A pair of 6's before the 1/2 !

I got out on Tuesday & Thursday, and ran 6 miles on both days. I have the LongBranch1/2 on Sunday. I was looking forward to getting a run in on Tuesday, after how tough the Sunday run was with the heat. I ran around 7:00pm, and it was still really warm for this time of the year here, in NJ. It was in the low 70's, with not much of a breeze, when I ran.
I picked a new course, some different roads I don't normally run on, just to mix things up a bit.
I also enjoyed running that late at nite. I haven't run that late since last summer, and it felt good.

6miles 49:27

1. 8:25
2. 8:08
3. 8:24
4. 8:18
5. 8:18
6. 7:47

Thursday, the weather had changed dramatically, going from highs in the 90's, on Tuesday, to temps in the high 50's, with a steady wind. It was a decent run, but the good ole Garmin lied on the 1st mile again. When I looked at my watch, it was at least about 3/10 of a mile off. I had an idea where the 1st mile should be, and as I passed it, I waited for the beep, and it never came. I took it easy, since I do have the 1/2 marathon on Sunday. I am looking forward to going to the expo Friday, to get my packet, and see what deals they have.

6.21 miles 56:38 (should be approx 6.5 miles)

1. 10:41
2. 8:59
3. 8:58
4. 8:48
5. 8:45
6. 8:35
7. 1:49

What Happened to Spring??

I know for the past few weeks, myself and others here in the NJ, PA area have bitched about the cold, the wind, when will it warm up, etc.. well SUMMER arrived this weekend! Highs Saturday topped off around 90deg, and it was the same Sunday.
I planned to run 14 miles, my last long run before the 1/2 marathon, part of the NJ Marathon next Sunday. I had the smarts to go out the nite before, and hide a frozen water bottle, at what would be around mile 9-10. While I knew it was going to be warm in the morning, when I checked the weather, it called for highs around 64deg. when I planned to run.
Well, when I got out to run around 7:00am, it was already in the low 70's. I should have grabbed a water to start with, but I figured I would be OK, since I had a bottle out on the route.
I wanted to make this a nice comfortable slow run, logging in the miles. I did log the miles, but it was more of a struggle than comfortable. The heat really took it's toll, since I haven't run in this heat in probably 6 months or more.
I was pumped to get to my water stop, and get my water, around mile 9. I ran through Mercer County Park, and there was a March of Dimes walk getting started. The park was full of activity, bikers, walkers, runners, crews out practicing on the lake, soccer games. It is one busy park!
Anyway, I was glad when this run was over. I felt like crap when it was done, but was glad I pushed thru the pain, and finished. Sure was a blow to the confidence I was building heading into the 1/2.
14 miles (2:08:11) 9:09 avg.

1. 8:48
2. 8:40
3. 8:48
4. 8:52
5. 9:03
6. 9:13
7. 9:06
8. 9:02
9. 9:02
10. 9:33
11. 9:25
12. 9:30
13. 9:32

9:30

Sunday... Runday.... Funday !!

It's been busy around here, but fun.

I got out and ran on Thursday after work. I ran at Veteran's Park, and did 6 miles in a little over 50mins. Legs were a bit tired after Wednesday's 8 miler.

The weather for Saturday, was highs in the mid 70's, so I was looking forward to a warm trail run with the group. It wasn't as warm as I had hoped, around the high 40's at 7:00am, but still nice. We came across a college/high school regatta, at Mercer County Park, and since we had enough runners to have our own crew, I felt the need to "call out" the other schools as they prepared. We ran 6.4 miles in 1:01:20, and it felt really good to be back out on the trails with the group.

On Sunday, we were taking my oldest to the Phillies game, it's Phanatic's Birthday, so I got up early to do my long run. I was out of the house around 6:30am, and it was in the mid 50's. Really nice running weather, and get this, there was hardly a breeze! What a difference from last Sunday. I was trying to make this a nice LSD run, and did accomplish it for the most part.

