Weekly Log 4-30-12 to 5-6-12

Monday: 15.5 miles - DuVal Trails & Browning Trail (8.5M) with surrounding roads (7M) alone.  I had the day off of work to watch my daughter, but got to run for a couple of hours while she was at preschool.  I drove to the Browning Preserve first and dropped off a water bottle which was going to be about the 9 mile mark.  I then parked off of 1A at the Quaker Burial site and ran the slightly less than four miles of up and down trails out to Red House Road.  I was pushing the pace right away.  My legs felt fresh and I was enjoying it.  I did question this strategy of starting hard on a long run, but went with it.  I completed this trail section in 26:12.  I then ran Red House Road (dirt) out to Ministerial Road.  I ran north and then turned left onto Worden's Pond Road.  I was feeling great on the flat roads - my pace felt peppy and I wish I had a space watch to check it.  I was guessing right around 7 minute miles.  Even the small hills on this road felt smooth.  I noticed a couple of interesting side trails (to the south), but I stayed my course.  I turned left again at Shannock Road and ran south until reaching the Browning Trail.  I was 1:04 into the run.  I then ran the lollipop trail.  The woods off the road look swampy so I figured that's what I was in for, but the trail is mostly through a pine barren/oak forest.  The footing was excellent and mostly on pine needles.  I kept up my good pace, but now I was beginning to fatigue.  At the far end, there was an unmarked trail that I believe lead out to Worden's Pond Road.  I stayed on the marked trail, completed the trail in just over 23 minutes (posted as 3 miles, but I'm guessing it's a tad longer).  I then ran south on Gravelly Hill Road until I mercifully found the shortcut side trail back into DuVal.  My legs were tired, but I tacked on a mile loop because I wasn't running for as long as I anticipated and finished through the graveyard.  Total time: 1:52:23.  Great run.  Perfect weather.  Strong effort throughout.  945.5 miles through the first third of the year - on pace for 2,836.5!

Tuesday: 0 - good day to take off - terrible weather

Wednesday: 8.5 miles - Gilbert Stuart Road hill workout alone.  This was a last minute decision.  I was thinking speedwork on the bike path, but there was something drawing me to Gilbert Stuart.  It's a great place to visit in the spring - lot's of nature to distract you when your sucking wind after climbing the steepest hill around.  I measured out a mile from the brook which is flat for a 1/4 mile, then climbs (steeply at times especially near the end) for a 1/2 mile, then gently descends the last 1/4 mile.  I've done this workout in the past as a tune up for the mountains of Pisgah.  My plan was to go up and down 3 times.  I used to look at this as a 3 x 1 mile workout, but it's really a 3 x 2 mile.  Coming down is hard work physically.  My first mile felt horrible - I was too excited and my body felt tingly and my heart was pounding hard on the climb.  I was surprised at the time - 6:57 - way faster than any other time I've done it. 6:20 on the way down.  I then ran a mile cooldown and then began round two.  This time I felt faster and more in control, but the pain on the steep part near the end was almost unbearable.  Super happy with the 6:46.  6:15 down.  I jogged another mile, debating if a third round was necessary or smart.  I went for it.  This climb was the "easiest", and I thought it would be my slowest, but it was a 6:49.  Sweet.  I tried to let my legs turn faster on the descent and finished the last mile in 5:58.  I jogged around for a 1/2 mile before returning to my car.  Total time: 59:08.  Good workout. 

Thursday: 10 miles - Ryan Park alone.  Extremely busy day at work and I was excited to run until I was greeted by the 50 degree drizzly drab weather.  I got my act together and headed out, expecting to be tired from the hill workout yesterday.  Surprisingly, I felt really good.  I did the usual 10, but in a different order.  My pace was on the easy side, but not terrible.  Total time: 1:17:14.  I was able figure out childcare for Saturday morning, so I'll be racing the new Rainbow 10K in Richmond.  Can't wait! 

Friday: 5 miles - Rome Point trails with coworker.  A nice and easy run.  Total time: 38:17. 

Saturday: 9 miles - Rainbow 10K - 3rd overall - 37:34.  Good race.  Separate write up to follow. 

Sunday: 0 - first canoe ride with the kids - Glen Rock Resevoir in Usquepaug up to Dugway Bridge and back.  Great day for a paddle.  Lot's of nature to view and keep everyone interested - painted turtles, garter snakes, orioles, green heron, yellow warblers, American Redstart, and the more commons.  Lazy afternoon - legs feel tired - but spend the sunny hours outside which was nice.  Heard but not seen - first of year ovenbirds and worm-eating warblers.  Lady slippers are close to blooming.  Oh, and I forgot to mention the large milk snake I found in my basement getting out the canoe equipment.  Yikes!  At least it's eating mice.  Anyone is welcome to come get it out of there and use it as a natural rodent deterent for their house.  Thanks. 

Weekly Total: 48 miles
Last Week: 53 miles
Year to Date: 978 miles