Easy Run

Distance: 4 miles
Time: 36:39
Pace: 9:09 min/mi

Comments: It has been a busy week and finding the time to run has not been easy. I wanted to get out the door earlier this morning but there was too much stuff to do and when the one opportunity opened up... it started raining. I figured that was it but things cleared up at 3 p.m. so I headed out before the next round of showers could arrive.

This wasn't a spectacular run. I felt sloppy and slow the whole way. Part of that is probably the weirdness of running in the afternoon for once. But the goal was get in the miles and not settle for a partial effort. Mission accomplished.

Conditions:
Hour: 3:30 p.m.
Surface: concrete
Weather: overcast/cloudy
Temperature: 66 degrees
Humidity: 93 percent
Wind: 10 mph
Location: Lewisville, Texas
Shoes: Brooks Adrenaline GT 14

Injury update: nada

Easy Run

Distance: 4 miles
Time: 38:12
Pace: 9:32 min/mi

Comments: First mile was overslow. Feeling a little creaky from yesterday's run and the humidity made it feel chillier than it actually was. I warmed up pretty well by the end of the first mile and then actually felt pretty smooth after the halfway mark.

The last two miles went very well and I felt the pace was about perfect for this run (but I could have pushed it harder if necessary). That showed up in the splits as last three miles came in within three seconds of each other.

Conditions:
Hour: 6:20
Surface: concrete
Weather: slightly foggy
Temperature: 40 degrees
Humidity: 99 percent
Wind: calm
Location: Lewisville, Texas
Shoes: Brooks Adrenaline GT 14

Injury update: nada

Easy Run

Distance: 4 miles
Time: 38:15
Pace: 9:33 min/mi

Comments: As few intentions as I had to run when I awoke this morning, I finally decided to do it. I didn't feel particularly great -- both down both physically and a bit mentally -- but that sort of matched the fog and the cool temperatures that had settled over the area.

The run was no great shakes. With visibility down to maybe 20 feet, I kept a slow pace and stopped a lot whenever there were any cars nearby; I just assumed they couldn't see me and didn't particularly care. I also kept an eye on the ground to make sure I didn't take a misstep in the haze. Finishing the effort I have to say I was glad I did it.

Conditions:
Hour: 6:20 a.m.
Surface: concrete
Weather: foggy
Temperature: 38 degrees
Humidity: 99 percent
Wind: calm
Location: Lewisville, Texas
Shoes: Brooks Adrenaline GT 14

Injury update: nada

Easy Run

Distance: 4 miles
Time: 39:20
Pace: 9:49 min/mi

Comments: With the cold front moving in early this week, I wasn't intensely inclined to get out the door. That things got busy with work made it all the easier to skip a day or two. But temperatures climbed back into the ideal range this morning so back to the grind.

I deliberately did this one overslow. Mile three was north of ten minutes, which has been a ceiling for me even with my start/stop routine. The reason is that I'm going to try and restart my conditioning workouts this week, tomorrow if at all possible. And I know that's gonna kick my ass. So no need to wear myself out today.

This said, the run went rather well. A nice comfortable pace and no real issues.

Conditions:
Hour: 6:15 a.m.
Surface: concrete
Weather: overcast
Temperature: 50 degrees
Humidity: 90 percent
Wind: calm
Location: Lewisville, Texas
Shoes: Brooks Adrenaline GT 14

Injury update: nada

Recovery Run

Distance: 4 miles
Time: 37:22
Pace: 9:19 min/mi

Comments: Between the neighbor's shrieking kid that kept me up all night and the soreness in my hamstrings from the run on Thanksgiving Day, I didn't think this run was going to happen. But temperatures in the low 50s are an opportunity not to be passed over lightly. And once I got started I was glad I did because it was about as beautiful a morning as one could ask for.

Started intentionally slow due to the hamstring soreness and general stiffness. That mostly worked itself out by the end of mile one and I could concentrate on keeping a reasonably steady pace. I sped up slightly on the second half of this run but all of the splits were comfortably over the nine minute mark.

Conditions:
Hour: 7:30 a.m.
Surface: concrete
Weather: clear
Temperature: 55 degrees
Humidity: 83 percent
Wind: calm
Location: Lewisville, Texas
Shoes: Brooks Adrenaline GT 14

Injury update: Both hamstrings, but particularly my left, have felt tight since yesterday. They warmed up fine for this run but I can still feel the discomfort somewhat.

