Friday – great run to the Gazebo on the Navy Base and back – 5.2 miles.
Saturday – Another 6.4 miles over the hill, heading home from the Y.
Monday – Despite thinking better of it, I headed to the Gazebo during lunch – 5.2 miles. Felt every mile of the 35+ on the bike on Sunday.
Tuesday – blew off running.
Today – Swam 1500 meters. Used new watch/HRM with lap timer. Realized what I knew – that I’m a pretty consistent 55 second lap swimmer. Felt awful. Going to bed early.
Category: Run
Unexpected Long Run
So, my client calls me up about 9:30 today – “Hey, can we go over your project today?”
“Sure,” I say, for once completely up to date.
“Great” he says. “Didja bring your stuff to run? I’m heading out at 11:15.”
“Yep. Want to run out to the gazebo on the Navy Base?”
“Sure.”
That run did not happen. The next 6 hours were a mix of “Hey, can you wait just a second” and “So, are the changes done?” A very productive period, but kinda frustrating nontheless. Especially watching a brilliant blue noon drift to a grey and breezy afternoon.
In any case, I split the office with enough time to sneak in a run on the way home. I’d thought about just doing the run to the Gazebo myself, but thought better of it and headed to the north end of Jamestown Island. And started running.
You ever have one of those days when the sneaks finally hit the ground and suddenly everything’s all right? This was one of those. From the first couple of steps my plan for 20 minutes out and 20 minutes back was erased. Not sure why, but 8 miles popped into my head.
So, I set out to do eight miles. The forerunner hadn’t been used in a while, so he wasn’t particularly happy, but I started anyway and decided to guestimate the missed bit. To add to the challenge, I rearranged the normal loop I do to include the hill on North Main Street twice.
Yeah, I ate my Wheaties (OK, Kashi) this morning. Oooh, speaking of which – I really need to get back on the Eat Diary.
The run was exceptional, and somewhere around mile 5 I looked up and noticed that the clouds had pretty much evaporated, and what had been a grey afternoon was now bright and blue. The birds sang, the breeze blew, and the sun beat down on my ears.
As I came back to the soccer lot, the little voice in the back of my head started saying – “Hey, why not do another two to bring it up to an even 10?” I decided not to press my luck, mostly ’cause I knew that Missy and the boys were waiting. Taxes stress her out, even when I’m doing them, and even when the year is a net wash (refunds from Uncle and RI, need to pay CT through the teeth).
She headed out for a couple of mental health hours after supper, and the boys and I went for a bike ride instead of taking a bath (sssh, don’t tell, OK?) – me on the wife’s bike (the one with the “step-through” frame, ’cause I don’t ride no girls’ bikes…) Nate in the jump seat, and Jake on his two-wheeler, which he can get started by himself now. Still hasn’t figured out the brake thing from high speed – his reflex is to drag his sneaks to stop, and he ended up in the bushes on Sunday. Nothin’ big – just 10 minutes or so of fooling around, but man, is it good. Trash instead of hoops tonight, though – cannot be completely irresponsible.
Hope everyone else is as enamored of spring as I am. Jake pointed out the first dandelions in the yard. I think we’re makin’ salad this weekend!
Two Point Conversion?
Rather than completely punting last week, I ran home from the Y.
What a day! Weather was perfect, breeze was blowing onshore and uphill, and the “long” route was perfect. Didn’t press, came in at 59 minutes, or 9:20 per mile, and completely loved every step.
The cyclists were out in force, though every one I saw was riding downhill. Wish I could do that…
Still digging the run
So, this is like the umpteenth time in a row I’ve busted out the Navy Base run during lunch. And I’ll be honest – I really, really like the course.
Almost didn’t go. Big push at work this week. Forgot my iPod. Still sniffling.
But I went. Out was into the wind, all the way. Back was uphill, but wind at the back. Out in like 23 minutes and change. Back in 23 minutes and change.
