ORN: 5.3 miles
Not exactly a "leaping" run this morning, as my new friend "Mid-Week Soreness" rode along with me.
But, hey, it was 50F this morning at 5:20am in Indiana in February. Today made the fifth time, I think, I've been able to run in shorts in February. The last two winters, I never got into shorts until late March. Just amazing. And I don't miss the snow at all.
It also meant I ran 153 miles in the calendar month. As near as I can tell, that's a record. Amping up the miles in preparation for Kal Haven is working.
Enjoy your Leap Day...it'll be four years before you get another one!!
Persevere.
.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Friday, February 24, 2012
Race Report: Freezing 5K
ORN: 3.1 miles, 24:24, 7:53/mile
One of the benefits of living in a college town is the surprising activities that pop up. For a runner, this means some small race on most weekends of the school year. Many are forgettable but this one caught my eye. It was on a Friday afternoon at 5:30, I had already decided to take the day off to finish off our taxes and what better reward for slogging through Form 1040 than running a race?
And even better, this race was a fund raiser for the Purdue Engineering Student Association. As a Purdue Engineer myself, it made perfect sense, even if I graduated in 1975. This photo could have been me back in the mid 70s.
So, we gathered to run the 5K. And it was quickly evident virtually all of us were engineers. I'm guessing maybe 8 of us had actually graduated...the other 80 runners were engineering students.
We confirmed we were all engineers as the Race Director gave us directions. She made a statement that included the phrase "The loop is about 1.5 miles" and she was booed!! This was a collection of engineers and, instinctively, we all knew engineers never use the word "about"!!! I've never seen that in any race!
The hilarity continued. In a very engineering way. Standing around in the start pack, we spontaneously wondered just how the various engineering disciplines would measure a 5K race, to wit:
What was also fun was when Ross walked up and greeted me. We've been good friend with his parents since before he was even an idea for them. He's now an engineering student. A great kid, we had a wonderful talk and had our photo in front of the famous Purdue Engineering Fountain right before the race.
One of the benefits of living in a college town is the surprising activities that pop up. For a runner, this means some small race on most weekends of the school year. Many are forgettable but this one caught my eye. It was on a Friday afternoon at 5:30, I had already decided to take the day off to finish off our taxes and what better reward for slogging through Form 1040 than running a race?
And even better, this race was a fund raiser for the Purdue Engineering Student Association. As a Purdue Engineer myself, it made perfect sense, even if I graduated in 1975. This photo could have been me back in the mid 70s.
We confirmed we were all engineers as the Race Director gave us directions. She made a statement that included the phrase "The loop is about 1.5 miles" and she was booed!! This was a collection of engineers and, instinctively, we all knew engineers never use the word "about"!!! I've never seen that in any race!
The hilarity continued. In a very engineering way. Standing around in the start pack, we spontaneously wondered just how the various engineering disciplines would measure a 5K race, to wit:
- Civil Engineers would identify waypoints via GPS
- Mechanical Engineers would use laser markers
- Industrial Engineers would attach RFID tags to all the runners
- Electrical Engineers would rig complete wireless connectivity
- Agricultural Engineers would just put a shock collar on each of us
Knee-slapping, rip-snorting humor. Seriously, it really is. Engineers are like this when they get together. We didn't have enough time to tell the best engineering joke ever, the one about the poles on the right-hand side of the plane, but you get the idea.
What was also fun was when Ross walked up and greeted me. We've been good friend with his parents since before he was even an idea for them. He's now an engineering student. A great kid, we had a wonderful talk and had our photo in front of the famous Purdue Engineering Fountain right before the race.
Oh yes, the race. We did get started on time. The organizers were not entirely sure just where the start or finish line but we seemed to get it "about" right. We ran two laps around the heart of the Purdue academic campus, which was a treat in and of itself. I ran pretty much by feel, having left my Garmin at home. Just tried to run smooth and steady. I was very pleased to finish with a sub 8 minute pace.
My funny bone intact, I was home promptly for Friday night enchiladas. Nothing quite like hanging out with some fun-loving engineers, unless it is engineers who also run.
Tomorrow, we rejoin our regularly scheduled distance running pattern.
Persevere.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
On Soreness and the Timing Thereof
ORN: 5.2 miles, 55:06, R/W 6/1, 10:36/mile
I've always read and experienced that the sorest day after a long run is two days hence. A tough marathon on Saturday, most sore on Monday. So I've been surprised over the past three weeks to see that pattern altered.
As I've done long runs on both Saturday and Sunday, I've found my sorest day to not be Tuesday but Thursday. Three weeks in a row. The first time, it was so sore, I just cut off the run to a mere 1.4 miles. Last Thursday was stiff but tolerable. This morning was kinda the same. Creeky at first, loosened up a bit, but still sore. All this despite the fact that my run yesterday felt fine.
Not sure what the action here is, but I note it for the worldwide physio-therapeutic community (which I KNOW breathlessly follows this blog :-) ) to comment from their collective scientific insight.