When I got to Mercer County Park, the Regatta was about half the size it was on Saturday morning. I guess it was just the finalists.

I was a group of one, so I left the competitors alone this morning. I figured, if I messed with them, they might just come after me with these...

It was a good run, and I felt wipe out after finishing the 15 miles. I did find the energy to make the last mile my best. I hope that pays off at the 1/2 on May 3rd.

The day ended great.. a bottom of the 9th game winning homer by Ibanez, and the FLYERS are back in the series with a nice 6-3 win!

Oh... and here's a couple of nice pics from the Phils game today.. enjoy!

That is a birthday cake made entirely out of Taskycakes!

The Great Harry Kalas memorial on the left/centerfield wall.

15 miles 2:11:05 (8:44 avg.)

1. 8:45
2. 8:57
3. 8:52
4. 8:55
5. 8:57
6. 8:47
7. 8:46
8. 8:38
9. 8:40
10. 8:35
11. 8:40
12. 8:46
13. 8:30
14. 8:44
15. 8:23

Running after the rain

Well, 2 days of rain finally ended around 4:00pm today. I waited the rain out, and got out and ran around 4:30pm. It was cool, low 40's, overcast and damp. Best thing about the weather... no WIND!
I planned to run 8 miles, an out and back to Mercer County Park. As I was approaching a point where I know I should be around the 1 mile mark, the garmin had me at .53 miles. I guess maybe the weather effected it. When it did finally click off Mile 1, it was at 12:44. It worked fine the rest of the run.
For as bad a run as I had on Easter Sunday, this was just the opposite. The legs felt good, maybe the extra day of rest helped. It was nice to run without the wind. It seemed like forever that the wind has been blowing. There wasn't much going on at the park, the only people out, where the high school crew, practicing on the lake.
I pushed it the last mile , to keep with my plans to try and finish my runs with my fastest mile. The Garmin had me at 1:10:25, for 8.15miles, but you can add a 1/2 mile onto that. When I downloaded my run, I could see where it started, and where I actually did start.
The next few days has the sun coming out, and temps topping off around the mid 70's on Saturday! Sounds like maybe Spring has finally been sprung.

1. 12.44 ( more like 1.5miles)
2. 8:12
3. 8:19
4. 8:07
5. 7:59
6. 8:11
7. 8:04
8. 7:42

.15 1:02

10 miles on a blustry Easter Sunday.

Well, this wasn't exactly the greatest running weather this past weekend.
Saturday, I got up before 6:00am, to meet Bill Y at Clayton Park, to hit the trails. I was hoping to get the run in before the rain came, but that was not to be. As soon as I got to the park, the skies opened, and we got dumped on. When Bill arrived, we made the executive decision to go to breakfast instead of getting soaked.
Onto Easter Sunday!
Well, when you have two young children, who are at that age who just love Santa & the Easter Bunny, you had to figure they wouldn't be sleeping in. They were up just after 6:00am!
SO after an early morning of Easter candy, and other assorted gifts, I finally pushed myself out to run around 11:00am. The wind was brutal, gusting out of the NW at 25+mph. And being April, it could be 70 or 40, and of course it was 40deg! I decided to stay away from Mercer County Park, and the winds off the lake, and stay on the roads. I don't think it mattered much.
I wasn't feeling all that great during the run. I wanted to get in around 14, but when I hit the 9 mile mark, and I knew I could end the run at 10, around my home, I did just that.
It was a struggle to get 10 in, but I am glad I did. I want to up the long run mileage, with the 1/2 marathon only a few weeks away, on May 3rd.
I plan this week is to do the 6-8-6, Tuesday - Thursday. Hopefully the weather will cooperate. I am about sick of the wind! It just drains you both mentally & physically.
10 miles 1:29:16