Been using Breakingthetape to track mileage, etc. Jeff and Reece (and others) have been doing a great job putting together workable tools by real runners.
Great Friday, So-So-Saturday, and Sunday
Friday was good. Good run about 1; beautiful spring day. Did the Navy Base 5.2 miler in 44 minutes. Not cooking but good.
As I was wrapping up work, I realized that I hadn’t broken out the bike all March. Luckily, it’s been riding in the back of my car all week. So, I squeezed in a quick couple of miles on Jamestown. Feel better about it after running it through the Gmap Pedometer – the odo on the bike told me it was just over 8 miles; the map is saying 8.57. I’m lovin’ that, ’cause it bumps my average speed up over 16 MPH.
What a day.
Saturday was the Physical Readiness Test. Did better than last time by busting out 70 situps and 50 pushups. The mile and a half – completely different story.
I’ve been fighting a cold for the better part of a week, courtesy of the Groton Public School Systems (though it should be noted that the parochial pre-school we sent Jake to was just as fetid a pool of disease). Saturday morning, I knew it wasn’t going to be a good day.
As we finished the calisthenics, the next omen rolls in: What had been a beautiful spring day is sullied by grey, light rain, and a powerful breeze out of the south. Making things better, the run finishes with three quarters of a mile into the wind.
Started out pretty good. I was hanging with the fastest five or six runners for the first quarter mile. Then, one of the really tall guys just kind of stretches out his stride, and opens up about 30′ on us without breathing hard. The other three really fast guys opened up, too. Me and Mac, the guy who did the epic 19 miler with me back in October, keep legging it out together, past the turn.
After the turn, I initially opened up a little on Mac. But, into the wind, the cold, the snot, and the wind all worked against me. Effort was pegged, and extreme discomfort began to play a role. With about a third of a mile behind me, I heard Mac’s footsteps pounding behind me. That broke me.
It hit me that there was no way I’d be able to hold him off until the finish. I was spent. Dead on my feet. Enough juice to make the end, but not enough to pick it up and finish strong. So, I pulled up, Mac blew past, and I cruised into the finish. 10:22 for the 1.5 miles.
The time – not so shabby; I’m pretty much happy with anything under 11. But, man, was that a sucky run. Not because of the run, but because of the cold. I’d have broken 10 if I felt good.
Sunday – felt like crap. Completely muffed up ripping the sermon. Didn’t run. Didn’t bike. Didn’t get a nap. Went to bed early.
Tale of two runs
Ran the Navy Base yesterday and today. Kind of a study in contrasts, though neither run was “bad”…
Yesterday, I was feeling hale and hearty, strapped up the sneaks, fired up the iPod, and headed south. The sky was blue, the birds were singing, the breeze was moderate – absolutely great day to be running on the bay. Did a couple of hill sprints, pegged the HR at 178 at the highest, had no problem recovering. 5.2 miles, 44 minutes.
Yesterday afternoon, it became apparent that the littlest disease vector had, indeed, passed his latest specimen on to me. Went to bed around 9 PM, slept through till 6. Still felt crappy today, but hey – man’s got to work, right?
About lunchtime, I did the assessment – no symptoms below the neck, so I’m good to go, right?
Did the run, used the HRM, stayed at or below 150. Got mad ’cause I noticed I hadn’t started the stopwatch when I started running. Then remembered that I had started listening to the “Wait, Wait, don’t tell me!” podcast when I left. Finished the run just as the podcast wrapped up – 48 minutes.
So, virus or no, I think I did OK – only picked up 4 minutes.
early-ish to bed tonight…
Light Blogging Weekend Update
First, the beautiful: After a day of yard work, I had a stellar run Sunday on the way home from the Y. The weather was insanely beautiful, almost to the point of bringing me to tears; family swim had been a blast – even the youngest was playing in the water instead of just clinging fiercely to me. And the run home was one of those that makes running worth it.
