Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Weekly Log 5-31-11 to 6-5-11

Monday: 6 miles - Burlingame trails alone.  I thought that Sunday's weather was soupy, but this morning was worse, so I don't know how to describe it.  My lungs felt wheezy at times, despite my "recovery" pace and the fact I never have breathing issues anymore.  I debated taking a zero, but I had the opportunity to run in the morning and went for it.  At the top of a hill, another runner approached me, and he looked like he was in pretty bad shape - so it wasn't just me.  Total time: 45:30. 

Tuesday: 9 miles - Ryan Park trails solo.  I was curious how my body would feel in the warm weather today - 85 degrees, but dry.  I planned on 9 miles, but I would cut it to 7 if I was too hot.  This never materialized, and what began as an easy paced run, evolved into a sprint by the end.  My body regulated itself well, and I didn't feel thirsty or overheated.  It was a little warm in the direct sun, but pleasant in the woods.  The grasses in the fields have grown noticeably in two weeks, and are now shoulder high and full of grasshoppers that sound like miniature dirtbikes.  The single track trails were very spider webby - I guess no one has been through them in a while.  I also ran into my first of season deer flies.  Total time: 62:38. 

Wednesday: 10 miles - Quonset Bike Path 9x400 workout with Calf Pasture Point warm up and cool down.  The forecast was a little ominous, so I got my run in a little earlier than normal.  It was 80 degrees, sunny, and humid.  Oh, and really eerily windy.  My legs felt pretty good today and I was looking forward to the speed work.  The first 5 400's were directly in the wind most of the time and were probably run in the high 80's.  After the first two, I had the urge to quit the workout, but after another two, I was sort of enjoying it, and added an extra 400 at the end.  I forced myself to complete my planned cooldown.  My reward was a delicious dark roast ice coffee.  Total time: 1:14:48. 

Thursday: 9 miles - Saunderstown hilly roads alone.  My hamstrings were noticeably sore today after yesterday's speedwork, but I was still looking forward to running the hills.  I ran the usual (harder) route, and at a pretty good pace.  I probably should have gone slower and not pushed myself so much.  The highlight was flushing a night heron out of the Gilbert Stuart stream.  Total time: 65:38. 

Friday: 7 miles - Rome Point trails with coworker.  I thought I would do more miles today, but my legs were not up to it.  We took it slow and steady.  Total time: 54:53. 

Saturday: 0 - day wedding for my band

Sunday: 10 miles - South County bike path 4 miles in the afternoon.  I ran alongside my son and his friends on their bikes.  The weather was perfect, and the bike path was busy.  My son was definitely very tired and wanted to quit after 2 and half miles, but I was proud that he was able to finish it all.  Lots of quick stops and various rates of speed.  Bullhead in Genesee Swamp, and a good sized water snake very close to my feet.  Later in the afternoon I ran 6 miles in Burlingame (down to the pond and back).  My first mile (on the road) was just under 7 minutes, so I tried to continue that pace (and improve it) as I ran my favorite trails.  I wasn't pushing too hard, but I felt good and fast.  Total time: 41:19. 

Overall:  I was happy to get to 50 miles again.  It felt like an easy week of running for some reason - nothing long or too fast. 
Weekly Total: 51 miles
Last Week: 61 miles
Year to Date: 957 miles

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Weekly Log 5-23-11 to 5-30-11

Monday: 8 miles - Calf Pasture Point and Mount View roads (some trails and beach mixed in) alone.  Busy day at work and crummy weather.  I wasn't excited about running anywhere, but this run was kind of fun.  Total time: 56:43. 

Tuesday: 10 miles - Saunderstown roads 8M and Rome Point trails 2+M alone.  I ran my hilly loop backwards and instead of doing Plum Beach Rd at the end, I opted for some Rome Point single track.  I spent more time in the woods than I thought, and the run ended up being longer than I expected (a tad over 10).  It felt good to run at a decent pace in the warm humid air.  Total time: 1:12:49. 

Wednesday: 10 miles - Wickford roads 3M alone to Rome Point trails 7M with coworker.  My hamstrings, etc. still feel tight from basketball three days ago (it's tough getting old!), and I didn't feel that great running the 3 miles on the roads.  My pace wasn't bad (7:15) and it was hot.  Running on the trails was so much nicer, and at a slower pace (7:30ish).  Speedwork tomorrow.  Total time: 1:13:46.

