Boston -114 -- Sat. Dec. 26

Boxing day, reasons to celebrate, but this didn't pan out very well. Got up okay on a pretty frigid day and headed to Bill's to give him a ride to the Snowstorm 10K. Arrived in time to get nearly two miles of warm-up, but probably not enough (1.79 sez GPS). Nice group, not too large, and the start was fairly easy (Bill started fast, then moved to the head and eventually won the whole thing!) -- I could see the leaders and I felt I was being a bit restrained. By mile two was ahead of Billy R, but he didn't let go. As we finished mile 3, I could just sense the numbleg approaching, so when he came up on me I didn't push back very hard. As we approached the reentry point to the park I was totally numb, and had to stop, pretty much falling over as I did. Massaged it a bit, then started off again, just muscling my way ahead by balancing with other parts and the other leg. Managed to keep a 7:20 ish pace for two miles, then with one to go I pushed a bit and got a sub-7 for the last mile; ended up thus:

Time: 42:21 (42:19 GPS)
Distance: 6.2 miles (6.34 GPS)
Pace: 6:50

Then after the run Bill and I took off for my standyby cooldown run, adding another 2.8 miles or so (2.67 sez GPS), me full of frustration but at least with sensation in the leg again.

Comment: So I got my weekly mileage up this week, but the cost to my back/ongoing training is yet to be figured out. Must concentrate on miles not races from now, until I'm more comfortable again and up at 50 or so miles per week
The reason I can't give full details is that I then managed to leave behind my GPS, hat and gloves -- arg!! (ETA -- now retrieved and added)

(Fortunately a club member picked them up and will bring them to the next run... but I was worried for a couple of days, and even drove back to the park in the afternoon, but couldn't access the building. . .)

Boston -116 -- Thu. Dec. 24

Spent all morning cleaning house, and ended up with a sore back. Nicely mild day, just above freezing, and eventually a bit sunny. Headed out about noon, aiming for 8-10, a reverse Enfield like Sunday. Started on GeoHannum, then Jackson, then Howard, then under 202 and through to the trail out to HS drive, then back up OldSpfld and across to Jabish; pushed on the trail bit, so relax on the downhill, then start up Enfield: aiming for a negative split, so keep it to 7:40 ish. Then start trying to keep pace up a bit, heading down to water's edge, round the trail and back up--hard work, but mainly enjoying it. Keep pace solid (7:15 ish) to about top of Allen hill, then with two to go aim for sub-7:00's. Down to 202, along to VFW, sprint across 9 and push to almost the development:

Time: 1:13:23
Distance: 10.03 miles
Pace: 7:19s

Comment: solid negative split, FTW. Last two miles 6:33 and 6:29. Sore enough afterwards, but (I hope) good training!

Boston -118 -- Tue. Dec. 22

Cold and windy, and me still feeling sneezy coldy, but by about 10 a.m. I felt up to an outing -- main problem was pain in shoulder from torn muscle? that got suddenly worse yesterday and kept waking me up in the night. Took ibuprofen and F rubbed in some linament, and I headed off for an eight. Wore shorts, but three layers on top and hat and gloves. Wasn't too bad, as the sun was warm and the wind not as cold as Sunday. Down GeoHannum and on to Boardman, stopping to stretch at about 2 miles (asked by concerned driver if I'm okay--must look feak and weeble?), then all the way to 202 and left up to Eskett, then down and round to Rural, picking up pace just a little at about 4.5 mile mark. At GeoHannum go left to Stebbins, then turn round and head homewards, deviating for more mileage by taking Jackson up to the rail trail, stopping clock at 8 miles, thus:

Time: 58:03
Distance: 8.03 miles
Pace: 7:14s

Comment: after that took rail trail along back to GeoHannum and back home directly, getting a gentle mile top-up, or more accurately: 1.13 @ 8:15s. Goal was tempo: two of the later miles of the main run were sub-7, and one other was 7:00; quite satisfying, as the pace felt mainly easy. I was gentle with this one as I didn't want to be sleepy in the p.m., but for tempo I think I need to redefine to sub-6:45 now...

Boston -120 -- Sun. Dec. 20

Snowed in the night, then turned to wind. Really not very nice, but headed off (clearing the powdery snow, maybe 1-2 inches, off the car as we'd used the van for 8 o'clock) and skidded into DnD at 10. Only Andy and Bill there, and we chatted a bit; Andy called Amy, but she was going to arrive much later, so we headed off for a ten mile reverse Enfield. Andy had Santa hats, so I took one but Bill didn't want to. I carried other hat just in case I needed it. . . Round through the school it was fiendishly cold, especially as I was in shorts, but once we got out to OldSpfld it was better; up over town center and down Jabish, now properly warmed up (but making nicely gentle progress--pace of 8:00 or so), Andy ragging on Bill about the hats (which were surprisingly warm). Then up Enfield feeling pretty good, working hard to overcome the snow slippy ground; pulled Bill a bit near the end, then as we turned into Allen he went ahead and Andy slipped back a bit, so Bill got the Brandywine. Andy mentioned he was having achilles trouble. Then we slogged up Brandywine, pretty tough, and at last down into Sheffield, where I drifted ahead again; got a tailwind as we turned uphill once more to return to Allen, and I figured I'd keep pushing a bit; Bill took up the challenge and caught up, but then I stuck with him to the top; definitely feeling good. Then down Allen, cross 202 (Bill slipped; he did 21 miles yesterday and is feeling dodgy) and to Hamilton, where Bill started to move ahead; Amy appeared and ran with Andy so I tried to stick with Bill, which made for a tough last two miles. Got back at exact mileage, amazingly:

Time: 1:19:11
Distance: 10 miles
Pace: 7:55s

Comment: Definitely back into training now; hope I can keep it up, aiming for 30-35 this week. Keeping this cold at bay will be the challenge...

Boston -121 -- Sat. Dec. 19

My first snowstorm (and the day before the first real snowstorm of the year, it seems), at the new earlier time: I was really in two minds about it, but finally got up at about 7:15 and was ready to go just after 8. Arrived to pay the $3 park fee (fortunately not increased) then took my usual spot and jogged down to the Boathouse. Paid my $4 (only $3 next week, once I get my GSH membership) and changed to go and warm up. Wore longs, hat, gloves, t-shirt, fleece, and marathon jacket: still cold! Did a mile to start, then stretched in the warmth of the outhouse, and did another mile round the big field back to the Boathouse. *Tons* of people there, and only five minutes to wait. Stretched a bit, then down to shorts and out! Brr. Nice crowd (Billy R had greeted me with "It's half marathon man!") and I took a place near the front.
Off and up the hill -- behind the main front pack, and feeling numb in both legs (cold, mainly). But settled in okay, and the first mile was quite gentle; had good targets ahead, and worked on them. Then in mile two picked off a couple, all the while watching but not gaining on a fast female runner closing on Billy, and started to move up on main target (Marine man). Caught him at end of mile 2, just after the main road, then tried not to lose any more time compared to fast female (who turned out to be a local ex-college runner). Pushed down the hill, getting a 5:40 for mile 3, but faded a bit towards the very end (which is uphill just where it hurts). Here's the data:

Time: 19:26 (GPS 19:25)
Distance: 3.1 miles (GPS 3.22)
Pace: 6:16s (6:02s)

Comment: with a gentle 2.19 miles before, I then added 4.17 miles after at a good pace (7:23s), though it felt easy enough. So, a PB on this course, I'm pretty sure (and managed to come in 9th of 112), and a week that topped 20 miles. Good stuff. Now to get back to real distance building!

Boston -123 -- Thu. Dec. 17

Totally frigid today: dry, windy, bright sun, but temperature was in the low teens, but the wind chill factor took it close to zero. So, well wrapped, with longs and a windcheater (hood up over hat), I took to the woods to keep out of the wind. Also the trails were tricky and hard going, which kept me warmer--if slow. Entered trails by development, followed right at tree and along the top, then down the hill and back along the rail trail, up slope and down to the Yamaha tunnel, under the tracks and back towards the sledding hill; then briefly on to the road to get as far as the woods trail leading to Wallace pond. Up that hill, *hard* slog, then along and round the pond, along to the police station then back through the state school; cross to rail trail and along all the way to GeoHannum and finally stop at the exit, by the baseball field.

Time: 47:31
Distance: 5.72 miles
Pace: 8:18s

Comment: well, ice-bearded and pretty tired out by the time I got back, but this was a good workout. No pace sections, but lots of little hill bits. Hopefull this will lead to at least 20+ miles this week.

Boston -125 -- Tue. Dec. 15

Feeling enough back from the cold's first wave to go out and take a gentle outing on the roads. Do a basic reverse Rural: to GeoHannum, all the way along to Rural, left round to Boardman, then back up all the way stopping the clock at the development:

Time: 40:33
Distance: 5.41 miles
Pace: 7:30s

Comment: Took it very gently at first, and by three miles I was feeling warmed up enough to stride out a bit. Felt fine overall, though very sleepy later. It was pleasantly not too chilly (wore shorts), though I kept my hat on the hole way.

Boston Prep -- late, but here we go

It's been a while since I posted, for a couple of reasons. A busy week last week, the final one of the semester, and on Friday I got hit by a cold. This week has been busy too, but I've got two runs to report (phew!).

So, first weekend without running for ages--and Sunday was supposed to have been the first day of my Boston prep. Not the best start for that, but I can hope it gets better. My mileage is down so low I'll be starting from a clean slate, about 20+ miles, and aiming for a peak of 75. I haven't worked out the details yet, but it'll be a slightly modified version of the first marathon prep plan I used. The two main challenges will be sub-20 F weather (bound to be some of it) and then fitting in training during the 9~10 weeks of semester before the race. I'm teaching four classes (despite initial plans of only doing two), so I'll have to be very determined. But I'm optimistic at this point.

