First run of the taper.

Did 5 today. The weather was nice, chilly but not all that cold. Probably the best running weather for me. The knee is bugging me a little bit. So that is a source of a little concern. I will make sure I back of a little bit for tomorrow's 8 mile effort. Need to stay healthy as much as possible and not push so I am sure to make the starting line....

Finally feel like I am ready...

There is no way to sugar-coat this. The run today was very difficult. The weather brought a snow storm in last night. When I went out this morning there were several inches of snow on the ground and the temperature with windchill was -5. The wind was blowing around 15-25 miles per hour. I woke up 5:30 but delayed going out until 7 in the hopes that some sunlight might make the sidewalks easier to see. Even as light as it was starting become, the first mile was very difficult to run. There had been no plowing done by the University (which as a paying student really annoyed me). I couldn't get my feet above the snow so I was my own mini-snow plow. I should send a bill to all the places that I made trails.

After about mile 2 I decided to just run in the street for the most-part and take my chances. I was pleasantly surprised by how many people (at least during the first loop around town) attempted to move over a little so I didn't have to run in the snow mounds along the sides of the road. From time to time I did have to plow through snow in the street, but overall it wasn't as bad as it could have been.

Around mile 5 I started to get a little bit of a decent rhythm. Don't get me wrong, the whole run was a lot slower than I wanted for my biggest training run. Considering the condions, I was very pleased to have completed it.

I got another pleasant boost when I passed a group of runners. I am guessing they are the local running club. I think there were 12-14 total. They were also running in the street, but on the other side. A few members gave me a wave as I waved to them, and that always makes me feel good. I would pass them again around mile 9.5.

I had left my water about a mile and a third in. By the time I had made my loop, the top was frozen, as were most of the contents. I decided to walk and work on getting the top unfrozen so I could drink some water and take the first half of my gel. I ended up walking about a quarter of a mile and in hindsight, this was probably the best decision I made this morning. It enabled be to get more fluids and some energy, that I really needed.

The second loop around went a lot slower. The snow had started to turn to mush, and there was a big increase in traffic. Most of these drivers were not as courteous as the ones an hour and a half earlier. I ended up trudging through quite a bit of snow. The back end of the loop felt like it took forever. Once I was at the top of the hill (around 14.8 in) things started to fall into place.....

At the top of the hill, there was finally some areas of UW property that had been cleared, so I was able to back to the much safer sidewalks. I picked up the pace a little bit and trudged on. When I got back to my water, what was left was pretty much a big ice cube. I got a couple more sips out of it and took the rest of the gel (which tasted really good....weird) and continued on.

I decided to take my lap around campus to get the mileage more in-sync with the route I had been taking. There were very little people out and about considering it was homecoming. There were some cars driving on the paths around campus, which I will admit kind of made me angry. You could see they were sidewalks and not streets. Not sure what that was all about, they were not UW vehicles and it was hard to move out of their way. But enough complaining....

The start of my final three miles was almost slow-motion Sean. The toll of all the snow caught up to me in a hurry. The sidewalks were about 70% clear and that helped push me along. By the top of my hill I was going at a solid clip. (Side note...I must say I have had great luck since I started running with never falling...I just don't seem to slip much).  By 18.5 I was a bit slower but still humming along....

I always try to finish strong, and this was no different. I kept pushing and pushing as fast as the ground would let me. Had to pull back a little on the downhills to make sure I stayed vertical but still gave a solid effort into the homestetch.

By the time I got home the watch said 19.83 miles. I figured this was 20, because I had forgotten to start it up again at a light four blocks back at one point. 3 hours and 42 minutes. While this is a bit slower than I wanted, it gives me great confidence of hitting some time goals I have set for myself in New York.     I feel very sore, but have gained a ton of confidence today.    I pushed when I could have quit, and didn't give stop when my body begged me to do so. New York won't be easy,   but I feel like I am ready....   

