Wed 2006 Oct 18, 5.8 mi, 38 deg

Woodbury Runners 5.8 mi, 47:04, pace 8:07. Plenty fast for my needs today - about the pace I want to run the NYC marathon. But I ran 22 miles just three days ago, so it seemed like plenty of work. Cool, misty evening, I wore knee protectors, shorts, one LS shirt, and a wind/rain jacket. Also gloves and ear protection. It got dark tonight before we finished. But a great run, never overly warm, ran with Pete, Jim M, and Scott, all much faster than I. They took the long route, going about 6.2 miles, and still finished with me. Good group to train with!

Tue 2006 Oct 17, 2 miles indoors

NSP Community Center indoor track 2 mi, 17:10, pace 8:35. First mile was 8:53, second mile 8:17. Interesting how the first mile is always slower, and that's so easy to see on a little track 13 laps per mile. Used Nike Pegasus shoes, did resistance training and stretches afterward. Just a little jog, no problems.

Sun 2006 Oct 15, 21.75 mi, 47 deg

To Selma's Ice Cream in Afton & back, 21.75 mi, 3:13:34, pace 8:54. 37 degrees at the start, 57 at the end. I wore shorts with a long and a short tech shirt the whole way but was plenty warm toward the end. Unimpressive pace, but many excuses. Ran all the way up the big 8th St hill in Lakeland, 250-foot elevation gain in about 0.8 mi. Lots of stops for bathroom, water refills, chat w A & S (whom I passed twice enroute), and phone. Plus I ran an energetic 9+ miles yesterday. So this pace was fine, an ideal run-up to the NYC Marathon three weeks from now, especially considering a PR marathon just two weeks ago. I should be good to go! It's taper time, mayhaps even time right now for a beer and a few handfuls of cashews. Shower first. No serious pains, but the left side of the ball of the left foot does hurt a little (what else is new), and the Lisfranc joint on the left foot got cranky. I thought I was past that. Guess not, but of course it never really slows me down much. Thought I felt pain in the Lisfranc joint in the right foot too; nothing now. Just sympathetic, or is that a genetic weak spot that will eventually give trouble like the other one has? Time will tell. This was such a beautiful, sunny, colorful fall day. A perfect day for running, and a wonderful run. Wahoo!

Sat 2006 Oct 14, 5k race, 37 deg

Race for a Safe Place 5k, 23:36, pace 7:36. Not too fast, but good enough after an energetic 5 miles just a few minutes earlier. And with a 20-miler scheduled for tomorrow! Took first place in my 60-69 age group. Gosh what a difference in clothing! I wore two shirts, a wind jacket, and tights, which was plenty warm. But I passed guys with just shorts, no shirt, which in my opinion was not enough. Nine or 10 young women there from St Thomas ALL finished well ahead of me. Fast women at St Thomas :-) No pains except a little tenderness in the left of the ball of the left foot, not unusual.

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.