Long Run

Today was one of those days where one doesn't want to run, but after getting out it is amazing.

I set out for my "long run," after failing to do so for many weeks, at 8pm. The weather was cool with occasional drizzle of rain making for a very nice run. At mile 4 I met up with my friend Adam, a new runner, and did a mile with him.

After hitting my goal time for an hour, I felt so great I decided to tack on aother ten minutes, for about 8.1 miles. I do not feel drained at all, and with that middle mile with my friend toned down to my pace, figured it would have been about 65 minutes. Regardless, I feel rejuvenated and once again feel like running is great again; after dreading it for the past few weeks!

Weekly Mileage: 24 (Finally getting back up! Couldn't be happier!)

8k Tonight

This week, we had our weekly race on Friday, an 8k at Liberty State Park; overlooking great landmarks such as the Empire State Building, Ellis Island, and the Statue of Liberty.

The race was 2, 2.5m loops around the park. Despite steeping in a pothole and running into a pole, tree, and getting boxed in for the first time ever in a XC race, I managed to PR (this season) with a low 32.

The weather was great, no humidity or heat at all; but being so close to the water there was a nasty headwind on some parts of the course.

About 6-6.5 Miles total.

Tuesday/Wednesday

This week was all about getting my body back up to running shape after this random sickness. Tuesday was an easy 4 miles and Wednesday was 1mi w/up, 8 200-300m hill repeats, and 1mi c/d.

About 7 miles over both days

Finally!

After taking nearly a week off to recover from what I felt was an incoming illness, went out and did an easy 20 minutes to ease back into things, actually felt good.

2.5 miles

Monday 800s 5.75Mi Total

Monday was a nice speedworkout day, 800's uphill. Satisfied with this workout because I felt pretty sick and was still hitting 2:40s-2:50's not on a track so I'm definitely improving. 7 800's total.

Tuesday was 4-miles recovery in about 30-32 minutes, unfortuantely I've taken Wed/Thurs off because I feel I am coming down with something, everyone in my family is, and I really do not want to get sick.

8k Race Day

This morning started off with a pretty nasty rainstorm, as it has for the past few days, so I didn't really expect to have a meet at all. Regardless, I got up at 5am, downed some pancakes and coffee, and set off for school to start the two-hour trek, and try to convince him to do a closer road race instead.

To no avail, we finally arrived at Kutztown University; a very nice school with a beautiful campus. Right before the start a painful, cold rain started and I knew today would be fun.

The course was 2 loops out and back, first mile had a slight downhill and I went out in 6:16, two-mile split was 13:10, and no splits on from that point. Finished in 33:40, only one second slower than last week in much worse conditions and tougher course so overall I am happy.

This week, we plan to start increasing our mileage because it has been really pitiful lately.

On a non-running related note I had my first baseball game today in the 18+ Men's league with my dad/cousins and friend. I was the starting pitcher and went 4 Innings, 3 Runs, 2 Earned, 6 hits, 5 walks, 1 HBP, and 2 strikeouts. For never pitching before I was very happy with my performance. I went 0-4 and we went on to lose 7-4 in extra innings.

The field was destroyed from the storms the past few days, so it was basically playing baseball in quicksand.

Weekly Mileage: 19.1; going to break the 10% rule and try to get the team up to 25-30 this week.

Recovery (4.5)

Did an easy 4 mile recovery in around 33 minutes. Did 2 laps of striding straights/jogging turns.

4.5 Mi total

Wednesday - Hill Repeats

Nothing special, 10 200-300m hill repeats not timed, felt very easy and relaxed.

Barely 2.5 miles worth of running today; pretty sad.

7.1 Miles - First Day of So. Yr

So with a full day of classes from 9-150, I was exhausted and hungry come time for a semi-long run at 2:30pm.

Did an easy 7.1 miles in 60 minutes which felt good until about 5-6 miles in, where the dead leg symptom returned but I was not breathing heavy or exhausted at all.

Regardless the run went well; followed by a Phys Ed center meeting and baseball practice I was exhausted and came home to finish some homework.

First 8k of the Season

First 8k went much better than I expected. Started the morning off on the wrong foot by breaking my prerace breakfast (bagel w/ cream cheese + coffee) for a mini frozen bagel with butter hoping to avoid stomach problems. It did the trick because at the 11am start I was actually hungry and had no stomach problems throughout the race.

The day was a bit warmer than I would have liked, with temperatures in the 80's. I went out very easy in a 6:30 and was pretty satisfied with how easy it felt. Continued the race around that pace while picking off lots of kids to take a 30th place finish in 33:39, 4.5 minutes faster than my first 8k last year. It's good to know my training already has me started at a much higher level.

Took Sunday/Today off for some picnics and recovery; don't feel like pushing too hard or being super psycho about training just yet; trying to enjoy running for the moment.

First day of college tomorrow followed by a long run and a sports meeting; this'll be my first long, boring day of many after a very long summer break.

Weekly Mileage: 22, Pretty low due to a bad long run an three off days; expecting this week to be higher.

Easy 6

Did an easy 50 minutes, about six miles, with the team in a recovery/easy run effort. Nothing to report, legs felt good and am looking forward to (dreading) the race tomorrow, 6 am!

Took Friday off to recover, hopefully this race goes well, aiming for under 35, but as long as I break the time of my first 8k last year (38:xx) I'll be satisfied.

800m Repeats - 5 Miles Total

Did our speed workout on monday.

1 Mile Warm Up

1st 800

2nd 800

3rd 800

4th 800

1 Mile Cooldown

Was a great workout, not too fast but felt good to get the speed in. Will post times when Garmin charges.

6 Miles Easy

Did an easy 6 miler as my first XC practice with the team. Being the only returning runner, I'm taking on a more leadership type role to the freshman and newcomers, and I really enjoy helping others during practices, getting use to school, etc.

Got an easy 6 in, about 51 minutes. I'll post the splits tomorrow because by watch is not nearby.

Was nice to run with some new kids, felt very smooth and easy on this run; not too much dead-leg, hopefully this holds up for the 800's tomorrow, and the 8k on saturday.

Miserable (Sunday) Long Run

Once again the long run is the bane of my existance.

Set out for an easy 10-11 with my friend Nick. First three miles went well, all sub-8, but after that it went downhill. I felt horribly dehydrated at the three-mile mark, and by my four I took a walk break.

About 7-7.5 miles I called it quits, after even resorting to run-walking. When I got home I was inactive for the rest of the day, and really believe I was mildly dehydrated.

I put this run behind me and set my sights on our first 8k of the season, and doing what I can this week to stay fresh.

Weekly Mileage: About 26-27 miles