So Tired

I had a day off after my decent 11 mile run on Saturday, but I was still feeling it. My whole body was tired for today's 4 mile run. I thought about taking a day off, but I don't need to miss a run if I don't have to, because there may come a time that I have to. Being tired isn't enough of an excuse!

It was 47 degrees at 5:15 pm, but it felt cooler than that. I guess the 60 degree temp on the last run has already ruined me. It was another bad 4 mile run, even though I did manage to keep my pace under 10:00 minutes at 9:54 (total time: 39:36). My heart rates: 157 avg, 169 max, 58 rest. Recovery 158 to 116.

God Showed Me

Well, it didn't take long for God to show me that I APPRECIATE the wind. When I started at 11:30, the temperature was a nice 58 degrees; when I finished about an hour and 45 minutes later, it was an amazing 64 degrees. I almost wore pants with a short sleeve shirt, but opted for shorts and a long sleeve T-shirt. Thankfully, I carried along a short sleeve shirt. I drove to the Salem United Methodist Church to run. When I got out of my truck, I changed into the short sleeve shirt. I wasn't far into the run when the sweat began. The breeze was a little too strong at times, but I welcomed it. After all, it was only hurting my aerodynamics :).

After my horrible last run in which my pace was 10:02 for a 4 mile run, today's 11 miler felt good. I was still at a 9:00 (1:20:57) pace after 9 miles! However, it was gone in a flash - LOL. My slowest mile (not Mile 3) to that point was Mile 9. I struggled to keep the pace under 9:00 during that mile. The only thing I had eaten all day was some Starburst Gummies on my drive to the church - I guess that was breakfast. Now, it was going on 1:00 - way past my lunch time, too. I had ran into "the wall" at about 7.5 miles. The times until then:

1. 8:44
2. 9:06
3. 9:03
4. 8:41
5. 8:38
6. 8:52
7. 8:59

My total time was about a minute faster than what I needed for a 9:00 pace, which means I could run the last 4 miles in about 9:15 and finish with my goal pace. Mile 8 was close - 9:21. I tried to push Mile 9, but just couldn't do it - 9:35. I then gave up. I was barely moving at times for the last 2 miles - Mile 10 was 10:11 and Mile 11 was 10:14. Even though I failed at my goal pace, which didn't come about until about halfway through the run, because after the other day's 4 mile disaster I was originally hoping for under 10:00, I was proud of my time. And I believe the great weather played a major role in my time. My total time was 1:41:22 for a pace of 9:13. My heart rates: 174 avg, 187 max, 58 rest, recovery from 185 to 137.

January 27, 2011

It was a rough 4 miles. My legs are so tired. The lower sections of my legs are sore. My right ITB was also hurting a little. Well, those are my excuses for running so slowly. The first mile was 9:18. After that, they were all over 10:00 - 10:07, 10:07 (mile 3 not the slowest), and 10:35. My total time was 40:07, a pace of 10:02. The slow running has gotten me close to setting personal heart rate records. 157 avg (3rd lowest); 171 max (2nd lowest); 58 rest (didn't check); 149 recovery from (2nd lowest); 112 recovery to (tied for 1st).

Have I Mentioned That I Hate the Wind?

Have I mentioned that I hate the wind? I know when summertime arrives I will be begging for the slightest breeze, but right now, I hate it. (We didn't go to work today, since we got 4 to 5 inches of snow). The good news is that half the time it was at my back. The bad news is that the temperature was 30 degrees and the windchill made it about 10 degrees colder. There were a few times the wind gusts were so strong I couldn't exhale - I almost lost my breath. I had to turn my head to the side to breath out. Enough complaining. Here are the numbers - 8:49, 9:06, 9:31 (slow #3), 9:13, and 8:31. I haven't seen 8:30 or better in awhile. I saw I had a chance for a 9:00 or better pace, so I really pushed Mile 5. I didn't make it, though. I finished in 45:10, a pace of 9:02. My heart rates: 172 avg, 188 max, 62 rest. Recovery from 186 to 126.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Another later than I wanted start (5:30 pm). It was 44 degrees and the streets were wet from an earlier rain. I had a descent temperature with no rain and no strong winds to run in. My legs were still tired from Saturday's 10-miler, and my lower shins were a little sore. My times: 9:10 (felt like I ran it faster), 9:38, 9:52, (my slow 3), and 8:56. A total time of 37:36 for a 9:24 pace. My heart rates: 162 avg, 182 max, 58 rest. Recovery was from 179 to 112. The 112 is my lowest recorded recovery number. The 67 point difference is also the best. As I posted before, it must be the cold weather.