Thursday: 10 miles - Calf Pasture Point roads, trails, and beach plus Allen Harbor roads alone.  My legs still feel kind of tired and I didn't feel like doing any speedwork.  I felt pretty good, but I think the heat is affecting my time - 1:15:09.  The plan is to go for 60 this week - 12 miles Gravelly Hill trails tomorrow and then 10 more between Saturday and Sunday in Burlingame. 

Friday: 12 miles - Gravelly Hill trail out and back x 2 alone.  I'm really excited about this run.  It was hot, I just ate lunch, and it was hard.  I really pushed myself.  The trail is so fun to run - lots of hills, tight turns, and all single track.  My first split was 20:07 for 3 miles - by far my fastest for this course.  I felt it right away when I turned around and had to climb.  The uphills felt harder, and I was a tad slower 20:42 (40:49 for 6 miles).  I drank water and a little iced coffee and headed back out.  I decided to take it easier, as I was very pleased with the first lap.  I noticed that after starting convservatively, my pace quickened as my body recovered.  Still, it was a slower split 21:58.  I turned around and felt better on the climbs going back this time.  I tried to push myself the entire time and finished the last 3 miles in 20:57.  I was happy with my total time of 1:23:46 - 5 minutes faster than my previous best, and sub 7 minute mile pace for the entire 12. 

Saturday: 0 - got in some good George W brush clearing cross training.  Flacos and the park at night. 

Sunday: 11 miles - Burlingame trails with Greg.  Very soupy out - felt like a normal summer morning.  We took it slow the first couple of miles.  I got confused on the unmarked mtn bike trails and we ended up repeating a section.  Good thing it was awesome single track.  We passed a lone runner and then a hiker on a usually humanless area.  Our pace definitely quickened, and we were hitting all the fun trails.  We made sure to note any wild azalea and lady slippers.  We finished up by doing the old camp loop and then taking the NST to the beaver pond.  A great run, and a new weekly mileage PR - 61!  Total time: 1:21:30. 

Weekly Total: 61 miles
Last Week: 46 miles
Year to Date: 906 miles

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Weekly Log 5-16-11 to 5-22-11

Monday: 7 miles - Rome Point trails 4M with Brad (28:17) and Saunderstown hills (roads) 3M alone.  Dreary weather day.  I was happy to have company on the trails and then I tacked on a couple of decent hills at a good pace.  Total time: 49:01. 

Tuesday: 9 miles - Ryan Park trails with Dan.  After telling my brother on the phone that I wanted to take it easy this week, and Dan asking if I wanted to run an easy 9 miles with him, I almost PR'ed today.  Dan tricked me into running hard.  I felt like we were going 5K pace, and I was having trouble staying on him.  After about 4 miles, he backed off, but told me to keep it up.  This is about the point that my body starts to feel really comfortable, so I did as I was told.  After making it through the tougher single track, I found myself sprinting the old railroad bed.  I was trying to figure out how hard to push myself, as I wasn't hurting leg-wise or breathing-wise.  I continued through the fields, working on my effort.  I finished up in 57:40 - not quite a PR (57:17 on 3/22/11), but an unexpected great run. 

Wednesday: 9 miles - Rome Point trails alone.  Considering the weather this week, I was able to run in some decent conditions today - brightening skies and 65 degrees.  I stuck to my plan of taking it easy, even though my splits weren't too shabby.  Total time: 67 min. 

Thursday: 9 miles - 8x400(??) workout on Quonset Bike Path with Calf Pasture Point warm up and cool down.  Okay, I'm getting frustrated not knowing exactly where all the 400 marks are, and I'm wishing I could borrow a stupid Garmin watch to figure it out.  Zooming in online only works so well.  I have a good idea where the first 400 mark is (4th tree on the left after the last garden on the right - do I sound crazy?), so my SOP is to record that time, and then run for the same amount of time on the next 7 400's.  The first 400 I tried to really push myself, and I clocked in at 82 seconds.  It felt hard, and I wasn't excited about repeating it 7 more times.  Maybe it was the humid and warm weather.  Anyway, I completed the workout, whatever it was.  Total time: 66:30. 