5.0 in the snow

Sorry this is going to be short again. I have an exam soon and need to study a bit more. The weather turned crazy cold last night....but this time I was ready for it. Dressed in multiple layers up top...wore the balaklava....and my gloves....I was good to go.

As soon as I looked at the window and saw that it was snowing my heart jumped a beat. I love running while it is snowing. Makes me feel strong. It was bitter cold the first mile....but after that it all locked into place. Got the right tunes going on the Ipod and just enjoyed the moment. I love running in the cold weather....my pace was a bit faster than it should have been...but I don't care. I ran and enjoyed it that is all that matters....I have 20 on Saturday....20....then it is all taper....

Thanks for reading.

9.7...short entry

I did 9.7 miles today. The weather was quite cold when I started but warmed up quickly. Besides from muscle pain around my shoulder and the knee bugging me a bit it was a decent run. I am over-loaded with projects, labs, and exams the next couple of days, so that is all I am going to write for today. I hope you are all doing well. Fellow runners, I hope all of our preparations are on track for whatever you may be training. Thanks for reading....

5 miles down

I have been crazy busy today, but thought I would post quickly about my 5 mile run. I was up until almost 2 and so I slept a little later than usual. I was able to get out and make some pretty good time. I was dressed properly and enjoyed the cold weather. It just feels like the little aches and pains don't hurt nearly as much when my legs are cold. I am a little nervouse for 10 miles tomorrow....it is the only 10 mile mid-week run of the cycle, but I am also excited to get out there and do it. I will let you all know how it goes. Thanks for reading.

Tempted by the fruit of another....run

First of all I will say that the run went well...(that's for you Jon!). No major stomach issues to speak of and I think I have a game plan with the gels. But since this is a log, I will recap the day.

Had a late night, so with it being real cold I decided to go out later than usual. I was glad that I did. I drank quite a bit of water when I woke up and thought I would try  not taking anything before I went out and then space out the Hamme gels. It seemed to work well for me today. Next week I am going to eat a little bit before I go out and then space 1/2 a gel packet every six miles. So I may have found my strategy with the intake of calories.

It was really chillly again this morning, but there was very little wind. I wore a bit more clothing, and while it got a little bit warm at the end it worked at fairly well. (Although I quickly remembered the areas that require lubrication when I wear that much clothing, can't believe I forgot since last spring).

The hum of the town was really was very light this morning. It was peaceful and enjoyable for the vast majority of the run. About a mile and a half in I realized that I was on the path of  a 5K by the markers that were laid out. It donned on me that it was probably the 5K I did last fall (my first). I was surprised that I hadn't heard about it before this morning. I really thought about doing it, but thought that a 14 mile run would help my psyche more than turning in a sub-par 5K time with dead legs. I think I made the right decision.

Next week is the peak of my cycle. I run 5, 10, 5, and 20 miles respectively. I am pretty nervous to be honest. I am at the lengths that I missed during my training for Colorado due to having the flu, so it I am hopeful I can put in a great week and get that monkey off my back once and forall. I was able to end my last 2.5 miles really strong today, so that gives me a bit of confidence heading into this week. My time for 13.90 miles was 2 hours 16 minutes and 26 seconds. I feel good about it.

Thanks for reading and have a nice weekend!

Not 5....but 3

It looks like it is time to break out the winter gear here in Laramie. I looked at the report on the weather before I went out...but I was still not wearing nearly enough. I put on my long sleeve outer layer and even my asics cold weather pants....but I should have dressed in layers and used my balaklava. The wind chill right not says 19....but you add in those gusts of 33-44 mph and the wind feels like a knife cutting through the clothing. I was supposed to do 5, but when my ears started ringing not even a half mile in I decided to just go 3 and cut the risk of getting sick all over again. It is supposed to warm up a big over the next few days, this cold just really hit here out of nowhere. I wore shorts and a short sleeve shirt yesterday and was quite warm. It was nice to wear some of my gear for the cold weather...next time I will wear all of it and be toasty.