Sat 2006 Oct 14, SCV Runners 5 mi, 36 deg

St Croix Valley Runners 5 mi, 41:40, pace 8:20. Very beautiful sunrise, cool and breezy, my first run with tights this fall. Ran with Tom mostly, then also Al who came late and took a shortcut to join us. Followed by Dave, George, Roy, and Candy, new to the group. Used brand-new Brooks Burn shoes, to break them in and test them out before the NYC Marathon next month. They're fine. No hurry this morning, with a 5k race coming up an hour later.

Thu 2006 Oct 12, 4 mi, 56 deg

Alcoa-Maryville Greenway Trail 4 mi, 32:28, pace 8:07. Distance is approximate. Another very enjoyable romp through the woods, paved trail, electric lights every 75 feet or so. I love it. Didn't see another person this time, heard killdeer near the motel but no other wildlife. I wore two shirts, one too many, but what the heck it's a short run. No pains, no problems. Good way to start the day.

Wed 2006 Oct 11, 8 miles, 63 deg

Alcoa-Maryville Greenway Trail 8 mi, 1:09:13, pace 8:39. Probably a bit faster, because the distance was probably a bit more. Anyway it was such an energizing run! Loping through the dark woods along Pistol Creek, seeing no one but another occasional runner, what a peaceful time. At the very end of the run the sky seemed to be brightening in the east, but not by much. Sprinkling toward the end - it felt good. I had intended to run 6 miles, but woke up a few minutes early and decided that 8 would fit in the time available before work. No pains, no problems. Today is a great day.

Mon 2006 Oct 9, 8 miles in the park, 47 deg

LE Regional Park 8.0 mi, 1:09:52, pace 8:44. Wanted to take it easy this morning and it worked! What a lovely, exhilarating run along the lake and the railroad tracks and through the park. A hawk screeched at me from a fence post as I entered the park, then flew off, discretion being the better part of valor for her. Nice comfortable pace, cool with a little breeze from the north, fall leaves brightening as the sun rose behind the clouds. Is this what running is really about? Maybe so. Slight pain in right knee went away as I ran. Calf muscles are yapping a little, but didn't cramp up. They need more stretches and a little massage.

Sat 2006 Oct 07, St Croix Valley 5 mi, 55 deg

St Croix Valley Runners 5.0 mi, 41:03, pace 8:13. Marathon pace again! A little faster than intended, but you get going with a particular runner and try to keep up. Randy, Dave, & Al went out ahead; I ran w Tom A and Gauss, followed by Paul, Roy, & Charlie. A & S walked with Cal & S. Good group - did I miss anyone? Cool and breezy, a beautiful fall morning with a red sunrise during the run. What a day! Afterward the outside part of the ball of my left foot hurts a little, and the right hamstring is still giving a little warning. Both calves are tight. Probably should have run a bit slower. Still feeling the effects of the marathon; easy does it (with stretches!).

Wed 2006 Oct 4, 5.8 mi, 59 deg

Woodbury Runners 5.8, 48:00, pace 8:17. Huh - marathon pace, go figure. Rob, Bill, Jim, & Jack went out front, I ran w Al & then Pete caught up to the two of us. Very nice, enjoyable run. Plenty fast, but I nevertheless felt chilly during the run despite the relatively warm temp. Probably because of the wind and low humidity. I felt a little soreness in the front of the right knee, gone the next day. But a little soreness in the right hamstring the next day. Just a little.

Sun 2006 Oct 1 Twin Cities Marathon, 59 deg average temp

Twin Cities Marathon 26.22 miles, 3:36:02, pace 8:14. I ran a dumb race, but mostly got away with it. Intended to run 8:05 until mile 20, then 8:35 to the end. Instead, I ran 7:53 to the half, and7:56 to the 20-mile, then 9:14 to the finish. Tsk. A lot of walk / running in that last 10k, sneaking peeks over my shoulder to see if LS or HL or ER were about to overtake me. But nope - I finished third of 39 in 65-69, first Minnesotan. Good enough. Furthermore, I ran a PR 30k (2:27:26) and a PR 20 miles (2:38:34). This was a good day to run, but not a great day. Temp was 48 at the start, but 69 at the finish. Kinda warm, plus there was a 10 mph wind most of the way, facing us much of the time. But I’m not aware that either the temp or wind bothered me very much. Quad muscles are sore tonight, and calves. More than usual after a marathon. Probably because of the pace and the temp; I may have let myself get a little too dehydrated. Some of the water cups weren’t very full, and I didn’t take a second one. Also, I never dumped water on my head, which I should have done. But no injuries; the sore muscles will repair themselves and become stronger. Other good news is that I don’t have an upset stomach. I ate a Clif bar at 3:00 am, five hours before the start, apparently without negative effect. I had some cramps in calf muscles around mile 22 or so, after climbing the hills, especially when I tried to slow down. But I took a packet of salt, and the cramps gradually subsided. :-)