finally back home after six days, hoping to have a regular week, with runs Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Peace, fellas.

Losing Count

I haven't been counting runs, as is my habit. But I had a good Central Park Reservoir run this week, on a very hot and humid Tuesday evening. Didn't think I could sweat so much. I broke down and did the unthinkable, removing my shirt and running in the park, topless. I pity my fellow runners who had to watch, but I was considerably more comfortable.

I brought my sneakers ro Lexington, KY for a Wednesday/Thursday business trip, aiming to run Thursday morning. Alas, I drank too much bourbon Wednesday night and slept in Thursday. I only roused myself to shower and dress in time for a breakfast meeting. It was super humid there, too.

Aiming for a 7 miler today in the Champlain Valley. Will post.

Peace, fellas.

Humidity is a Bee-atch

So here's what I've been doing:

Mrs. FA and I got down to Bermuda last Sunday for a few days alone. We got out for a run on Tuesday morning. The humidity was impressive, so we didn't go far. Spend the rest of the day kayaking and snorkeling and so redeemed the short run. We spend three very active days down there eating fish and drinking dark rum, so it was a worthwhile getaway and overall healthy interlude, but for the rum.

Friday, I ran the hilly uptown loop of the Park on another humid day in NYC.

Today in the steaming Champlain Valley I set out from church and planned to run to the lake, a distance of about 6 miles. I stopped around mile 4.5 with painful blisters in my heels. I was wearing very low cut socks, and the tops of my shoes wore down the skin on my lower achilles. I stopped, took off the shoes, walked the mile to the house, found a better pair of socks, and finished the run. When I arrived, I probably spent 45 minutes sitting still in the lake, cooling down. It is about 89 degrees up here, and humid.

Happy to hear of Agricola's solid time at Falmouth.

Peace, fellas.

Run 18, San Antonio

I got out for a short run in San Antonio along the famous riverwalk, which, by the way, if filing for bankruptcy! Anyway, I got run 18 squeezed in between meetings on Tuesday. It was hot in Texas and I had a good sweat, which I haven't had while running since probably October.

3 Days, 3 Runs, 3 Continents

...and 60 degree difference in the temps! I'm sticking to running 2-3 miles a day until all injuries heal. Managed to run Sunday before flying out for this weeks business trip. Ran in London in Hyde Park, very cool. Makes me envious of FA running in the park. After a 12 hour redeye, I headed out for a quick 2 to start the metabolism again. Ran along the Singapore River at around 10 AM local time. Mistake. Very hot and humid (90+). Needless to say the body isn't acclimated for that kind of heat after the winter we've had. Headed out this morning for my 4th run at 7:30 AM and it was bearable. Hoping the warmer weather helps with the joints. I'm jonesing for some real training runs!

Run 5

I've been called out. I deserve it.

I ran SLOWLY for 30 minutes on a treadmill at a very nice gym in Saint Louis yesterday morning. Have to say that this particular treadmill has given me second thoughts on treadmills, about which I've complained before. Yesterday's treadmill was all tricked out, way more comfortable than the one in our basement gym. It had more useful features and its own TELEVISION. Nice!

Between work and the cold weather, 2009 has been tough for my running. (This post is Run 5 for '09.) Interestingly, it just occurred to me today that the decline in running must be contributing to my palpably heightened stress this year. So a greater effort I must make.

Sunday is the NYRR Gridiron 4-miler, and Mrs. FA has convinced me to stay in the race. She's been running like a jackrabbit lately, so I plan to throw myself at the race and try to keep up with her lovely form. I'm certain to underperform my December 4-miler, though props to Agricola for pointing out its usefeulness as a baseline. And if I can run 2x before Sunday, bully for me.

Peace, fellas.

P.S. I've got a great one coming for the "running as experience" crowd on the blog....will be in Milan for several days mid-February, and am bringing my running shoes.

Struggling in 09

I am struggling to get out on the road, boys, and stay out while I'm there. I've been out 2x in 09, and they were short, slow, uncomfortable, and lazy efforts. I have many theories about why it's so, none of them are satisfying.

So I am hoping that a change of pace helps. I am in San Francisco Mon - Thurs this week, and Boston on Friday, and aim to run at least 3x. So if any of you guys wants to join me for an EARLY run Friday morning in Boston, I'm staying near Post Office Sq, and can send my coordinates by e-mail.

Peace, fellas.

Run 56, Michigan Avenue

Checked another box this week with a run down Michigan Avenue in Chicago, yesterday afternoon. I didn't calculate distance. I ran from my hotel for roughly 15 minutes and then back again, with a short walk along the lakeshore at the turnaround point to think and enjoy the scenery. I got out at 7:00am, it was 25 degrees, and I had a low grade hangover, so not my most auspicious run. Still, I continue to enjoy taking advantage of my travel schedule to get out and run in different cities.

Holiday 4 miler is a week from Saturday, or at least four more runs from now.

Short story from run 55: so I was chugging past the mid-point on my usual 5k loop, by the pump station on the downtown side of the resevoir, when I caught sight of a fetching youngster, strecthing, turned away from me, in tights and a snug yellow windbreaker. I thought, wow! Here's motivation. I wonder if she'll head in my direction. Then the runner turned towards me. It was a dude.