It ain't Chinese algebra!

10 miles around GP.  The rain began last night and continued throughout my run.  In a way it was cool--I kinda like it, especially when it's light and misty with fog laying on the hills like it was this morning.  But in a way it's not cool--knowing that 95% of my runs for the next 8 months are going to be wet, cold, really wet, or a combination of the three is a miserable thought...

10 miles this morning.  I ran to the HS and then ran 4x800 with a lap jog between each.  The rest was too long but I figured for my first speed work in a while, I'd let it slide.  Times were 2:44, 2:44, 2:42, 2:40.  Not the quickest workout ever but it's a start.

PM: 3 miles with Ryan.  The rain increased, temperature dropped and both of us weren't dressed accordingly so we called it quits a little early.

AM: 11 miles in GP.  Up to the North freeway exit, past club nw and then back home via the HS and Fred Meyer.  I finished 'Ultramarathon Man' by Dean Karnazes last night.  I don't recommend it.  That pretty much sums up my book review.

PM: 8 miles around Coos Bay.  I ran past some tennis courts with 3 guys playing and apparently in need of a 4th.  They yelled out 'do you play tennis?' and when I said 'nope,' they offered 10 bucks if I'd join them. I kept running but said if they'd make it $20 I was in.  Sadly, no offer came so I kept on going.  I'd rather run anyway...

Nothing today.  My right foot has been bothering me the past week.  It's still been runnable but my stride has changed due to overcompensation so now my calf is tweeked.  I figured they both could use a rest although mentally it was a frustrating day--I don't like to miss a run!

Back at it today.  My foot felt great through six miles, bothered me a bit around mile 7 and then was off and on until I finished.  I can't tell if rest is helping or not.  I run tomorrow and then hopefully the weekend off will get things back to normal.

There was a run (5k/10k) in the town about 45 minutes from here (Jacksonville) but due to a number of reasons, I didn't race it.  I figured I could get nearly the same workout by just heading to the HS track and running some quick laps after a warm up.

10 miles around GP, mostly west of town along Redwood Rd before returning through downtown and ending up at the track at exactly 10 miles.  The morning was perfect; cold enough for gloves but warm enough for short sleeves.  No rain but the fog was so thick that I could feel the mist on my face and had low visibility (<20 ft) during a few sections.  After arriving at the track I stretched a bit and then got started with my solo 5k.

First mile in 5:17 (78, 81, 80, 77).  My goal when I began was for no slower than 80 seconds on each lap.  Not sure why I faltered on the second lap but no biggie.  My average was under goal pace so that was good.

Second mile in 5:15 (78, 78, 78, 79); 10:32 total.  Feeling good, no complaints.

Third mile in 5:12 (77, 78, 79, 75); 15:44 total.  I always seem to slow down on the next-to-last lap/repeat/mile/etc.  It's mental.  I take my foot on the gas and save some for the end.  Lame.  It's something I need to work on correcting.  Final 200m in 35 seconds for a final time of 16:19.

I'm pretty pleased with my 'race.'  I'm pretty sure I couldn't have gone another 3.1 miles.  I didn't want to anyway...  The time was my PR territory just about 18 months ago so to be able to run these splits by myself on a cool October morning, I feel pretty good.  I doubt it means anything significant but the morning wasn't a total waste either. ;-)

4 mile cool down.