It ain't Chinese algebra!

Glad to be done. Hopefully last nights storm was the last one for a while. I ran through the back-roads to the north freeway exit, starting with 5 easy miles:

• 6:49
• 6:28
  
• 6:30
  
• 6:27
• 6:30 (32:44)
  

I then turned around and came back the same way and picked up the speed. It felt good to see my watch in the 5:##'s again. It's been a few weeks since I've done anything fast. Splits:

• 5:25
• 5:22
• 5:33
• 5:18
• 5:28 (27:05)

I felt really good on the second 5 miles. A little tired by the end, but nothing major. I walked a bit, then jogged 1 more mile very easy to finish off the run.

Sinister (77)

Swimming Pool.  I ran 30 laps in 44:00.  Fun stuff.

I'm not sure how this weekend is going to turn out, so I did my long run this morning. It was 14 degrees when I started, but it felt fine. I began by zig-zagging through town for 7 miles so I could have the street-lights to guide me. I stopped at the college right at 7 miles for a bathroom break, so I stopped my watch as I took care of business.

Time: 45:59

Pace: 6:34

I grabbed a quick drink of water and from that point on felt much better. I ran the Wal Mart Loop, plus 2 miles on the west frontage road. Made my way back into town, past the high school and then home, finishing right at 13 miles for the second portion.

Time: 1:23:28

Pace: 6:25

I'm very pleased with the last 13 miles. There was a good mix of uphills and it was a challenging route. That Wal Mart Loop is a killer and returning back on the west frontage road is 2 miles of uphill as well. Anyway, another good run.

Total Time: 2:09:27

Total Pace: 6:30

Red(140)

Pool Running. Did 20 laps in 30 minutes. I love how good my legs feel after these workouts. Pain in my hips, knees, and hamstrings are completely gone when I'm done.

I had National Guard this weekend, but was able to get away from the armory for a quick race this morning.  I didn't get dinner until 10:30 last night because of playing army until 10pm.  Oh well.  I'm glad Montgomery was cool to let me leave for a bit and run this race.  I did 3 miles easy to loosen up before the race began.  Most of the quick SG guys skipped the race, but Nicholas McCombs was there, so I quickly kissed 1st place goodbye.  The gun went off and I hung with Nick for maybe 1000 meters, but by the end of mile 1, he was putting some major distance between us.  Each mile continued as the first and by the time I reached the dam, Nick was pretty much a speck in the distance.  I ended up taking 2nd to Nick by over 60 seconds. He averaged 5:08's and left me in the dust. I ran a P.R. though, so I can't complain. Last year I ran a 27:16 and won, this year a 26:48 and 2nd. I'm okay with that.  I wasn't wasted at the finish, so maybe I didn't go hard enough?  Either way, it was fun to race a shorter distance for the first time in 8 months.  I finished off the day by running back 1 mile to catch Jan, then ran the last mile along side her.  She did great given her limited training.  It was a very fun day.

2007	2008
5:12	5:18
5:25	5:22
5:33	5:29
5:36	5:24
5:28	5:15
27:16	26:48

It's interesting the difference between the 2 years.  The footing was firmer this year because of the rain/snow we received earlier this week.  That made a big difference, I'm sure.  I thought I went out faster this year, but I guess not.  Also, both years I developed a cramp in my gut around 3.5 miles, but I was able to push the discomfort away easier this year.  Or maybe it was worse last year?  Either way, a much better race this year.  I'll gladly take the more "even-ish" splits this year.

Total Time: 26:48

Pace: 5:23

Sinister (87)