Used the HRM again – kept the rate under/at 150 for the first four miles, then did three hill repeats at pretty much 4 miles, 5 miles, and 5.5 miles. Good stuff. Added a half mile after the last hill to bring the heart rate down. Total was 6 miles in 55 minutes. (Yeah, slow, but I’m running). Got back to the house with the sweet metallic/ammonia smell in my nose and the back of my throat after the hill repeats, but got my HR back down pretty quickly – within a quarter mile after the last repeat, which made me really happy. I’m already looking forward to next weekend, though I think I’ll switch up the route and go via the big hill in Old Mystic.
The ugly – after the great run last Wednesday down in Norfolk, the only thing I did before Sunday was a quick swim Thursday night. Bleh. Never really got into a groove, and struggled to crank out 1500 yards.
Next, it’s official – I’m fatter than I was last year. I suppose I should be upset, but not really. I think I’m finally starting to recapture the energy I had back last year.
Finally, I’m 4 weeks out from my two year bloggeversary. Which corresponds with the first time I’ve been consistiently fit for more than 6 or 8 months at a time. I like it.
‘Oooh Rah
The flight out of Norfolk is later tonight (ie, not late, in and of itself, but late in the evening, and I get into Providence around midnight). So I’m sitting here at the Abbey Brewery Resturant, waiting on service, and halfway wondering if I’m actually going to get anything to eat.
Turns out I do get something to eat from a waitress who is exceptionally inconvenienced by me. Or so it appears. Not that I mind – there’s time enough before the flight, and I’m looking out over the runway, watching the sky turn from pale to pink to rose to grey to Navy. And, it’s quiet in the waiting area. All that’s missing is free wifi, but I’ll get that in Philly.
Oh, yeah – running.
Wow, what a run this afternoon. The working group meeting broke up about 4 this afternoon. Not sure if a whole lot was accomplished – there’s a lot more folks involved with dollars and planning at the working group than with actual work. Which I suppose applies to me, too, thinking about it.
I’d packed for the trip with the best of intentions – all the running stuff and my kakhis, planning on recycling my civvies on both flights. Clean skivvies, so it’s not quite so gnasty as you might think. The initial plan was to wake up at 0500 and hit the road. But, the flight out of National was delayed, and I didn’t get to the Navy lodge until after 2300. Half an hour to wind down and realize the DSL line was down in the room, 15 minutes debating getting dressed again to trundle down to the lobby to see if I could get a new power adapter, and next thing you know it’s after midnight.
0500 arrived. I hit the snooze button, knowing I had a late flight, and expecting that the working group would be done early enough to run before heading to the airport. When I stepped outside to head to the meeting, I was greeted with a chill that I’d associate with the wind off of Naraganssett Bay, not the breeze off of Hampton Roads. And I’d left all the cold weather stuff up north…
Meeting wasn’t as bad as all that; and the gym on the Fleet Forces Command section of Norfolk has the finest locker room I’ve ever been in. Headed north out of the compound, and headed down the two-lane past the Marine Forces Command (MARFORCOM, all decked out in red and gold) buildings, and an elementary school.
About 15 minutes in, I cut across a disused baseball field, and ran past an obstacle course tucked in next to an access road, golf course, and highway. Turned left on the access road, and started running parallel to the highway. Painted on the access road were faded words: 1917 – Belleau Wood, 1942 – Corregidor and Bataan, 1944 – Iwo Jima (years are probably wrong, sorry). Overhead, a E-2 Hawkeye banked steeply, flared, and lined up on final.
The afternoon was beautiful, the run was perfect – 24 minutes out, 24 minutes back with some great fartlek running up random mounds on the side of the road and jumping off the top. Don’t have Gmaps Pedometer, so I’m not so sure how far the run was.
Oh, and it turns out that Candi (her real name), the waitress in the airport restaurant, was pleasant and gracious, and the crab cakes were indescribably good.
