Last of July

Time: 31:15
Avg HR: 152
Peak HR: 173
Calories: 474
Distance: 3.7
Start Time: 6:24 AM
Training Effect: 4.0
Temp: foggy and humid
Date: 7/31/07

Got a moderate run in this AM. It felt pretty good though I was feeling the Sunday-10K. The first 90 seconds of this run felt like an eternity to me for some reason and I wasn't sure how I was going to run for 30 minutes. I passed a woman on an uphill and that gave me a little boost and on I went. It was really foggy this AM and though my alarm went off at 5:30 AM I rolled over for a bit until it burned off a bit by 6 -- the 'hood was completely blanketed by fog and I couldn't see a thing outside my window when I first awoke.

It was so humid today that at the end of the run, sweat or atmospheric moisture was condensing on the hair on my arms and legs. I don't know which it was -- though I think it was atmospheric moisture because the droplets were tiny, perfect spheres. It seems counter intuitive that while hot and sweaty one would have condensation on his arms and legs. The only explanation I can figure is that the hair on my arms, soaked in sweat was cooler than the air and therefore things were condensing. That's it for Mr. Science. Five more runs before Falmouth.

10K

Time: 51:18
Avg HR: 162
Peak HR: 180
Calories: 835
Distance: 6.21
Start Time: 8:01 AM
Training Effect: 5.0
Temp: hot and humid
Date: 7/29/07

SO I got one my needed +50 minute runs in on Sunday. I lounged for a bit in the AM and it was really too hot to do so. I just need to get up and go early. I sweated for probably 40 minutes after finishing -- and not just droplets on the brow, i mean soaking through my shorts so it was like I'd been swimming, running down my back and dripping off of finhertips. I must admit that I walked for about 1 minute to get everything all aligned again at around the 5 mile mark. Also . . . the front of my shirt was blood stained at the end -- the dreaded chafed nipples. I'll do the route again this Sunday in my final long tune up Falmouth which goes off on 12 August. All in all though, I think I'm in a good place for my goal of sub-60 if all goes well. I also feel pretty good today, not much soreness in the legs though I am enjoying my off day but looking forward to tomorrow's trot which I'll probably keep on the shorter side.

Mental Game

Time: 35:26
Avg HR: 154
Peak HR: 178
Calories: 591
Distance: TBD
Start Time: 6:03 AM
Training Effect: 4.5
Temp: 62 F (90% Rel. Humidity)
Date: 7/27/07

This is such a mental thing, running. Yesterday was my day, but I couldn't do it. Like last week, this week has been a grind at work that's leaving me mentally (& physically) tired. Child One lost her stuffed kitty, Meowser, on Wednesday (we found her the next day, it's a good story). We were so bummed out about the possibility of losing Meowser that we were both just wiped. It sounds crazy but that added bit of baggage just kept me in the rack -- i was up at 5:30, I couldn't roll out though.

So, I went today. I took it easy in the first third or so, ran a decent hill and then just sort of fell into a good pace with a strong last mile. It was humid again but this Friday it didn't destroy me. I'm just focusing on heeding temp/humidity and the signs from my body about how to proceed. I need to map this course to get a sense of distance. I'm enjoying the running-for-time thing but without any exact understanding of distance I'm not sure where I stand in relation to my goals for the Falmouth RR which happens in two weeks. That's created a bit of anxiety for me. I'm looking to get a 50-53 minute run in this weekend -- maybe tomorrow to up my weekly run count, or maybe Sunday to start next week strongly. I'll let you know either way.

Adaptation

Time: 35:46
Avg HR: 151
Peak HR: 174
Calories: 539
Distance: ~4 miles
Start Time: 5:50 AM
Training Effect: 4.2
Temp: 62 F (94% Rel. Humidity)
Date: 7/24/07

Today was another really humid day so I adapted my pace and took it slower. It worked and I was able to run where I wanted to, and finish the whole, planned route. It was a bit tough on the breathing front but going out for first mile at 8:52 was wiser than 8:15 -- which is what I did last Friday. I had capacity to pick up the tempo in the later portion of the run and finish strong. I haven't done the pedometer for this course so I don't have an actual per-mile-pace, but the tempo picked up over the last half. All in all, it was a good run.