1. 8:38
2. 8:25
3. 8:42
4. 8:50
5. 9:00
6. 8:55
7. 9:05
8. 9:08
9. 9:23
10. 9:09

6 Miles after a busy Day

Man it was a busy day, but I managed to find the time to get out and run 6 miles.
It was in the high 40's and breezy here, typical April in NJ. One day summer like, next winter like.
I can break this run down into 1/3rd's.
The first 1/3rd was just trying to find a rhythm. I didn't feel like running, and it was hard to get started. One I got past the mental & psychical part, I started to enjoy myself.
I picked up the pace in the 2nd 1/3rd. I did get the fun of running into the wind. Oh is that getting old! I can't wait to get in some runs in later in the day, in nice calm weather.
The last 1/3rd, I did my best to pick up the pace, and finish strong. When I started my run, I figured this would be one of the runs you just struggle to get through. I was off on that thought.
The last mile, I went for it, and ended the run with a 7:24 mile. I wanted to finish under 8:00, and accomplished that.
I did forget to mention that I went over 100 miles for the 2nd straight month. I finished March at 101.29, and counting today's run I'm at 314.36.

6 Miles 49:24 (8:13avg.)

1. 8:31
2. 8:30
3. 8:19
4. 8:26
5. 8:11
6. 7:24

A busy weekend....

Man what a busy weekend!
Beside just finding time to get my weekend runs in, it was Opening Day for my son's baseball season, oh and the WORLD F'n CHAMPS opening nite, on Sunday.
Let's start on Saturday. I got up early and met up with the HamiltonTrail group. There were only 4 of us to hit the trails in Clayton. I needed to be home early to shower and get my son to his Opening Day ceremonies. It was very windy, gusts 25-30mph, but the temps were in the 50's, so it wasn't cold. We did some nice hills, and it was nice to get back to the trails. I had missed the last 2 weeks, and I was glad to be back. 6.17 miles (58:10).
FYI.... We made it to Opening Day without a problem, but it was disappointing that his game for later in the day was cancelled because of all the rain we got on Friday.
Last week, I signed up for 2 races!
1. LongBranch 1/2 Marathon
This is part of the NJ Marathon on May 3rd. I picked this over the Broad Street Run, since I know a bunch of bloggers running the full. I have the best of both worlds, running the 1/2. I get to run a 1/2 at the shore, and help cheer on the marathoners. I know how I will feel stopping at the 1/2. I will probably be wishing I was doing the full, but common sense dictates I am not in "marathon" shape.
2. AsburyParkRelayMarathon How can you pass up a $35.00 marathon? I plan on running the Philly again, so I started looking at my training plan, and decided to enter this, and use it as a training run. I have a 22-23 miler scheduled for that Sunday, Oct. 18th, and my blogger bud Progman talked me into it.

So, with the Long Branch 1/2 only a month away, time to get into a routine. I headed out Sunday morning on a 14 mile training run. The winds had died down, but where still kicking a bit out of the west at about 15-20 mph. For the most part, it was a cross wind, for the 1st 8 miles of the run. It was enjoyable until I hit Mercer County Park, and the lake. Man, running into the wind can wipe you out. The legs took a beating the last 6 miles. I checked the Garmin around 13.2, and was roughly 1:53. My goal for the 1/2 will be somewhere around 1:50:00, or a 8:24 min/mile avg.
Anyway, I fought through the winds, and finished the 14 miles in 2:00:37. My goal is to always finish my last mile as my best, but the winds didn't let that happen.
The rest of the day, to complete the busy weekend, was my son's 1st baseball game of the season, home, shower and off to see the World Champs home opener. As has been the case for the better part of the last 10 home openers I have been to, dating back to the days of Veteran's Stadium, they lost!
14 miles 2:00:37 (8:36 avg.)

1. 8:27
2. 8:15
3. 8:23
4. 8:25
5. 8:31
6. 8:29
7. 8:39
8. 8:33
9. 8:31
10. 8:51
11. 8:56
12. 9:08
13. 8:36
14. 8:44