Persevere!
.
I've always read and experienced that the sorest day after a long run is two days hence. A tough marathon on Saturday, most sore on Monday. So I've been surprised over the past three weeks to see that pattern altered.
As I've done long runs on both Saturday and Sunday, I've found my sorest day to not be Tuesday but Thursday. Three weeks in a row. The first time, it was so sore, I just cut off the run to a mere 1.4 miles. Last Thursday was stiff but tolerable. This morning was kinda the same. Creeky at first, loosened up a bit, but still sore. All this despite the fact that my run yesterday felt fine.
Not sure what the action here is, but I note it for the worldwide physio-therapeutic community (which I KNOW breathlessly follows this blog :-) ) to comment from their collective scientific insight.
Persevere!
.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Running Safety
She didn't see me at all. And nearly plowed right into me while I ran a couple of mornings ago. The closest call I've had in years this morning.
Many of us have to run in the dark to get the miles in. I've learned a few things in my years in the dark.
I don't usually worry too much about traffic coming towards me. I can see it clearly, I wear reflective gear, year round, if I'm running in the dark and it lights up nicely. I also don't worry too much about traffic coming from behind...I always run on the left side of the road, the reflectors light up and I also have a flashing LED clipped to the back of my belt. I've not had close calls in these settings.
But, dark corners in a quiet neighborhood...that's a different story. Virtually every close call I've ever had has been in this configuration. A sleepy driver, seeing no other headlights, desperately seeking Starbucks and not expecting a runner rolls through an intersection, turns and, wham, there is a guy running. Which means, as it did this morning, the guy has to be watching.
And ready to leap to the side. And yell.
Run defensively.
.
Many of us have to run in the dark to get the miles in. I've learned a few things in my years in the dark.
I don't usually worry too much about traffic coming towards me. I can see it clearly, I wear reflective gear, year round, if I'm running in the dark and it lights up nicely. I also don't worry too much about traffic coming from behind...I always run on the left side of the road, the reflectors light up and I also have a flashing LED clipped to the back of my belt. I've not had close calls in these settings.
But, dark corners in a quiet neighborhood...that's a different story. Virtually every close call I've ever had has been in this configuration. A sleepy driver, seeing no other headlights, desperately seeking Starbucks and not expecting a runner rolls through an intersection, turns and, wham, there is a guy running. Which means, as it did this morning, the guy has to be watching.
And ready to leap to the side. And yell.
Run defensively.
.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Will Run Kal-Haven, after all
ORN: 14.0 miles, 2:27:20, 10:32/mile, R/W 4/1
After a really lousy long run several weeks ago, I truly wondered if I should show up and attempt the Kal-Haven 33.5 mile Trail Run, even though I had registered last December. After I bonked, badly, on a simple 18 mile training run, I seriously questioned if it was wise to take on this trail race again.
I went back to the drawing board, so to speak, read up on ultramarathon training and modified my pattern of three 5 mile runs during the week and a single long run on the weekend. Instead, I went to two 5 milers and then two long runs on the weekend. I gave myself three weekends of this pattern to see if I could take the increased mileage, knowing I'd need it to enjoy the Kal-Haven race.
Today was final test in the series of 6 runs. And I passed. After doing 20 miles yesterday, I followed up with 14 very enjoyable miles this afternoon. No pain, no soreness, no nothing (no eagles either, but, hey, you can't expect that on every run). And my last mile of the day was the quickest of the entire weekend, a Kenyan-esque 9:43. The last three weeks have had 41, 31 and 45 miles, respectively. And I've enjoyed it, with no negative results.
So, I'm going to book a room in scenic Kalamazoo, Michigan for March 23, take an early start the next morning and enjoy a long day in the woods. With more confidence than I had a few weeks ago.
You can never stop learning. Big lesson there.
Persevere.
.
After a really lousy long run several weeks ago, I truly wondered if I should show up and attempt the Kal-Haven 33.5 mile Trail Run, even though I had registered last December. After I bonked, badly, on a simple 18 mile training run, I seriously questioned if it was wise to take on this trail race again.
I went back to the drawing board, so to speak, read up on ultramarathon training and modified my pattern of three 5 mile runs during the week and a single long run on the weekend. Instead, I went to two 5 milers and then two long runs on the weekend. I gave myself three weekends of this pattern to see if I could take the increased mileage, knowing I'd need it to enjoy the Kal-Haven race.
Today was final test in the series of 6 runs. And I passed. After doing 20 miles yesterday, I followed up with 14 very enjoyable miles this afternoon. No pain, no soreness, no nothing (no eagles either, but, hey, you can't expect that on every run). And my last mile of the day was the quickest of the entire weekend, a Kenyan-esque 9:43. The last three weeks have had 41, 31 and 45 miles, respectively. And I've enjoyed it, with no negative results.
