Professional Runner!

Been a pretty solid week of running... Did an extra five Monday night, then 4x1600 (with 800 rest) Wednesday as part of a seven-miler. Mile times were 8:04, 8:09, 8:10, and 8:00. I'm happy with those splits. 23 miles this week, with another four set for tomorrow before my 9 am shift at the running store.

Saturday also makes two weeks since I won the Masters division at the Nucor-Holt 5K. This was the race I circled on my calendar. I was healthy going into this race, I was motivated and I was ready, since a guy got my age group trophy in 2011. I'd hoped to beat last year's time of 27:45, when a guy (who was walking) passed me in the last 200. I also thought about a PR, bettering my 23:08 at Arcadia last year.

Thunderstorms came through about 5:45 that morning, so temps were cool, unlike last year's hot and sticky conditions. The race was even delayed because of lightning.

The course is downhill for the first mile, split was 7:17. The second mile levels off and takes you past the steel plant and gives you time to think about the agony that's on its way. Second mile was 7:09. I felt like things were going well, but I was only paying attention to my race, what I was doing, and who was around me.

The third mile is everything it's been advertised to be. Maybe the hardest mile in town-- solid uphill, with a few brief plateaus mixed in. I managed to pass good friend and coworker Mike (he of the 100-mile madness) on the first incline, and just kept on going. And going. And going. It was some of the hardest running I've done, and my heart rate even peaked at 190, which probably isn't the best thing. I spent a lot on this mile, and was breathing very hard.

I got to the crest of the last hill and came up on the last straightaway, where I lost my trophy last year, and saw that I had a chance to get in under 23 minutes. But given how hard I worked, I didn't have a closing sprint in me. My Garmin said 23:08 as I crossed the line, and someone handed me a finisher's card with a 9 on it. Wow. I knew I'd run well, but didn't really know how well until my card went up as 40+ champion!

I had to get home, cleaned up and get to work, so I couldn't stay for the awards. My coworker Ed brought my race swag to the store later on in the morning..

This is by far the biggest Shiny Metal Object I've ever won. What's more, winning the Masters division brought a $50 prize. Plus, the official time was 23:07, beating my time last year by over four minutes, so I set a personal best at the hardest course in town. Short of the marathon in February, I don't know if I've ever felt more satisfied.

New Week

Today I took my IsoShift shoes for a morning spin, leaving the house just after 8:00. The mornings in our part of the world have been pleasant of late, allowing me to drink a little extra coffee. That's the good part. What's bad is that when I leave later, I get back later, and that cuts into the rest of the day.

But anyhow, I cranked out my seven-miler and am back here telling you about it. 62:13 was the time, average pace of 8:53. I'm strongly considering a double today-- maybe adding a four or a five tonight, nothing strenuous. There's a .75 oval here in town that's safer to run on at night. I find that I like front-loading my running during the first part of the week, as it helps keep mileage up without too much of a commitment on Saturday morning. It works well for retail wonks like me who don't really know what the schedule will look like week to week, but will usually involve a Saturday shift.

I'm still trying to keep my weeks in the 25-mile neighborhood. No races on the horizon, but maybe a flat 5K to close the season.

One to Grow On

So here's my latest "on again" blog phase. We'll see how long it lasts this time.

My running has been pretty solid of late, with the exception of last week, when I kind of lost my mojo a bit.

A few weeks ago, the First Lady and I drove to Kansas City to see a family member get married. I won't bore you with details of the trip, which included driving 800 miles home in 13 hours to make a shift at work (long story).

I always make it a point to bring running shoes on these excursions, and this was no exception-- I'd set a goal of four runs for a six-day trip. I brought my Brooks Adrenaline 12s and My Pearl Izumi IsoShift shoes. My first run was in the KC metro area, and we managed to catch a break weatherwise, as the temps were in the 60s for my 7:15 run. I found a nice path similar to my local one, and banged out a five-miler at 8:50 pace. I also noticed something strange in the air-- or, not in the air. The humidity was way down-- it was dry outside. Probably has something to do with 1000 ft altitude. I'm used to walking outside into air so moist you can cut it with a knife, but this was way different, in a good way. Terrain was road/residential and not much about hills.

The second excursion was the same neighborhood, two days later. I pushed my luck, taking off at 9:15 to run a 6.5. Average pace was 8:49, and the only thing I forgot on this trip was my heart rate monitor, so no info there.

I only managed to get halfway to the goal of four runs, but I was happy to make the two.

More to follow-- including new kicks, more socks, and a new personal best!