10 miles, hard
30 degrees, dark
We had one of our larger track workouts tonight with at least 16 guys participating. Jerry had us run 6x1200s, but I struggled with the pace. Dickson, Matias, and I began running at 78 sec/lap for the first two intervals, then 76 sec/lap on the next two, and had a goal of 74 sec/lap on the last two. By the end of the first four intervals I was convinced that I wouldn't be able to go any faster, so I only ran the first 800m of their 1200s. I did the last interval in spikes. It wasn't a great workout, but it was still a solid workout for where I am right now, and it was the kind of thing I need to get my speed back. It's gonna hurt.
Splits:
3:55; 3:52; 3:45; 3:50; 2:31; 2:24
1.07.2011
Tuesday, January 4th
9 miles, easy-moderate
30 degrees, sunny
I met with Ben and Mike for the usual run through RCP, but via the Zoo. We started at 7 so there was actually sunlight when we ran.
30 degrees, sunny
I met with Ben and Mike for the usual run through RCP, but via the Zoo. We started at 7 so there was actually sunlight when we ran.
Monday, January 3rd
8 miles, easy
30 degrees, dark
I met with Ben for an easy run through Georgetown, the Mall, and up 14th before work.
30 degrees, dark
I met with Ben for an easy run through Georgetown, the Mall, and up 14th before work.
Sunday, January 2nd
0 miles
That was an inauspicious start to 2011... I didn't wake up in time for the group run thanks to the iPhone's Y2K11 alarm glitch, then I wussed out of running completely.
That was an inauspicious start to 2011... I didn't wake up in time for the group run thanks to the iPhone's Y2K11 alarm glitch, then I wussed out of running completely.
Saturday, January 1st
4 miles, easy
45 degrees, cloudy
I ran around the deserted streets of downtown DC midmorning before the PSU-Florida Outback Bowl game. My legs didn't feel that great, and running on concrete didn't help. I ran a new loop... down 14th, New Hampshire, 16th to the White House, up Connecticut, up 17th, New Hampshire, and 14th.
45 degrees, cloudy
I ran around the deserted streets of downtown DC midmorning before the PSU-Florida Outback Bowl game. My legs didn't feel that great, and running on concrete didn't help. I ran a new loop... down 14th, New Hampshire, 16th to the White House, up Connecticut, up 17th, New Hampshire, and 14th.
1.02.2011
Friday, December 31st
9 miles, easy
45 degrees, cloudy
Ran with Klim, Ernst, Chuck, Dickson, Max, and Wiggy from The Line on the last run of the year.
45 degrees, cloudy
Ran with Klim, Ernst, Chuck, Dickson, Max, and Wiggy from The Line on the last run of the year.
Wednesday, December 29th
11 miles, hard
45 degrees, dark
Ran the track workout with the team at BCC. I wasn't sure how I'd feel going into the workout since my legs were so tired yesterday, but I was pleasantly surprised how strong I ran. We started the 5xmile with a large group at 5:21, and cut it down to 5:17 on the next two intervals. I held onto the pace set my Dickson and Sam over the last two mile repeats, finishing in 5:05 and 4:59. It was a great way to end the year.
45 degrees, dark
Ran the track workout with the team at BCC. I wasn't sure how I'd feel going into the workout since my legs were so tired yesterday, but I was pleasantly surprised how strong I ran. We started the 5xmile with a large group at 5:21, and cut it down to 5:17 on the next two intervals. I held onto the pace set my Dickson and Sam over the last two mile repeats, finishing in 5:05 and 4:59. It was a great way to end the year.
Tuesday, December 28th
9 miles, easy
35 degrees, sunny
Ran the RCP-AG-Towpath-RCP loop on my own in the morning. Legs felt very tired.
35 degrees, sunny
Ran the RCP-AG-Towpath-RCP loop on my own in the morning. Legs felt very tired.
Monday, December 27th
8 miles, easy
30 degrees, sunny and windy
I ran on my own through RCP, starting at Pierce Mill to avoid the wind.
