12-7 Day!!! What happened to 12-2 thru 4???

I caught a pretty good cold after my 16 miler last weekend, so I took the time off. This again on the advice of a friend. This was a god thing as I was able to recover faster.

Today was all about just plain running. I was going to run 12 miles, but decided to run 8 instead. I had alot of work to do on my deck this morning. I figured that digging into clay would serve as a balance to the 4 miles I took out.

The run went ok. I ran at a very light pace, but still managed to be quick about it. About 4 miles in I eased off and took to walking more here and there. My intent was to mainly get back into it and continue with next week asif I didn't take any time off.

Next week is a 4-9-5 week ending with 18 miles on Saturday. And I need to build a deck in there somewhere....wish me luck.

See you out there.

11-6 Day!!! Sixteen miles in 70 degrees and rainy...

It didn't rain while I ran though, which I think, besides the morning was the only time that it didn't rain all day.

I had re-configured my route so that I was running by my house every couple of miles or so. I also took the advice of a friend, who is also a triathete/triathlon coach, Kevin Meek (Thanks dude), who gave me some advice on hydrating and staying fueled.

The plan I went with was to stock my cooler by the house with 4-20oz bottles of water and 4-20oz bottles of Accelerade (Lemonade flavor - needs help. Where are the Wyler's people when you need them?). I also went with Carbboom's Apple Cinnamon flavor gel. I swear to God that this stuff tastes like apple pie filling. My only problem with it is the texture. All said, it wasn't that bad once you muscle it past the gag reflex.

Onward into week 12....see you out there...

11-4 Day!!! 4 miles at night...

It was a decent night for a run. I didn't have my heart rate monitor with me and actually I didn't really care how fast I was. I was really trying to take it easy knowing that I have 16 coming up in two days!!!

11-3 Day! 8 miles in the middle of the week???

I actually ran 8.14, but who's counting, right? I am that's who...

I took yesterday off. Why? Because I felt like it. Last Saturday was chock full of lessons learned. Basically I allowed my a$$ to get handed to me by not prepping right. Won't do that again. Anyway, I did crosstrain on Sunday (aka worked on the house)....so there.

Today's run was done in 1:31:27. That's an 11:14 pace which I am pretty darn happy with. I drank enough water which was also a good indicator of how bad Saturday was for me. I am basically guessing that I would need about twice what I was carrying in order to make it this coming Saturday.

But, it's only supposed to be 64 degrees for a high on Saturday, so BRING IT ON!!!

4 miles tomorrow...see you out there...

10-6 Day! 15 miles and it was a smidge hot out...

I ran the 15 miles in 2:58:01. I walked a few times for water and had to take a bathroom break, so that burned some time.

It was a pretty fast pace, and by fast I mean that it was probably on a 10:30 per mile pace, which is not sustainable when it's this hot out. The temps according to Accuweather.com were (using RealFeel) 85, 87 and 93 at 8a, 9a, and 10a respectively. Brutal...

10-2 Day!!! Supposedly 7 miles, but I went longer...

I ran 7.61 miles in the lovely mountains of Murrieta, CA. It was a nice change of scenery.

My time was 1:18:30 for the distance, making it a 10:40 mile. That was pretty good considering I was running some serious hills. Well, at least I thought they were serious hills...

10-1 Day! 3 miles..mostly a recovery run...

I did the three in 29:02. That's right at about 9:40 per mile. Not too shabby at all, especially given that I was running in the lovely mountains of CA. Talk about running hills!!!

9-6 Day!!! Half-way through!!!

10 miles today...1:48:48. That's a 10:52 pace. I walked four times to get hydrated.

I was going to track my splits, but I need to either learn how to use the watch that I have or get a new one. I should have waited and bought a Polar system, since I hear those are better.

More later...

9-4 Day!! Was supposed to be 4 miles...

But I shorted my route by a third of a mile. Oops!

It wasn't too bad. I got up before the sun again, which, given the oppressive 95 degree heat forecasted, was a good thing.

I ran 3.66 miles in 36.07. That's a 9:52 pace. I took it kinda easy at some points. By all appearances I think I got through a plateau and am starting to show some gains in speed and fitness.

Tomorrow's a rest day and Saturday is 10 miles (stepback week).

9-3 Day!! 7 miles & up before the sun...

I actually carried my sunglasses with me since it was too dark to wear them.

I pushed this one a little more than yesterday, but still found that again I was in Zone 3 for some of the time. I ran the 7 miles in 1:08:33. That puts it at a 9:48 pace. Very nice.

I think I need a nap though...too bad I am working today...