So, I'm going to book a room in scenic Kalamazoo, Michigan for March 23, take an early start the next morning and enjoy a long day in the woods. With more confidence than I had a few weeks ago.
You can never stop learning. Big lesson there.
Persevere.
.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Bald Eagle Sighting
ORN: 20.2 miles, 3:40:10, 10:54/mile, R/W 4/1
What an awesome surprise!! I headed out the door just after 8 this morning on a 20 mile training run in sunshine and temps in the low 30s. I decided to run two different 10 mile out and back routes from my house. The first loop was down Our City's Single Hill to the Wabash River and back.
Around mile 4.5, on the trail approaching the river, I met a couple of fellow runners running away from the river who told me excitedly "You gotta see the eagles!" And as I came around a turn, there they were. Three adult bald eagles, perched high in the trees overlooking a lagoon off the river, hoping for a tasty breakfast.
Closer to their perch was bird watcher with a camera and huge telephoto lens. I stopped and chatted with him. He was waiting for them to swoop down to fish and get some action photos. "They are very patient birds," he told me, smiling, "so I need to be patient as well." He focused his big lens on one of the eagles and invited me to look at the magnificent bird.
Wow. It filled the frame and, with no leaves on the trees, we had a clear view of the eagle, proud and alert, looking every bit the regal creature it is. It was inspiring. We chatted a bit more and I continued on my run, beaming.
About 15 minutes later, I had hit my turnaround spot and came back to the lagoon. My patient friend was still there and we chatted again. Just then, two of the three eagles spotted something and sprang from their perches. Swiftly, purposefully they descended and circled, wings spread wide, tails precisely steering the approach to water's surface, to snag their unsuspecting prey. No more than 20 yards from us as they came to the surface, we had a terrific view and patience was rewarded with some terrific images.
This is not his image, but this is sure what we saw...the hunter, in full aerodynamic control, talons bared, eyes intent, skimming the water, getting its prey. The two birds then circled the lagoon again and resumed their high perch. Patient again.
It was thrilling, magnificent.
We are fortunate to have some 20-30 bald eagles now resident along the 15 mile stretch of the Wabash River centered on our fair city. I've seen them several times before but never so close.
What a treat. And one of the wonderful "fringe benefits" of getting outdoors and running, year round.
Oh yeah, the run also went well...test #5 of 6 passed.
But how do you top a personal view of a bald eagle's flight???
Persevere...and be patient.
.
What an awesome surprise!! I headed out the door just after 8 this morning on a 20 mile training run in sunshine and temps in the low 30s. I decided to run two different 10 mile out and back routes from my house. The first loop was down Our City's Single Hill to the Wabash River and back.
Around mile 4.5, on the trail approaching the river, I met a couple of fellow runners running away from the river who told me excitedly "You gotta see the eagles!" And as I came around a turn, there they were. Three adult bald eagles, perched high in the trees overlooking a lagoon off the river, hoping for a tasty breakfast.
Closer to their perch was bird watcher with a camera and huge telephoto lens. I stopped and chatted with him. He was waiting for them to swoop down to fish and get some action photos. "They are very patient birds," he told me, smiling, "so I need to be patient as well." He focused his big lens on one of the eagles and invited me to look at the magnificent bird.
Wow. It filled the frame and, with no leaves on the trees, we had a clear view of the eagle, proud and alert, looking every bit the regal creature it is. It was inspiring. We chatted a bit more and I continued on my run, beaming.
About 15 minutes later, I had hit my turnaround spot and came back to the lagoon. My patient friend was still there and we chatted again. Just then, two of the three eagles spotted something and sprang from their perches. Swiftly, purposefully they descended and circled, wings spread wide, tails precisely steering the approach to water's surface, to snag their unsuspecting prey. No more than 20 yards from us as they came to the surface, we had a terrific view and patience was rewarded with some terrific images.
This is not his image, but this is sure what we saw...the hunter, in full aerodynamic control, talons bared, eyes intent, skimming the water, getting its prey. The two birds then circled the lagoon again and resumed their high perch. Patient again.
It was thrilling, magnificent.
We are fortunate to have some 20-30 bald eagles now resident along the 15 mile stretch of the Wabash River centered on our fair city. I've seen them several times before but never so close.
What a treat. And one of the wonderful "fringe benefits" of getting outdoors and running, year round.
Oh yeah, the run also went well...test #5 of 6 passed.
But how do you top a personal view of a bald eagle's flight???
Persevere...and be patient.
.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Gear: Heavy Duty Head Fleece
In the midst of winter, it's good to keep warm. And earlier this winter, I picked up one of the best pieces of winter gear I've found in a long time.
It's a heavy duty fleece with a long tail I can tuck into my collar. Not a great looking fashion statement but who's worried about that when the wind chill is in negative figures??
Persevere.
.
It's a heavy duty fleece with a long tail I can tuck into my collar. Not a great looking fashion statement but who's worried about that when the wind chill is in negative figures??
Persevere.
.
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