6 Miles on the local trails

I went out to try the local 7 mile loop that I've had so much trouble with lately (only going 4 or 5 miles).  This time I went in the opposite direction so the first 5 miles were mostly downhill.  This resulted in my getting a BIG blister on my right foot/big toe.  After 6 miles it was hurting and also I was starting to get tired, so I walked the last mile home.

4 Miles of High Intensity Interval Training at the Community Center

I did some High Intensity Interval Training today (trying to shed holiday pounds). One mile warm-up at 6mph followed by 60 second intervals of 9mph with 60 seconds recovery at 5 mph.

The last three intervals (I did 8) I had to take two minutes recovery between the intervals.

I followed with a half mile cool down walk at 4 mph.

4 +1 Miles on local trails

I went out to run the 7 mile local loop, but pooped out after only 4 miles.  I'm not sure if it's the cold air, the holiday weight I've gained or my new running style.  I just don't have the endurance I used to have.

I ran another mile after the first 4 miles after taking a walking break of about one mile.

6.3 Miles on the Treadmill

I ran 6 miles on the community center treadmill in two 30 minute routines (due to the 30 minute limit imposed by the gym).  The first I ran 3.3 miles in 30 minutes.  The second I ran 3 miles in 28 minutes.

5 Miles on the W&OD

I set out to run 8 miles this morning. I figured I'd eaten enough carbs yesterday between the two Christmas parties to run a marathon, so 8 miles would be a breeze. But not so.

After 5 miles my left knee was making a complaint and I decided to listen to it. I stopped by a 7-11 and the nice clerk let me use his cell phone to call Handan to come pick me up.

5 + 1 Miles in Folly Lick and Runnymead Park Trails

After work today I headed out to run the 7 mile loop from Folly Lick to Runnymead to the W&OD Trails.  But after only 4 miles I knew I wouldn't do the entire loop.  I had to stop and catch my breath twice in mile 5.  I really started out too fast, but I was also tired from a day's work and last night's entertaining.  Lots of good food in my belly doesn't necessarily make for a good afternoon run!

After 5 miles I was still nearly 1.5 miles from home.  I walked a little while and then ran an extra mile (jogged really) and then walked home.

The lesson here... I think I need to do my runs before lunch (around noon) before I get too tired from work and too full from lunchtime.

The first 5 miles

 

 

The last mile, by quarter-mile increments

7 Miles - Hains Point and the Mall

Another great day for running in December.  It was a bit humid and that made it feel cooler than it actually was, but there was no wind again and that was nice (especially at the point of Hains Point).  A little more sun would have been nice.

I rand 7 miles and really felt pretty comfortable with my new gait.  I realize that I need to focus on having a mid-foot strike.  I was landing too much on my toes and that puts too much strain on my calves.  Mid-foot seems to work well and I had no problems today with the distance.

Mynor joined me for the run again today and we'll try and do it again on Friday, maybe for an 8 mile run.

5 Miles at Hains Point

It was a crisp and cool day.  The temperature was in the low 40s.  But there was no wind and no clouds to speak of.  And I had the company of fellow MCM First Timer Mynor Gonzalez to make the miles go by quicker.  All in all it was a very enjoyable run, even though my legs were still a bit tired from Saturday's 7 mile run.  I'm enjoying my new running style but it will take me a while to build myself back up to double digit distances.

7 Miles on the W&OD Trail

It was a cold day with gusty winds.  The temperature was about 40(ish) and the winds were from the southwest at 10-15 mph with gusts up to 20.  Still, it was a sunny day and very crisp.  I headed out with high ambitions to run 8 or maybe even 10 miles.  I've been doing good with my new forefoot striking running and I wanted to see how far I could go.

The answer was seven miles.

I just ran out of gas... pure and simple.  This new style puts more of the running burden on the calves and I think that's part of it.  But also I seem to want to run faster with this new gait.  I was averaging around 9:10 - 9:15 where I should have been running around 9:20 - 9:30 for a long slow run. 

But I really don't mind too much.  I set a distance record for my new running style, and I suffered no ill effects as a result.  I'll gradually increase my distance over time, just as I did with my initial marathon training. 

I have no specific goal (no upcoming race) and that's a bit of a blessing but also a problem.  I don't want to push myself too much but I don't want to slack off either.  I think I enjoy training with a goal more than just training for the fun (and health) of it.  I may have to do something about that.

Runs in Istanbul, Turkey

Last week Handan and I went to Istanbul to visit with her friends and family.  While we were there I was able to get in a few runs along the coast of the Sea of Marmara on the Asian side of Istanbul.  The neighborhood of Caddebostan is where Handan's mother and aunts live and there's a nice 3 mile section of park built on landfill along the water.  It has bike and walking/running paths marked out, but mostly the locals use it for walking and feeding the stray cats and dogs that live there.

Four of my runs were solo and one was with Handan.  It should be obvious from the charts which was which.