My 6 lowest "Recovery To" numbers have been within just over the last month:
Jan. 24, 2011 112
Dec. 22, 2010 115
Jan. 11, 2011 119
Dec. 21, 2010 120
Jan. 10, 2011 120
Jan. 13, 2011 120

Three of my best four differences between "Recovery From" and "Recovery To" have been this month:
Jan. 24, 2011 67
Sept. 6, 2010 64
Jan. 11, 2011 62
Jan. 13, 2011 62

January 22, 2011

I was dreading this run, because I didn't think I was ready yet. I put it off until the afternoon (12:30), because the weather would be warmer (36 degrees). I drove up to Salem United Methodist Church to run Salem Ridge Road, because it is a flatter course than what I usually run. From the church to the end of the road and back is 5 miles, so I would have to run it twice. The first 2.5 miles were into a horrible wind; coming back was not so bad. I had planned on getting a drink at the halfway point, but felt pretty good so I turned and headed back into the wind. The wind on the 3rd 2.5 seemed to be as twice as bad as the first 2.5 miles, but at least I would have it to my back for the final 2.5.

Nothing special, just slow. Miles 6, 7, and 8 were all over 10:00. The first and last miles were barely under 9:00 (8:56 and 8:59). The rest were in the 9:00's toward the 10:00 side. My overall time was 1:37:28, a pace of 9:45. Heart rates: 163 avg, 181 max, 62 rest. Recovery 181 to 134.

January 21, 2011

I had my alarm set yesterday (Thursday) morning to get up 30 minutes early to run 3 miles before getting ready for work. When it went off, I reset it until the usual time to get up. Now, I would have to run when I got home from work. Sherri did not go to work and called me sometime after 12:00 to tell me it was sleeting and I should head home. It was still dry in Nashville, but I headed home about 1:00 anyway, because the weather-people predicted "it" was coming. I didn't see a drop of anything until I got to the Montgomery County line, and that was mostly just rain. I was stopped at a red light when I began to see a little sleet. A few minutes later snow was coming down pretty good. A Nashville news station reported that Clarksville had 88 wrecks in a 4 hour period. Sure glad I came home when I did. Needless to say, I did not run in the snow and cold yesterday.

We did not go to work this morning. Our road was more ice than snow. The grass seemed to have snow on it, but the pavement and concrete seemed to have ice. I did not want to risk falling while running on an icy road, so I reluctantly hopped on the elliptical machine. I was scheduled for 3 miles. I don't know how many "elliptical" miles I did, though. One screen gave me what I guess was yardage that would equal about 2.5 miles; another screen said I ran 8 miles, which is impossible. I need to read the booklet to find out what is what. All I know is that I did it for 30 minutes and hated every minute of it.

January 19,2011

We had to make a couple of stops on the way home from work. I sure didn't want to run when we got home. I dreaded getting out on the cold, dark, and lonely road, but I did it. It was 33 degrees at 6:00, and the longer I ran, the stronger the wind seemed to get. After all my recent complaints of windy runs, I think the last half mile of this run has been the worst. I thought my face was going to be wind-burned.

For the 5 miles, I ran 9:05, 9:24, 9:28, 10:00, and 8:56, for a total of 46:53 (a 9:23 pace). Heart Rate: 169 avg, 187 max, 62 rest. Recovery from 186 to 137.

Late Night Run

Monday's are never good days to get up early and run before getting ready for work. This Monday we even went to work two hours late, but I still couldn't force myself out of the bed to run beforehand. I knew we would be attending a Houston County middle school basketball games after work, so I would be able to run then. (Houston County was playing at Clarksville Academy, so we could see Colt Singleton play without having to really drive anywhere.) We got home from the game about 8:45. I didn't think about it - I just changed into my running clothes. I was doing it.

I was out the door by 9:00. It was 46 degrees and drizzling. Occasionally, the wind was blowing so hard it felt like a good rain hitting me in the face. The run was... well, just a run. I had eaten quite a bit before the games, and, two-and-a-half hours later, I was still feeling it. My times were not good - 8:52, 9:56, and 9:56, but not much slower than the paces I've been running lately. My total time was 28:44 (9:35 pace). Heart Rates: avg. 166, max. 180, rest 62. Recovery from 176 to 127.

According to logyourrun.com, I surpassed the 10,000 minute plateau. Since I've been running, I've logged 10,023.87 minutes.