Training Run

Distance: 4 miles
Time: 34:23
Pace: 8:35 min/mi

Comments: Any run someone gives you a "Roll Tide" is a good one. Since it is Thanksgiving, I waited until the temperatures were out of the 30s to do this one and that worked out about perfectly. It was brisk that first half mile but pretty much perfect the rest of the way.

Overall I am feeling much stronger and knew I had this one under control. Still the conditioning isn't there yet and the effort was sloppier than I feel comfortable. Still, this was a very good pace and, even better, the variance between my fastest and slowest split was five seconds. Tough to get better than that.

Conditions:
Hour: 8:30 a.m.
Surface: concrete
Weather: clear
Temperature: 40 degrees
Humidity: 50 percent
Wind:
Location: Lewisville, Texas
Shoes: Brooks Adrenaline GT 14

Injury update: nada

Easy Run

Distance: 4 miles
Time: 36:32
Pace: 9:07 min/mi

Comments: Well that was certainly bracing. I thought the temperature was going to be in the 40s but it turned out to be just kissing freezing. Been awhile since I took a run with frost on the ground. As one might expect, the first mile was not particularly pleasant. And, as one also might expect, it got a lot better after that. While the overall pace wasn't earth-shattering, I did do each mile faster than the one before; one of the nice upshots of cold weather running and a solid day off.

Conditions:
Hour: 6:30 a.m.
Surface: concrete
Weather: clear
Temperature: 34 degrees
Humidity: 88 percent
Wind: calm
Location: Lewisville, Texas
Shoes: Brooks Adrenaline GT 14

Injury update: nada

Recovery Run

Distance: 2.5 miles
Time: 22:57
Pace:9:11 min/mi

Comments: I wasn't intending to do this run at all but when I got up the skies were clear, the temperatures were about perfect and I need any excuse I can find to get back into my running routine.

Of course I was incredibly stiff starting out. And, once again, even though I tried to keep the pace down the first mile, I knocked it out quicker than was advisable. The second mile went well enough but I was clearly battling harder than I needed.

Instead of the usual four miles, I settled for 2.5 because I don't want to push it so hard I break my workout streak due to exhaustion.

Conditions:
Hour: 8:30 a.m.
Surface: concrete
Weather: clear
Temperature: 60 degrees
Humidity: 92 percent
Wind: calm
Location: Lewisville, Texas
Shoes: Brooks Adrenaline GT 14

Injury update: nada

Easy Run

Distance: 4 miles
Time: 36:45
Pace: 9:10 min/mi

Comments: Actually didn't intend to get a run in today. With the forecast calling for rain all day I figured I'd get a day off and then focus on Sunday as my next opportunity. But by mid morning the rains had not really materialized and the temperatures were pretty close to ideal. So I got my errands done and put on the running shoes.

Of course I was stiff to start due to my first run in weeks yesterday. And while I intended to do the first lap slow, I did it a bit too fast. I slowed down considerably each lap after that but my focus was just on getting the four miles. Which I did.

Conditions:
Hour: noon
Surface: concrete
Weather: overcast
Temperature: 60 degrees
Humidity: 99 percent
Wind:calm
Location: Lewisville, Texas
Shoes: Brooks Adrenaline GT 14

Injury update: nada

Easy Run

Distance: 4 miles
Time: 38:38
Pace: 9:39 min/mi

Comments: After another pause in the running regimen I was back out on the pavement. When temperatures dip into the 20's I have to really consider how much I need that morning run. But today things are balmy as a front is about to arrive. Since the rain held off I really couldn't ask for better conditions.

This run went well except for the fact getting out this early means contending with the neighbors' enthusiastic sprinkler policies. I deliberately started slow but then slowed even more (although I personally felt I was going a decent clip by the end). The legs held up well. I'm calling it a win.

Conditions:
Hour: 5:45 a.m.
Surface: concrete
Weather: overcast
Temperature: 60 degrees
Humidity: 99 percent
Wind: breezy
Location: Lewisville, Texas
Shoes: Brooks Adrenaline GT 14

Injury update: nada