And I need new shoes, I realise. Xmas, good timing.

Yosh!

SRRC outing -- Sun. Dec. 6

Up for lectoring, then chores, and end up leaving a bit late, hurrying off to arrive at DnD just after 10. Nice crew already there: Andy, Amy, Bill, Nick, Steve L., and the recent additions Rob L & Tim. Bill's aiming for 14 via Harris Mountain, but I'm only up for 8-10; fortunately Amy and Steve L want similar. All start together, along Howard to Jackson, then to Hamilton, with Steve and Andy setting a stiff pace, but I hang back w/ Amy and Nick (also chat w/ Rob L briefly). Head left on Bay down the hill and along to Metacomet; there most turn off, but Amy, Steve and I go on, so (now warmed up) I'm running with Steve, a bit faster. Go up to Stebbins, then along to GeoHannum and wait a bit stretching; Amy catches up, then we head on again. Pick up pace a bit and eventually, heading back to DnD directly, pushing all the little hills, run 2+ miles at sub-7:00. End up thus:

Time: 1:08:14
Distance: 9.42 miles
Pace: 7:14s

Comment: Satisfying, now I've learnt my lesson about Steve (don't run with him until thoroughly warmed up!). It was very cold--though in shorts I had fleece *and* marathon jacket on top--but the sun was glorious on the sticky snow all around. Nice first real winter run.

Hot Chocolate 5K -- Sat. Dec. 5

Thought this was a 9 a.m. start (forgot to grab the brochure before leaving the office Friday night), so up early, shower and tea to wake up a bit, then off on a chilly morning with various gear combos to drive to NoHo; stop to grab coffee on the way, to stay warm. Arrive in NoHo just after 8, find a good parking spot and pay for 2 hours. Head to find registration; get my number and chip, then jog back to car and change to warm up. Head out for a mile, mainly on the newly extended rail trail; stretch achilles, etc., then run another mile, heading back to car. Get chip sorted, and then it's time for the start: jog down in just t-short and shorts (w. hat and gloves), helping another runner find registration (a bit late, I thought. . .), then to the start. . . but there's hardly anyone else ready. So I ask, and discover: start is at 10.!!

Jog back to car, quickly putting more clothes on to stay warm, but realise I'll have to move the car (it's a 2-hour meter). And I'll want another loo visit if there's an hour to kill; so, to Dunkin's for a recharge of my coffee, etc. Then park in a closer spot, and head out to do an extra warmup--meander around town for more than a mile, then back to car again. Finally, off to the start again, finding *lots* of people there this time. Do final stretches and find a line-up spot, then at 9:58, announcer says "About 15 minutes to go. . ." Arrggh!

Line for portaloos is too long, but no other option: bah. Realise also I've forgotten my gloves (ouf!), but try to stay warm, and say hello to Joe F and one or two others. See Sanjay A and line up behind him -- he's aiming for 19 something, so I'll see if I can stick with him for a bit.

Start is uphill, then mainly flat. New course is rolling, with little slight slopes periodically; suits me fine, and I'm feeling fine, not very hard pressed. First mile I'm aiming for 6:30, and digivice says I'm spot on (though course marks mile a bit earlier, says I'm doing 6:10). Start picking off a few people in mile two, but close to the end of the mile, lose track of Sanjay; too bad. Push a little bit more on the last mile, and then at the final stretch a guy I've just passed comes bombing by, so I latch on and push toward the end, right through the line, with the clock saying 19:01. My digivice has 19:04, but I stopped it after I'd stopped running. The official results:

Time: 19:01 (new PB -- results here)
Distance: 3.1 miles
Pace: 6:09s

Comment: *very* happy with the time, even if the chip timing mats probably added a few seconds. Felt fine afterwards (though sore next day, naturally). Andy D (German) and then Todd C (ISOM) crossed the line a bit after, so greeted them both, then got my hot chocolate w/ lots of marshmallows--AWESOMEly delicious, and had my beaming face photographed. Definitely a bit more where that pace came from, so I'll see if I can get sub-19 in the next year or so. Snowstorms, maybe--but that course is harder, so maybe not.

Enfield in the dark -- Thu. Dec. 3

Home early thanks to car trouble; after chauffeuring R to 柔術 head out on a mild evening with some moon/cloud to light the way. Aiming for 4-5 miles, but feel good enough to open up a bit and stretch it. Start on an extended 5K route, to 9, then right to 202, and left up towards Allen, but then decide to go right instead of left, aiming for the Quabbin. Up Allen, warming up a bit and pushing the hills, and then left and go all the way to the water's edge, then turn round and head back all along Enfield to 9, then right and straight back towards home, stopping the clock just past the supermarket:

Time: 53:31
Distance: 7.11 miles
Pace: 7:34s

Comment: didn't push too hard, either on distance or pace, but all in all this felt pretty good. This will be my warm-up for the Hot Chocolate 5K. . .