Blame It On the Wind

Finally, a day that is to reach 50 degrees! I was contemplating on either wearing shorts with a long sleeve shirt or pants with a short sleeve shirt. I finally decided on wearing pants and a long sleeve shirt, hoping to sweat more and lose more weight. I'm glad I wore both long or I would have frozen to death. The wind was awful. The first 2 miles were okay, blowing from the side and not too strong. After completing Mile 2, I hit a 2 mile straight stretch and the wind - a STRONG wind - constantly blew against me. I turned around and headed back after completing Mile 4. I was thankful to have the wind at my back, for what I thought would be the 2 mile stretch back. That wasn't the case. The wind changed directions after Mile 5 was completed and began blowing against me at an angle. Before I could complete Mile 6, it was head-on again. I had to endure it for Miles 7 and 8, too. I was mad! I know running into the wind will help me, but it kept me from enjoying this run. I was excited for 50 degrees and back up to 8 miles, but the wind chill was cooler than 50, and I also blame the wind for my pace being over 9:00. I ran the 8 miles in 1:13:40, a pace of 9:13. If it wasn't for the strong winds, I think I could have done it in 1:12:00. Since I haven't even been running most shorter runs under 9:00, it would have been nice to do so.

Mile 3 was once again my slowest mile at 9:38. Heart rates: 173 average, 193 max, and 62 resting. Recovery was from 192 to 137.

A Little Improvement

I always seem to get home a little later than usual when I am scheduled to run. It was 5:15 and a cold 24 degrees by the time I got out the door. However, I did make a little progress this run. It was my fastest pace since December 2. I knew I was running slower since I had not been running consistently for the last 2 months, plus the 15 pound weight gain. I also thought the cold weather was adding to my slower pace, but I read on active.com, "Yes, we run a lot faster in the cold races than we do in the standard, hot-summer month 5Ks and 10Ks..." What? You have got to be kidding! The colder it is the more stiff my body seems. There's sucking in the cold air. More (heavier) clothes to carry, that also reduce some flexibility. I don't know - I will just do what I can.

Back to the run. Mile 1 was a surprise at 8:10 (since it was only 24 degrees). I didn't loosen up or anything, but mile 1 felt pretty good. Then breathing became harder and I slowed down for miles 2 (8:52) and 3 (8:55). My total time was 25:57, for a pace of 8:39. My heart rates: 169 avg, 184 max, 67 rest. Recovery was from 182 to 120. This was the second time in-a-row I had a 62 point difference, which is the second best I have recorded. I guess the cold weather slows my heart quicker after I stop running.

Day Early 5 Miles

Today was supposed to be a rest day, but I decided to run "tomorrow's" run for a few reasons. The first is that we didn't go to work again today, so I wouldn't have to run in the dark morning or dark evening. The second is that today's temperature may reach 34 degrees, while tomorrow's may only reach 25. The last reason is that Sherri and I may attend a Bible study tomorrow night. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't get up early enough to run tomorrow, and if we go to the Bible study tomorrow night, I wouldn't get the run in at all.

I hit the pavement at 9:30 am. The temp was 32 degrees. Half the run was into a strong wind and the sky was often spitting snow. It took me 46:56, a pace of 9:23, to complete the 5 miles. I tried to push the last mile to have a pace under 9:30. The miles - 9:27, 9:38, 9:35, 9:24, and 8:52. Finally,something under 9:00, and I'm not just talking about today. Heart rates: 163 avg, 183 max, 60 rest. Recovery was from 181 to 119. The 62 point difference is the second highest recovery I have recorded.

Official Start of Music City Marathon Training

Today began my "official" training for the Music City Marathon in April. It was a cold 32 degrees at 11:00 when I headed out. There were some instances of strong winds, but nowhere near yesterday's windchill. I was able to run about midday, because we did not work today due to snow. We barely had any - maybe 1.5 inches. The roads I ran were already clear. Some areas to the south reported 13" of snow.

I ran 3 miles in 28:10 for a pace of 9:23. I blame the cold weather on my slow times. My heart rates: avg. 159, max. 179, rest 58. These numbers prove I am not working too hard. I've got to pick up the pace - cold weather or not. Recovery was from 179 to 120. Good resting rate and recovery "to" numbers.

6 miles, 25 Degrees, and Windy!

The temperature did hit 27 degrees, but I was helping Sherri do some things around the house. It had dropped to 25 degrees before I could get out the door around 2:00. I had only eaten some toast and jelly for breakfast and a snack of some Goldfish for lunch. I didn't want to stuff myself at lunch, so I ate the Goldfish about 11:30. It just kept getting later and later, so I was running on empty. I wasn't really running on empty, because I really did some card-loading during the week. Not such much as by design than by accident. I was more likely to be dehydrated, because I only had two coffees, a glass of orange juice, and about four ounces of PowerAde. The lack of running, especially consistent and distance running, had me worried about running six miles. To my surprise, it went quite well.

The wind chill was at 15 degrees, and at times I thought the wind gusts were going to blow me over. I actually wore one shirt too many, because I sweated a little much. I had my Clarksville Half Marathon shirt, an Under Armour 2.0 base, an UA long-sleeve heat gear, and UA cold gear pullover jacket. Next time I think I will go without the long-sleeve heat gear at this temperature. The stats: 56:26 for a 9:24 pace. Heart rates: 174 avg, 193 max, 80 rest (seems high). Recovery: 191 to 149.