Sunday, December 26th
13.5 miles, moderate
30 degrees, cloudy and flurries
I drove back to DC early to beat the blizzard, only to arrive in DC to absolutely no snow. I took advantage to the remaining daylight and went on a long solo run through RCP along the Western Ridge to The Line, and back.
Saturday, December 25th – Christmas
7 miles, easy
25 degrees, cloudy
I snuck out of the house after Christmas morning with the niece and nephews, and before dinner to join my buddy Patrick Matolka on our annual Christmas run.
Friday, December 24th
0 miles.
Went skiing with Meg instead of going for a run... great quad workout.
Went skiing with Meg instead of going for a run... great quad workout.
Thursday, December 23rd
10 miles, easy
25 degrees, cloudy
Ran with Dickson around The Mall and Hains Point before hitting the road to go home for Christmas.
Wednesday, December 22nd
10 miles, hard
30 degrees, dark
Met with a small group for a track workout at BCC. Jim Daly and I made up the B group, and ran 8x800 in 2:41; 2:40; 2:37; 2:36; 2:32; 2:33; 2:26; 2:24, and felt pretty good about it. It was especially nice to have Coach Jerry clear lane 1 of snow and ice for us.
Monday, December 20th
4.5 miles, easy
30 degrees, windy
I met with Carl Fudge on a break from work to run along the Mt. Vernon Trail.
Sunday, December 19th
10 miles, easy
30 degrees, sunny
I met with Jarrin, Bain, and company for a run at The Line the morning after 1MT4, and another Penn State Volleyball National Championship.
Saturday, December 18th – Chemistree Run
5 miles, moderate
30 degrees, sunny
Ran the Chemistree Run in McLean, a nice community race in honor of a local high school science teacher. There was no competition at this race, so I ran a tempo 5K in about 18 minutes flat. Won tickets to a Wizards game, a pair of shoes, and a gift certificate for a Road ID.
Thursday, December 16th
10 miles, easy
30 degrees, cloudy
Ran easy with Dickson before work, my first run since returning from Charlotte. Oddly, my calves felt sore today for the first time since the race.
Sunday, December 12th
7 miles, easy
45 degrees, rainy
Ran a slightly hungover 7 miles with the guys in Charlotte before heading back to DC.
Saturday , December 11th – USATF Club XC Nationals
12 miles, hard
45 degrees, partly sunny
Finally it was time for USATFs. We brought a larger team to this year’s race in Charlotte, and arguably our best team for any race ever. Arriving after dark Friday night prevented us from scouting the course, so we were relieved to se that the course was “pancake flat” when we arrived. Also, it was primarily made up of packed gravel like the canal towpath, which presented some choices on race footwear.
After a team warmup and cheer, 13 of us toed the line against over 400 of the country’s top runners. I was somewhat relieved that I wasn’t being relied upon this year to score for the team, so I could run my own race. At the start, I settled in at just faster than my goal race pace. The first lap saw me trying to find my place in the pack and settle into race pace. I hit 5:17 for the first mile, but slowed to 5:32 for the second mile. I tried to surge to a faster pace, but found myself averaging 5:35-5:45 for the next few miles. I aimed to keep up with a pack just in front of me, and battled the guys around me, but still couldn’t find a way to speed up. Finally, with about a mile to go, I was able to steadily pick off other runners and put together a kick I didn’t think was in me.
I crossed the line in 34:28, somewhat disappointed and much more exhausted than I had anticipated. I had hoped to run nearly a minute faster, but acknowledged that I couldn’t have run much faster that day. The better news was that the team finished 14th overall, an improvement of five places over last year, while competing against even more teams. In fact, our team finished among the top “working runner” teams in the race, beating Manhattan Track Club, Central Park Track Club, Atlanta Track Club, New Balance Boston, Greater Boston Track Club, and Bull City Track Club. We were also excited to have Coach Jerry attend the race with us, and we’re looking forward to continuing our improvement in 2011.
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