Ten Miles

In two days. Humph.

Thursday, December 6:

Perhaps I’m becoming accustomed to the dreadmill - it didn’t seem quite so onerous today. Time passed and then the four miles were gone, with a bit of a flourish at the end. North St Paul Community Center, time 35:38, pace 8:55, with the last two-tenths mile at 10 mph = 6 min/mi. I have some concern about staying on the track at that pace, so I hung on with both hands. I wonder if that makes the running easier or harder? Next time I’ll try one hand. It’s probably just a matter of getting used to the pace. Anyway that’s 20 miles on the week. Since I’ve run three days in a row I won’t be running Friday.

Still no activity indicating that the new track surface is to be installed. I wonder when that will begin. I have this pessimistic feeling that it could be months rather than weeks. Too bad they chose to close the track in the winter instead of the summer.

Wednesday, December 5:

Woodbury Runners, on snow-packed trails, 10 degrees out but no wind to speak of. When it gets this cold I have trouble keeping my face warm and keeping my glasses clear at the same time; if I cover enough of my face, then the glasses fog over. Today was right on the edge - eventually my face warmed and I was able to remove enough face cover to see properly too. A few degrees colder and I’ll have to wear contacts.

Anyway 5.8 miles in about 51 minutes (not exact - I apparently didn’t press the STOP button on the watch properly with mitts on). Pace 8:47, plenty good enough for these trails. They were plowed, but had been packed down before the plow arrived, so there wasn’t much bare pavement. Ran with Pete and Jack, both nice enough to slow to my pace. I did feel strong the whole way, much stronger than I expected to feel. Good run!



Organic oatmeal, organic lowfat milk, banana, blueberries, organic walnuts, chocolate nibs (chopped cocoa beans).


Organic salad greens, blue cheese, dragon fruit, pitted olives, avocado, raspberry vinegar.


Dinner: Free-range no-hormone bison, organic parsnips, organic squash, organic sweet potato, organic carrots, organic rutabaga, onion.

Five Runs

Getting behind on my logging. Tsk. Here we go:

Tuesday, December 4:

North St Paul Community Center dreadmill, five miles in 44:40, pace 8:56. Uff-da. No land speed records today! Could NOT wait for the run to end. I did speed up the last tenth of a mile to 10 mph (6 min/mi) just to be sure I could still run that fast, which livened things up a little at the end. Sweat dripping from the bill of my cap.

Maybe next time I’ll try 2/10 mile at that speed, then maybe 3/10? There is a one-mile race in January called the Meet of the Miles. I’ve never trained for that distance, just run it with a prayer. Perhaps it would help to train for the distance. Duh. There are some other indoor-track races this winter, sponsored by Charities Challenge, and I’d kind of like to see how I can do in those shorter distances: 200m, 400m, 800m, & 1500m.

Monday, December 3:

Snow yesterday, five or six lovely white inches of snow. I like running the snow blower almost as much as running, and shoveling what’s left is pretty good cross-training. At the start of every winter I re-awaken a few muscles with that shoveling. Nice day yesterday, fire in the fireplace after the driveway was clear.

Today’s run was five miles in a hilly neighborhood on mixed surface: dry pavement, some snow, and some slush. 20 degreees with negligible wind as the sun set. Out, loop four times, and back. Exactly five miles, certified, 43:34, pace 8:42. Good enough. In contrast with last Friday I felt strong throughout, no walking. Excellent run.

Friday, November 30:

Snowstorms a-coming, this was the last run on my favorite trail along the railroad tracks. But something was not quite right - I had no zip at all. Even walked a few times. Eight miles in 1:13:15, pace 9:09. It was only 14 degrees and breezy, so I was well dressed, and the trail is soft sandy gravel, so I have some reasons for feeling sluggish, but I’ve done better. Oh well, there are good days and better days, and this was a good one on my favorite trail. Last day of the week, only 19 miles this week. Too much yard work - leaf vacuuming and the like. This too shall pass.

Tuesday, November 27:

I really am not fond of the dreadmill. But that’s all that was available at the N St Paul Community Center today. Three endless miles. Talk about a watched pot. Time 26:40, pace 8:53. Well, it’s three miles under the shoes.

Sunday, November 25:

The North St Paul Community Center is about to replace the surface of their overhead running track, and today was the LAST day for the old surface. Just three miles, and the first mile seemed difficult, but they got easier as I ran. Splits: 8:55, 8:32, 8:19, total 25:46, pace 8:35. Several weeks now until the new track is open.

Saturday, November 24:

I love the Duluth Lakewalk. Today I started from a downtown hotel, quickly jumped on the LakeWalk, and took it to 26th Avenue East. From there it was a nice jog along London Road to 47th, then up to Crosley Ave and my destination in Lester Park. About 6.5 miles in 57:30, for a pace of 8:51, plenty good enough for the day after Thanksgiving dinner. Very enjoyable run.



Breakfast: Organic oatmeal, organic nonfat milk, banana, blueberries, Don's breakfast fruit/berry/nut mix.


Lunch: Leftover organic root vegetables with cranberries, hibiscus blossoms, pistachios.


Salad: Orgainc romaine lettuce, gluten-free corn bread, pistachios, blue cheese, dragon fruit, raspberry vinegar.


Dinner: Organic swiss chard with cranberries and nuts, organic apple, orange.