Tuesday, May 1, 2012

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

6 comments:

  1. I can't believe your distance guesstimates based on perceived effort are accurate enough to calculate your ANNUAL mileage to within 0.5 miles...you are IN TUNE man! Ha, ha, my space watch doesn't even come close.
    Looking forward to running with you guys again soon.

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    1. ^^^ Immature and inappropriate (like always).

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  3. Killer Wednesday workout! Good luck with the Rainbow.

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  4. Yeah, Rainbow looks like a cool, scenic race. Go for the cash!

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  5. If there's a Rainbow sequel next year, I'd like to run it as I see the course runs right through the 'hood where I grew up in Richmond. For this year, I just may come down and cheer you on. Good luck either way!

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