Time on Legs - What a week!

What a great week of running! I had such a horrible last week of training that I was not too sure how this week was going to turn out. It all started with a great run on Sunday and ended with the fastest long run ever. Yesterday I ran with one of my training partners for 12 miles. We averaged a 9:41 pace! I know we should have slowed it down, but the pace felt great and was easy to maintain. This has been the best week of running I have had in a very long time.

Some of it has to be about the fuel. I have all but eliminated beef from my diet. Not for any higher purpose, but I seem to feel better if I do not consume it. What a bummer, because I do love my steak. I have also noticed a drop in my weight which is good news.

I have spent my week also catching up on my favorite podcasts. Steve Runner is on the final count down to running the Boston Marathon and his recent podcast on the state of the course was excellent. It is exciting to hear how well his training has gone this time out. I encourage all runners to listen to his podcast. Also, if you want an uplifting and humorous podcast to listen to then subscribe to Burning 20. The world traveller Adam Tinkoff always has brightens my day and I am sure he will brighten yours as well. I am participating in his goal to run 1000 miles in 2007. I am currently at 263.5 miles.

enough for now...

That Dang Internet

Time to toot a horn. Recently the local police force made several arrests of Internet predators. The story can be read on Denver 9 News. I am proud to say that the ability to get that done was started by me when I was the boss of those detectives. Those with children, especially young girls, who are out on the Internet need to carefully watch what they are doing online. The Internet is a great tool, but it has also allowed the predator a new avenue of attack. You would think that that with shows like Dateline on the air it would lower the incidence of this type of behavior. It does not. I admire Chris Hansen for what he exposes. I also applaud all of those detectives out there working hard to protect our children.

Time on Legs - Amazing

Yesterday I headed out for my run that started my training week. My weeks are a little strange and begin with Sunday and my long run is on Friday. So, I headed out for a nice leisurely run. The weather was perfect, it was 70F sunny and no wind. The trails were packed with people because of the nice weather. As I started I was thinking about that horrible run I had on Friday. But, I felt pretty good so I just started running. I owed my schedule 5 miles. My first mile was at a 9:30 pace! I could not believe it, this was smoking fast for me and it felt great. I kept up the pace and expected my usual slow down in the middle of this particular route. That did not happen. I watched my Garmin 205's average pace reading creep down as the run continued. By the last mile I was clocking about a 9 minute pace and the average pace was at 9:15.& I was still feeling strong. I took the last .2 mile in a sprint and finished off with a 5 mile time of 46:15 or a 9:13 pace! This was the fastest run I have had since starting up my running over a year ago. What a motivator!!

Time on Legs - Wreaked

This week's running has been a mix of highs and lows. Early in the week was some good running that seemed pretty productive. I concentrated on slowing down and enjoying my recovery runs. Tuesday had me run an 8 mile speed workout. It was a tough run, but felt pretty good. Yesterdays long run was just the opposite. I was scheduled for 11 miles and at 8 miles I could not run another step. My legs were screaming and my body was experiencing some severe "tummy issues". The down side is I like to run out and back so by stopping at 8 miles meant I had a 3 mile walk back to my car. A very disappointing run! Fortunately, I have a good support network in my running buddies. My friend, Dean, called to see how the run went. He has a lot more experience than I do and he offered both advice and encouragement. That was what I needed for the day. It is so important in this individual sport to have friends who run. They understand the good and the bad of the training and keep you motivated. What a treat to have such friends.

It is hard for me to believe that 27 years ago I became a United States Marine. I recently had the pleasure of visiting San Diego and seeing my old Squadron. The picture above is me standing outside the flight line. As an unfocused and undisciplined high school senior I really had no idea what I wanted out of my future. I still count my decision to enter the Marines (spent 9 years there) as the most important life changing decision I have ever made.

Semper Fidelis.....

Time on Legs - Spring is in the Air

So there I was, sitting on my tractor cleaning out the horse area and suddenly I hear my name on Phedippidations as the blog of the week. It was great to be recognized on his podcast. Then I thought about how I slacked off yesterday and did not go out for my scheduled 4 miler. My week has been pretty sluggish. Tomorrow I head out for my long run of 11 miles. I am looking forward to the two hours to myself on the trail. Of course I spend it with the likes of Steve Runner of Phedippidations, Adam Tinkoff of Burning 20 and Running from the Reaper.

I really enjoy these long days to get my, time on legs.

Time on Legs - Warming up

It has been a bit since I have added anything to this blog. Life has been pretty busy. It has finally warmed up here and the snow is all but gone. The running has been pretty good in the outdoors. It feels great to get back outside. On a day when Steve Runner is forced inside due to -20F weather is was 62F here in Colorado. Strange how there can be such differences. Of course, when I was forced inside due to deep snow and treadmilling it and listening to Phedippidations, Steve was running in mild 50F weather.

This week is a rest week of sorts. I only run 4 days and max miles is one 6 miler. The week total is only 21 miles. You can view my training stuff on my running calender on this blog. Just about 7 weeks until my mini-marathon on May 6th.

As an aside, I seem to not enjoy running as much these days due to the grind of a training program. This is the first time I have undertaken any formalized program. It seemed more fun to me when I decided when to run and how far. Now I find myself dreading some of my runs. I continue to draw motivation from my friends and running partners and the ultimate goal of the future race.