run, run, run

2011 has been a good year so far. I ran a pretty good race here three years ago, but have been slower each year since. So this year I really wanted to pick it up.

I was hoping to hold a pace anywhere under 7 minutes per mile. After about a tenth of a mile, I looked down at my watch and saw that I was going close to 6. Too fast, but I felt pretty good, so I didn't back off too much. After about a half mile I settled in to a pace between 6:45 and 7.

Most of the race I was running alone. I had music on my iPod, which I usually don't do during a 5k.

After the race I stuck around to see if I wold get a ribbon. When they go to my age group and called out the third-place name and then the second, I thought oh well, it was fun. Then they said the winner of my age group had a time of 21:33 I thought "Hey, that's my time." Then they called my name. I've never won my age group before. That was kind of cool.

Boise, ID 6:30 am

Pace: 7:55

Cold again. 13 degrees. We cut it a bit short this morning, but kept up a good pace.

Meridian, ID 7:30 am

Pace: 8:05

I was going to run 10 miles this morning, but got out too late. It's probably a good thing anyway because it was really cold. I was fine until about mile 5, then my hands and face were getting really cold. I listened to talk podcasts. That usually slows my pace down a bit.

Boise, ID 6:30 am

Pace: 7:53

We went the whole way this morning. The weather had warmed up to 19 and I think we were tired of cutting the runs short. It didn't seem as cold starting out, but I was pretty chilled by the end. Good strong pace.

As expected, I added a few lbs over the holidays. Ready to get back on the diet wagon now.

Boise, ID 6:45 am

Pace: 8:11

The temerature is still hanging in at 19 degrees. I went all the way down Edna to Maple Grove and then back on McMillian and Cloverdale. Listened to a podcast for the first half, then music. Picked up the pace, but didn't get real fast. Just cold.

Boise, ID 6:30 am

Pace: 7:58

It's like Groundhog Day. Every morning I wake up and it's 19 degrees out. Run was about the same as the others this week. Started out cold and felt even colder by the end.

Meridian, ID 11:00 am

Pace: 7:51

Good run today. I didn't have any family commitments, so I slept in, made me some waffles for breakfast and then went out running. It was nice to run in the sunshine and a little bit warmer weather. It was up close to 30 by the time I left.

One thing that was nice about this run was that my pace was under 8 minutes on every mile. Mile 11 was in 7:59 -- close one.

I dressed well for the elemets. Didn't get too warm, but didn't freeze either.

Boise, ID 6:30 am

Pace: 7:57

Surprised by a light dusting of snow this morning. Wasn't really slick though. But I did fall down once when I saw a school bus coming and kind of freaked out and slipped turning a corner.

Today is my New Year's Day. I extended the holidays a week. Now, I'm sick of eating bad and ready to start lifting again.

Boise, ID 6:45 am

Pace: 8:40

Cold and slow. 15 degrees. Couldn't really even get it going this morning. At one point I caught myself closing my eyes. I must have been hoping I could sleep-run or something.

Boise, ID 6:30 am

Pace: 8.08

 Had trouble getting the pace down again today. Started out ok, but then on the return trip I had a head-wind that seemed to be dragging me back. Plus I had a pretty light dinner last night. And I had trouble with the temperature -- too warm with the wind at my back, too cold when I ran into the wind. Is that enough excuses? If not, I'm sure I could come up with a few more.

Boise, ID 6:20 am

Pace: 8:26

Don't know what the problem is right now. I'm not motivated and when I do get out there I can't get the pace up. I think part of it is the cold and that I've been trying to reduce my calorie intake. The temperature was warmer today, around 30, but the humidity was higher to, so it was that cold that sinks into you bones.

Boise, ID 6:30 am

Pace: 8:08

A little slick this morning, but not too bad. A bit warmer too -- in the mid-30s. Still feeling tired. Maybe I'll be ready to pick up the pace on Monday after a day off.

Boise, ID 10:30 am

Pace: 7:35

Now that's more like it. It's amazing what a decent night's sleep will do for you. When I first got up the roads were icy and my wife told me I would be crazy to try to go out and run. But, since I am in fact crazy, I went on out anyway. By the time I actually hit the road things had dried out a bit and ice wasn't a problem.

Felt good holding a 7:30ish pace the whole way. Finished strong. Ready to face another Saturday.

Boise, ID 6:30 am

Pace: 7:49

Weather was warmer (39) and I felt pretty good. Maybe last week's funk is over. Kept up a good pace despite a few slick spots along the way.

Boise, ID 6:15 am

Pace: 8:10

Ran up Cloverdale to meet Neil at Overland. Still felt pretty good this morning. It was a bit cooler, around 30, but not bad. I kept a pace close to 8mpm on my way up, ran at a comfortable pace in the 8:20s while chatting up with Neil, then ran back in th 7:50s. Roads weren't slick. That was nice.

Boise, ID 6:30 am

Pace: 7:55

The temperature was only around freezing, but there was a breeze that made it feel pretty cold. Had a good run. Got under 8mpm by mile 3 and held it throughout. Expected some slick roads, but they weren't too bad.

Boise, ID 6:15 am

Pace: 8:08

Down into the low 20s this morning. Had a hard time keeping the pace at 8mpm. It was a pretty good run though. Went up Cloverdale to Edna to Maple Grove to McMillian and then through some neighborhoods.

Boise, ID 6:30 am

Pace: 7:54

Good run this morning. Only the first mile was above 8mpm and the last two were well under 7:45.

I wore my Ghost shoes this morning. Bad idea. I got a blister on the back of my left foot. Time to retire that pair, I think.

Boise, ID 10:00 am

Pace: does it really matter?

I went down hard this morning. It was foggy and slick out. The roads weren't too bad, but the sidewalks were really slick. There was a stretch where I couldn't run on the road and I was literally five feet from the end of the sidewalk and I went flying. I somehow landed on my ankle and had to turn around and limp home.
I had run every day except Sundays so far this month (year). I think my streak will end on Monday.