Friday: 12 miles - Charlestown Breachway to Moonstone Beach via the beach, then Green Hill and Charlestown roads plus more beach alone.  This was not Plan A or Plan B.  I knew I had a half day at work so that I could help my wife set up her annual library book sale and then I was going to pick my son up at school.  There was a decent window in between for me to run.  I was going to run the Gravelly Hill trails, but the sun came out, and I had the urge to run along the ocean.  I thought I should be able to run the shore from the breachway all the way to Matunuck and back.  I knew there was a possibility of a salt pond breach that would cut short my beach run, so I was prepared to change course if necessary.  The weather was perfect and not too windy.  The tide was pretty high, and I had trouble getting around a couple of manmade rock piles protecting ocean front homes in Green Hill.  I hit Moonstone Beach and then I ran into a piping plover road block.  For some reason, instead of just certain areas roped off for them near the dunes, the entire beach down below the mean high tide line (state of RI public right of way!) was posted as no access.  I was annoyed by this, but the tide was so high that I would have to run in the restricted area if I wanted to continue.  So, I turned around and hopped onto the Green Hill neighborhood roads (which were more numerous and confusing than I expected).  I decided to head north to Rte 1A and then west to the Charlestown post office.  I ran by the house I rented my senior year (for sale), and then into the neighborhood where my wife and her friends rented in college.  I made my way back to the beach, and decided to run the shore again back to the breachway.  All little more roads than I wanted, but a nice 1:30 run in the sun! 

Saturday: 0 - quiet morning with the kids, then afternoon spent setting up band equipment followed by football, basketball, and 3 hours of nonstop bass slappin' at night (50 songs!). 

Sunday: 0 - tired! 

Weekly Total: 46 miles
Last Week: 53 miles
Year to Date: 845 miles

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Weekly Log 5-9-11 to 5-15-11

Monday: 9 miles - Saunderstown hilly roads alone.  This is the third week in a row I've done this route (counter clockwise), and I wanted it to be my fastest.  The problem is that I never feel fast doing this hilly course.  It was another nice sunny day and it was wonderful running the scenic back roads.  It's hard to tell if I'm improving on the big climbs, because it always feels really tough, but I think that I may be running them faster as time goes on.  I was happy with the total time of 65:19. 

Tuesday: 10 miles - Wickford roads solo.  Another repeat from last week - I wanted a fast 10 mile time with fresher legs.  The gray cool weather was ideal for running, but the screaming wind at times was not (at least when it was in my face!).  Last week I ran 69:03 without trying too hard and on tired legs, so I was guessing I could easily go 67 minutes.  My secret hope was that I could be 66 or faster.  My first mile was 6:21, and then I tried to push through my normal miles 2 through 5 let down.  At the 5 mile point I was at 32:54, which is definitely a PR for me.  I was really excited about this, but I was a little weary that it was wind-aided, and the next 5 would be more challenging (a lot more headwind).  I found my thoughts wavering between consciously thinking about running faster and random day dreaming, only to be interrupted periodically by a barking dog or a car creeping into the shoulder.  My breathing felt great, and I think it's only my leg speed that keeps my running back.  I was really excited to see my final time of 65:40 - 6:34 pace!  My final 5 miles clocked in at 32:46.  I recovered quickly, and know that I could go faster in a race situation.  63?? 

Wednesday: 9 miles - Ryan Park trails with Dan.  Blogger erased this day from my blog.  Thanks.  69:52. 

Thursday: 7 miles - Rome Point tails with Tom.  I haven't had the chance to run with him in a long time - six kids under six will do that!  It also has made him a fast runner.  If he gets to run, it's only for a half hour and he makes it count.  The plan was to run 4 miles with him and then do a few more on my own.  He immediately broke out into a quick pace, and I just tried to keep close enough to still hear him talk.  We made it to the point in 8:30 - the fastest I've ever done it for sure.  We continued on, weaving through the cedar grove in record time and then he dusted me on the hill.  I was very impressed.  After four (plus) miles we returned to the parking lot in 27:09.  I debated even going back out, since my legs were dead.  I figured a cooldown would be beneficial so I tacked on 3 slow miles. 