Off to Philly.
Technorati Tags: norfolk, rbf, running
UPDATE: The route was just over 5.5 miles.
Spring
Spring is seriously considering springing up here, despite the best efforts of the Canadians to export their surplus of cold air down here. Today was beautiful – clear, 30’s, and only slightly breezy, and I’m out of my head with stress. Not bad stress, but the good kind of productive stress. The company’s annual meeting was good, I’ve made a breakthrough with a project at work, and I finally get to travel a little again (Just an overnighter down to Norfolk, but hey – I love the smell of jet fuel). Plus, on the way down, I’ll get to see if Jeff’s really speakin’ truth about the flight into National (though not from first class – it’s the taxpayer’s dime as I’m wearing my sailor’s cap, and we fly distinctly coach. Which is a step up, smell-wise, from some ways I’ve traveled on your nickle.)
Saturday was three miles early prior to the annual meeting – (3.3 miles in 29:10 to be specific). I completely love the 3 mile route from our Waterford office – great hills (about 500 vertical feet in two big hills – first about 60-70 feet, second big hill about 150-160′ total, pastoral views everywhere despite being right next to IH-95, and only steps from the shower at either end.
Sunday, I did intervals on the treadmill. 32 minutes, about 3 miles. 90 seconds jogging, 30 seconds sprint. Dunno what good they did.
Yesterday, I blew off since work was tough, and I needed to get home for the Boy’s birthday. Boy was feeling snarky – hopefully his party with friends will be better this weekend. We’ll see.
Today – Got to work way early, got ready for a 9 AM meeting, did the meeting, followed up on some minor tasks, and 11 AM rolled around. I said “pshew”, grabbed the shoes, and went out to recharge the batteries (I’ve come to the conclusion I’m solar powered, which is a revelation after more than 15 years believing I was beer fueled. Both were distinct possibilities after burning out while going to sea in submarines.)
On the way out to the end of the causeway on the Navy Base, I tried to keep the HR down below 150 – not quite down in the “fat buring” where I’ve been for the last couple of weeks, but gentle. Managed to fight off the “small dog” syndrome just after going through the gate when I spotted some folks up ahead by zigging when I normally zag.
Man, what a day. The bay was crystal, the wind just brisk enough, the geese were pooping in the water, not the path, and life is good. Made it out to the turn at about 24 minutes, or at just over 9 minute miles.
The way back, I said “to heck with buring fat – let’s run”. So I did. Back to the building in just under 20 minutes! Felt good, felt strong, felt like what i needed to do.
So, listening to my body seems to be working. I’m starting to get concerned that I’m going to end up fatter this year than I was last year – 28 March was when I hit 169. I’d worry, but not so much. The weight loss will come (especially if I stop eating crap, which is a sacrifice I’m not yet ready to make).
I do need to start thinking about making the sacrifice – I checked out my early-December goals, and am nowhere close to making any of them physically. But mentally, I’m making great strides.
Monday mini-brick
AM – Pushups and Situps. I really, really need to do this more.
Lunch – run 30 minutes with HR about 140. 15 min out, 14 min back, probably 3.3 miles. Two telephone poles further than either of the 30 minute runs I did last week, which was encouraging.
After bathtime – 2000 yards at the pool with C, the not-so-new anymore engineer that did the Tris with me last summer. It’s kind of nice to have a training partner. Not that we’re pushing each other or anything, but just knowing that there’s going to be someone else at the pool is incentive not to slack.
Weight – still at 174 this morning. However, I hit 169.5 on Friday morning. I wasn’t the most responsible eater over the weekend, so I’m guessing reality is somewhere in between. I really need to get diligent about counting calories. When I do it, the pounds come off.
Tomorrow AM – run. Tomorrow after work – bike. (both gentle, 140 BPM for about 30 minutes). Tomorrow Evening – I read a week’s worth of other fitness blogs.