Where did this run come from?

I did not run yesterday due to a thunder storm coming through just exactly at the time I needed to be running. That was fine as I needed to take a day off and this just helped to make the decision on which one.

So today I went out for a noon time run. What amazed me was the fact that I was almost a full minute faster per mile for the 5.27 miles that I ran. If I could run at this pace for a Marathon, I would be very happy. I guess the training is helping me and I am thankful for that. This also shows me the benefits of a rest day.

My total miles for the year now is at 699.91. I am tempted to go run a tenth of a mile, just to cross over the 700 mile mark for the year.

July is shaping up to be another solid running month for me.

A hot run

On an evening where the temperature was 95 degrees (and this was the evening), I managed to run a nice 3.7 miles. This is well on the way to the start of another solid running week. I was still able to post a fairly decent pace time for the run.

Right now running is very important to me, just because several other areas of life are facing challenges while I have better control of the results of my running and this gives me a feeling of success.

My total miles for the year now has reached 690.89 miles.

My weekly long run

On a warm Sunday afternoon with 93 degree temperatures, I did my planned long run for the week. Amazingly enough, I did not have to sacrifice speed while running 8.02miles. This was a good run. If the heat had not been there, I would have gone ahead and done 10 miles.

How easily I am able to run the first mile seems to determine what the run for the day is going to be like. If I struggle in the first mile, I will not be able to make up the time and recover a fast run.

As I was running along the Blackwater Creek trail for this run, I found myself coming into a stetch of the paved path where there was a steep incline on both sides, with one side being rock. About 75 yards ahead, a small deer stood eating the leaves off of a bush. I continued to run and the deer did not seem to even notice or care that I was getting close. I realized that she was not going to have anywhere to run unless she tried to go ahead of me. At about 25 years I slowed down and as I did so, she turned to watch me. I steadily walked towards her and got beside her within 6 feet. I stopped and we exchanged looks at each other. I put my hand out and she seemed to be entertaining the thought of coming to sniff my hand when bicyclers suddenly came into view for both directions. They both slowed down to watch, but the deer decided to use her long legs to start up the hill. This was certainly a fun moment in my run for the day.

Number of runs

One of the goals that I had this year was to run 250 times. Last year I ran 213 times and this was good. In fact that was my highest for a year but my goal was to increase those extra 37 times to get to 250. With my average run being a little over 4 miles this year, the extra runs would give me an additional 150 miles and really help towards my mileage goal for the year. Even reaching that number of runs, I would STILL have over 100 "off" days during the year, meaning that this is not an unrealistic number. How am I doing? Well, today's run made it 162 so far. This puts me well ahead of my goal.

It is interesting that I find myself feeling guilty when I take a day off from running. Yesterday I took the day off, which is well within the plan. Sure enough I started feeling like I was missing an opportunity to put another run on the books. I need to make note of this feeling and make SURE that I DO take the days off. Rest is a big part of the development of the whole body for running and allows the body to "heal".

Today's run was a nice 5.28 miles giving me 679.17 miles so far for the year.

Thanks for reading.

Running through life

After a little bit of a computer problem that I am still not sure what was happening, I am able to post my runs again. I have had runs of 3.46, 3.64, and then 5.07 miles this morning to give me a good week of running in progress.

I am normally am afternoon/evening runner but find myself switching up a bit for the next few days. This is partially being done because of my schedule but also because this is supposed to be a hot stretch and the morning will be the best running time.

I am now firmly entrenched into the 2,000 KM goal for the year, having caught that pace bunny and using that as a goal. This seems to be a logical progression of goals after already reaching the 1,000 mile mark last year. I am already 2/3 of the way to 1,000 miles for this year and it is only mid-July.

Happy running everyone.

Hello.....anyone out there?

When I started this blog at the beginning of the year, I was hoping to be an encouragement to other runners and seek to help them reach their goals. I have a way of monitoring the number who read the blog and it has been indicating a dwindling number of readers. That being said, I have backed down from posting while other matters of life pressed in. Then I got a couple of emails from people asking if I was alright and I knew that some people DO check in and will now try to post regularly again.

Since my last report I have run the following amounts of miles: 5.33, 6.00, 8.10, 5.22, 6.80, 1.50, 5.27, 4.30, 3.50, and today 6.0. I only took one day off from running in the midst of those 10 runs. Realizing that I am trying to average 3.38 miles a day now, this obviously was a good stretch of running. The one day when I only ran 1.50 miles, I was trying to put in some mileage for the day while waiting for a thunder storm to hit. When it did arrive, I was in the house quickly. A lady in Virginia Beach that week had been hit and killed by lightning while running on the beach.

I now well ahead of the 1,000 mile pace for the year, leading by 127 miles. This has meant that my focus now is on the 2,000 KM mark for the year. This would be a great accomplishment since that would put me over the 1,240 miles for the year and a significant increase. We will see how it goes.

To those who are reading and have noted my slow down in posting, I apologize. Thanks for the kick in regards to being more faithful in reporting.

My mileage for the year now stands at 661.57 miles.

Reaching the half year mark

It is hard to believe but we have reached the exact half year of the year 2008. With this being a leap year, the first half has 183 days in it. I am pleased with my first half year of running. My goal had been 1,000 miles for the year and at this stage I am at 609.55 miles, well above the goal.

My runs to end the first half year that I need to report were of 6.21, 3.68, and 5.45miles. These were all good runs and I am pleased with my new approach of running a little less intensely for some of my workouts. There has not been enough variation in my approach to the various runs. I guess the competitive nature in me wants to always go out and "beat" what I have done before. This does not help my training though.

I am so thankful for the health and condition that I find myself at for this stage of the year and in my life.