Training Run

Distance: 4 miles
Time: 37:22
Pace: 9:20 min/mi

Comments: After the 20 miler this weekend, I was willing to take whatever I could get this morning. And my expectations were not particularly high. I was completely wrecked after that long run.

So I was very cautious at the start and nervous about the achy spots that showed up to say "Hi" as I got going. But then, to my delighted surprise, they all faded away as I got warmed up. After the one mile mark I pretty much cruised the whole way.

In short, nothing less than a fantastic run to start the new year.

Long Run

Distance: 20 miles
Time: 3:52:16
Pace: 11:37 min/mi

Comments: I knew I wanted to get a 20 miler in at some point this New Year's weekend but I was undecided on the exact day. I was doubtful about my readiness today but with ideal temps and the possibility of rain over the next two day forced my hand.

I knew it was going to be rough and so it was. I started extraordinarily slow and I focused on keeping my pace down the whole way. A lot of this run was mental and it was a battle the whole way.

The last five miles were unpleasant to the extreme. No need to regulate the pace at that point; I took whatever I could get. The fatigue was relentless and every step of the last mile or so was its own little death. Ironically, since walking would be as agonizing as running, I really had no reason to stop.

Got it done with a reasonable average pace. Hopefully this is a building block for better things to come.

Training Run

Distance: 6 miles
Time: 56:03
Pace: 9:01 min/mi

Comments: The goal this week is the routine. I got a strong night of sleep and felt pretty good when I woke up. I got out the door and eased right into this one without a lot of hesitancy and apprehension.

Not surprisingly, the run went rather well after that. I started at a nice pace to warm up and slipped into a very good rhythm after that. I let my mind wander a bit more than I should but never needed distraction to handle fatigue.

It's very clear the strength is still there despite the inconsistent schedule recently but I can't afford to let the conditioning slip.

Training Run

Distance: 4 miles
Time: 38:04
Pace: 9:31 min/mi

Comments: The goal this week is to get fully back into the routine. I know what I want to get as a long run next weekend but that's not the focus. Three runs during the week is the priority.

This one started a little slow but I warmed up rather well and was doing a nice clip toward the end. The temperatures have been unseasonably warm and humid this week so I prepared for it to be a slog.

It turns out the cold front came through while I was out there so it was actually a few degrees cooler on the second half of the effort. Not sure if it helped but it kept things from sucking so bad.

Training Run

Distance: 4 miles
Time: 38:09
Pace: 9:32 min/mi

Comments: This run was pretty awful. I've not been consistent at all in my routine and I had the arrogance to think I could just zip out and grab a long run. Well, I think I can say with some confidence that the time off has cut into my conditioning a bit.

Of course this morning it was chilly, rainy, foggy and blah. I figured it would be like that all day. Then the minute I step out the door to run, the sun comes out. And with the humidity, it was not pleasant at all. Needless to say, the long run didn't happen.

Training Run

Distance: 4 miles
Time: 36:00
Pace: 9 min/mi

Comments: The last two days have not been fun. The 18-miler took a ton out of me and I felt it through this morning. Then, weirdly enough, I was fine. Getting started with this run wasn't a chore or battle. I had a moment my legs felt a little rubbery but that was about it. I just got started and churned it out.

I did the usual effort at starting slow with shorter steps but gradually and naturally let myself speed up. By the end I knew I was going a pretty nice clip but never really raised the exertion level to anything seriously uncomfortable. The nine-minute-mile pace was a nice surprise at the end.

Long Run

Distance: 18 miles
Time: 3:27:50
Pace: 11:33 min/mi

Comments: I was really dreading this one. And for good reason. I really dialed back over the last two weeks and while I've felt very strong on each of the recent runs, that's not the same as a full-on long run.

With the brutal cold set to arrive this afternoon, I was forced to run this in slightly warmer conditions than I would like. It started fine but, by the end, temps were in the mid-70s and the sun was out in force.

So that stacked the deck against me right when fatigue jumped on my ass. I was feeling it at 12 miles but the last four got worse every next step. The real long runs are just as important for testing your mental toughness and this one sure as hell did that.

Training Run

Distance: 4 miles
Time: 36:16
Pace: 8:04 min/mi

Comments: With the prospect of it getting stupid cold this weekend, I tweaked my running schedule to get my runs in before that happens. So I took another two days off and put in the usual four miler today. Tomorrow will be the long run.

And today's run was excellent. Started purposefully a little slow but warmed up well and slid right into a groove. I kept pretty focused on the effort as well instead of relying on letting my mind wander to get through it. I even picked up the pace to avoid traffic at one stretch with little issue.

Training Run

Distance: 6 miles
Time: 55:39
Pace: 9:16 min/mi

Comments: It was dark and foggy and chilly this morning. So perfect running weather. I was thinking I should have worn gloves at first but, by the five minute mark I was fine. This one was a strong effort from start to finish. I probably could have pushed it a bit but having done a run just 12 hours prior, I didn't think that would be the smartest plan. My legs were a bit creaky at the very end as it was.

Training Run

Distance: 4 miles
Time: 35:03
Pace:  8:45 min/mi

Comments: After a week off I was determined to not let this week slide as well. I put in 100 miles in November so, perhaps, a respite was a good idea but the trick is to get back in the routine as soon as possible.

As I expected, my legs were pretty strong after the layoff. I cranked this out at a very solid time and felt pretty good the whole way. I need to be careful and not overdo it since I really want to get my long miles in on Sunday.

Still, felt good to be back out there.