Friday: 10 miles - Quonset Bike Path and Calf Pasture Point roads, trails, and beach alone.  Finally, a nice sunny day, and I was looking forward to running in the great weather, despite my tired legs.  I was expecting to see more people wandering around, but found I had the paths to myself for the most part.  The only unusual sighting was a 40 ft double wide dock that washed up on the beach from somewhere, and a dead wild turkey, also on the beach.  Total time: 1:16:17. 

Saturday: 0 - home with the kids

Sunday: 8 miles - Burlingame (eastside) trails alone.  A dark run after dinner on my favorite home trails - unblazed mtn bike trail to Sammy C's to Vin Gormley to more unblazed mtn bike trails.  I was moving pretty good and really felt it in my lungs on the quick steep ascents.  No cougars or coyotes, not that I was running from them.... Total time: 55:56. 

Overall: Fun week!  Excited about the 10 miler on Tuesday.  I think I want to do mostly trails this upcoming week. 

Weekly Total: 53 miles
Last Week: 50 miles
Year to Date: 799 miles

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Weekly Log 5-2-11 to 5-8-11

Monday: 9 miles - Saunderstown hilly roads alone.  I'm beginning to think that the new hill I found (Plum Point Rd), is steeper and harder than the Gilbert Stuart Road one.  Luckily, this course hits both, plus two more.  I never felt great (I'm blaming yard work and shoulder rides), but I was pleased with my effort and total time of 67:30. 

Tuesday: 10 miles - Wickford roads alone.  I ran a flat course that Dan and I had run a couple of times last year.  I again didn't feel fast, but pushed ahead, determined to go sub 70 minutes on tired legs.  I cursed the strong SE wind when applicable.  I was enjoying the new shade created by leafing trees, and was able to reach my goal - total time 69:03. 

Wednesday:  9 miles - Rome Point trails and beach solo.  The gray, but dry weather was welcomed.  It also kept the majority of the humans and their best friends away.  My plan was to keep my pace under control, and it felt good to not push myself.  I was a tad annoyed that the calm wind reported on the weather sites was too good to be true, and I encountered a stiff headwind on the beach.  It was nice to see a new face out there running though.  And the skate I almost stepped on.  Total time: 65:00. 

Thursday: 10 miles - 6x800 workout on Quonset Bike Path with Calf Pasture Point warm up and cool down.  Sort of a strange weather day - sunny one minute, raining the next, repeated often.  I was enjoying the bird activity on the warm up and cool down, and even stopped to "pish" a yellow colored warbler in closer to me (couldn't identify it).  The workout itself began disappointingly, but got better.  I thought I would be 2:55 plus or minus 2 seconds, but was upset that my first two were 2:59 and 2:58.  I wasn't pushing myself that hard, and was expecting to hit my target without a great effort.  I picked up the intensity, and kept getting faster.  My last 800 was interrupted halfway in by an unleashed doberman.  I had to stop and protect myself while the owner attempted to corral it. 
I'm getting tired of this.  Your dog is not well behaved around people.  Keep it on its leash!  Anyway the results:  2:59/2:58/2:56/2:55/2:54/2:52  total time: 1:13:32. 

Friday: 6 miles - Burlingame trails alone.  I had the day "off" from work to help my dad move furniture out of my grandfather's house and into his.  I knew it was going to be a tiring day, but I figured out a way to sneek a run in.  I ran to my dad's house via the woods, and packed my small Camelbak with a change of clothes.  I was expecting to go slow, due to my workout the day before, but was feeling really good.  I hit some of my favorite trails on the way for a total time of 43:40.  Moving was exhausting though. 

Saturday: 0 - aquarium and lunch with my kids and my mom.  Carpenter bee tennis around my house. 

Sunday: 6 miles - Burlingame trails alone.  I wasn't considering running today, but my wife told me I should go run in the morning.  I was moving pretty good despite not trying too hard.  Total time: 42:09. 

Weekly Total: 50 miles
Last Week: 48 miles
Year to Date: 746 miles

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Pics from Sunday

 A busy day on Sunday:  Chores inside, followed by brush removal outside (is it possible to love this activity more than George W Bush?), a hike in Arcadia, ditch digging at home, and then a quick trail run. 
Out with the old, in with the new (inov-8 roclite 295's)
white pine forest in Arcadia

I decided to sprint up and down this hill a couple of times

the old farm homestead