VT-127

I took a lovely 35 minute run up VT-127 this Saturday. I had to redeem myself after my horrid run on Friday AM and it was perfect weather to do so. The scenery was nice with frequent glimpses of Lake Champlain along the way. I love running in new place and this was a road that I've never run down before -- I've only ever driven to one spot and then turned down another road -- so it was all new to me. It was great and so refreshing to run someplace new. It was also interesting to see the eclectic mix of suburban-style split levels, mobile homes and old 19 century brick houses that makes up the architecture in that neck of the woods. The road had a pretty wide shoulder in both directions and it wasn't as hairy as running on country roads often is. One of the more interesting things that I saw along the route was a large wild-grape patch -- it looks as if the wild grape harvest will be pretty good.

Devoured

Time: 30:06
Avg HR: 160
Peak HR: 180
Calories: 526
Distance: 3ish miles
Start Time: 6:15 AM
Training Effect: 4.5
Temp: 62 F (92% Rel. Humidity)
Date: 7/20/07

Well there have a been a string of very positive, I love running/working out posts up here so let me interrupt the love fest with a tale of woe.

I ran for 30 minutes today and it was pretty much utter misery from the get go. I bailed near the end but am glad that I ran for 30 minutes which is what I told myself to reach from about 18 minutes on . . . I'd say the breakdown was 80% mental and 20% physical. On the mental side it's been a tough week at work prepping for a client pres yesterday; I left with a migraine on Wednesday; Child Two took a header off the bed yesterday morning and that was scary and stressful.

The weather was super humid and it felt like I was trying to breathe underwater the whole run. I went out too hard for the conditions and just didn't have the mental capacity to finish. I've said it before on this blog sometimes you eat the mile, sometimes they eat you -- today I was devoured.

Bachelor Run

Time: 37:52
Avg HR: 157
Peak HR: 177
Calories: 611
Distance: TBD miles
Start Time: 5:50 AM
Training Effect: 4.6
Temp: 58 F
Date: 7/17/07

Three fourths of the Agricolas were on Cape Cod yesterday, so I was bachelor guy last night. I missed my family but it was pretty relaxing last night, lounging on my porch, reading. I got to bed fairly early and out of the house with no distractions and no dirty diapers.

I need to run more, but I also need to stop partying. Last week was a party week, awash in cake and beer . . . not exactly optimal training diet. Anyway, I went out on one of my newer routes and it went pretty well, pretty quick. It's in the 4-5 mile range, probably middle-4s. There were tons of bikers out today, 3 pelotons of about 70 riders total went zipping by me today. No offense FA, but bikers are unfriendly. They look at me and I at them like alien creatures. Maybe our unfriendliness is just a mirror back at our ourselves -- maybe I'm an unfriendly runner. I was influenced by VTR's post about eye contact and testing a hypothesis on my trot.

The bikers are pretty superior and unfriendly -- I think it comes from the complexity and cost of their machines. They at least stare at you, but give no sign of recognition
The runners 'round here typically give a wave or some sort of nod, smile etc.
Some The friendliest and un-friendliest folks are the lady fitness walkers in their cotton tee-shirts and shorts. They can go either way: big happy smile, or utter disregard/lack of acknowledgment.

Happy Birthday

Time: 26:12
Avg HR: 154
Peak HR: 176
Calories: 380
Distance: 3.3 miles
Start Time: 5:51 AM
Training Effect: 3.7
Temp: 60
Date: 7/12/07

I kept it short today because it's Child One's birthday and I didn't want to make her wait to open gifts etc. while I pounded the pavement. It was pretty humid today. I always feel like it's harder to breathe in this type of weather. Not much to report, rally though it was a pretty day, with the sun coming up, into a clearing sky.

July Begins

Time: 30:59
Avg HR: 153
Peak HR: 171
Calories: 472
Distance: 3.7
Start Time: 7:36 AM
Training Effect: 4.0
Temp: low-60s
Date: 7/1/07

Took a quick little run. I went on one of my middle routes. I actually boogied pretty well and it felt good. Stretching it out like I am is paying dividends, I feel stronger. I'm going to the Cape this week for a five days -- my goal is to do two fivers. I'll let you know how it goes, and probably do one large post next weekend when I'm back online.

An addendum to my Friday, 6/29, run: Mrs. Agricola and I went to the Sox game on Friday night and walked from Fenway to Harvard Square afterwards -- so I got a little extra workout in in the form of a brisk 2.5 mile walk.