Doggone, Another Cat to Bury

Sherri called me at work and said she found Cookie in a corner of the yard. Evidently, the dogs dug up Purity, too. The 4 animals were buried close together, so the bag I saw while reburying what I thought was Cookie must have been Shadow. Well, anyway, I had to bury another cat when I got home, so an even later start to my run. I cut yesterday's 4 to 3, because I was getting a late start. Today, even though I was getting a later start, I ran yesterday's 4 miles. It was 42 degrees, but the wind was blowing 100 mph - maybe not 100, but it was up there. My legs were hurting this morning from the knees down. During the day, they got better, but the pain was there for most of the run. It was a slow run - 40:11, a 10:03 pace. Heart Rates: avg. 164, max. 177, rest 65. Recovery 175 to 137.

January 5, 2011

I was scheduled to run 4 miles today, but reduced it to 3. During the day, it rained, sleeted, and snowed, but all had stopped by the time we got home from work. It is still close to dark when we get home, so I planned on rushing to get out the door for the run as soon as possible. However, I had to rebury a cat. Lucky and/or Shani (the dogs) had dug up Cookie. Four of our past animals are buried, have gravel over the dirt, and a car hood on top of the gravel. However, the "pet cemetery" is in a place where roots run everywhere. Needless to say, Cookie wasn't all that deep, but I thought deep enough. Plus, there was the car hood. Somehow, the dogs moved the car hood and commenced to digging. I dug while Sherri gathered up the pieces. Thankfully, it was mostly what the cat was buried in than the actual cat.

Of course, it was dark when I hit the road. The road was wet from the earlier precips and it was 35 degrees. Once again, it felt colder than it actually was. I was trying to hurry. I don't know why. I couldn't finish before it got dark. For the second run in a row, I ran in the bright green shirt Shane and Emily got me for Christmas. It is the safest thing I have to wear in the evening and beyond. I ran the first mile in 8:38. I knew I had started out too fast, because the second half of that mile was much slower than the first. Then I had 9:49 and 9:53. I felt like today's run was faster than Monday's 26:55, but it was not so. Today was 28:20 (a 9:27 pace). Heart Rates: avg. 173, max. 185, rest 79. Recovery: 183 to 127.

January 3, 2011

Being 2 weeks behind in training is no way to prepare to set a personal record in the half marathon, but that's where I'm at. It seemed colder than the 36 degrees the thermometer had on it. Nothing special about these 3 miles, except that it's the beginning of my training. I was happy to have my pace under 9:00, though, at 8:58. Heart Rates: avg. 168, max. 182, rest 89. The rest is high since I was actually moving around some. Recovery: 180 to 123.

A Little History

I thought about beginning a new blog, since this one's title is now outdated. "Born 2 Run @ 40 ?" (and that is a big questionmark) does not fit anymore - I'm now 41. I was once a fast runner (well, pretty fast) and could once just go out and run a 5k without any training. I thought maybe I was "born to run" and I would begin running a few months before my 40th birthday. I never really cared for running; I actually hated it. Most of my running came because of baseball and basketball practices. I never ran on my own. Now, I wish I could go back in time and run. It's not that bad. I don't love it, but I love the feeling of the accomplishment after a long run (especially when it's an official race). I don't even have to place to feel the race was worthwhile - I just have to finish within my own personal goal. For the most part, I hate training. A lot of running is involved just to complete one race. For example, I run, if I follow my complete schedule, 183 training miles over 10 weeks to run a Half-Marathon.

I should be on week 3 of training for the Oxford, MS Half Marathon on February 26th. I'm not. This is my first week. However, my training for the Music City Marathon does not begin until next week - so, I'm a week ahead :). I also discovered that on December 28th, I weighed more than at any point since I began running on August 10, 2009. I weighed 170.8 the day I started, and 182.4 just last week. 182 is better than I once was, though. In September 2008, I got serious about losing some weight. On September 3, 2008, I weighed 198 pounds. This was after I had already lost a some weight. I was able to squeeze into some 34 blue jeans, but usually unable to button them. My belt had to hold them on. Before that, I was only able to get into size 36 blue jeans, so I was certainly over 200 at one point, but we didn't own a scale until September 3, 2008. I think I did pretty good, losing over 30 pounds before I even began running. I did it by eating a lot of cereal. Now, I want to run consistently to get back to (and maintain) my weight as of August 27, 2010 - 161.6 pounds. Well, actually, I would like to get below 160.

Oh, by the way, instead of beginning a new blog, I just changed the blurb under my "Born 2 Run @ 40 ?" title.