Night time running

Got in a quick six after work and before bed. Was witness to a large slow moving 'falling star'. Like a tear drop rolling down a babies face. The cool crisp starlit runs on the back roads bring back memories from the very beginning of my venture into running. Back in 1993 about this time of year, the only time I could run was either early morning or late evening. I not only learned how to run but also how to navigate in the dark. When it's just you and the dark road ahead you truly find how badly you want to run. The strange sounds and glimpses of things imagined in the surrounding hay fields keep the pace up-tempo for sure. With winter closing in and basketball season upon us, I will most certainly be hitting the dark road a bit more frequently in the weeks to come.

13/35

Another solid week of running.
Entered a 10k next saturday.
13 mile steady and strong today.
Red Fox carcass on highway.
A man stopped to throw carcass into ditch so vultures could safely do their thing.
I had a short conversation with him (the man not the fox). He seemed genuinely saddened about the fox but he described flocks of vultures that live nearby.He routinely observes them and values the role they play in nature. Hated to see the dead fox but at least the vultures will gain from it's misfortune.

Hills

Ran a 10 miler on my favorite hill course this morning.
Definitely getting in better shape. Several weeks ago I would not have been able to maintain the intensity that I ran with today.
Frank Shorter is credited with the quote,"hills are speed work in disguise" (paraphrased).
So I took a big bite of ' Shorter Pie' and feel good that I'm coming around.
Plan on 6-7 on Friday then 12-14 on Sunday.

14/26

I hadn't run since Wednesday due to basketball games and camp-out so I decided to extend my Sunday run. 14 miles in fairly warm and windy conditions made me think of spring.
Struggled early and late but the middle miles were comfortable and smooth. Too much beer and not enough sleep at the camp-out probably dragged me down a bit. All in all I'm pleased with the grind it out mentality I maintained in the struggle.
This week I've got more opportunities to run so I intend to get around 40 miles in.

14/35

14 for the day, 35 for the week.
Another good week of running. With the nasty weather that came in on Friday I changed my week-end plans from racing to training.Ran the hills on Saturday in cold breezy conditions then had a solid 14 miler this morning in ideal conditions (calm and cold).
Mile splits for today: 6:49,6:45,6:41,6:33,6:54,6:40,6:38 (47:02) out
back-6:37,6:45,6:43,6:36,6:22,6:26,6:14 (45:44) for a 6:38 over-all average.
This coming week I'm going to back off the miles for a rest/recovery week.

12/35

12 miles today to make 35 for the week.
Great week of progress. Weather cooperated and things are coming around nicely.
Along with the running, I got 2 sessions of weights in as well.
Either 12k or 'worlds biggest hill-5 miler' next week if all goes as planned.,

Tuesday 10/Thursday7

Not any great stories to tell. It sure takes mental focus to run. That's why I admire runners I guess. It's not all fun and games. It's hard work. But it's worth it.
Planning on 5 tomorrow then 12 on Sunday.
A 12k in Oklahoma City on the 13th is on my mind. There's an outside chance at a state record (soft) if the running gods are feeling generous.

Results!!

Went into the race untrained (if that's a word). The longest I had run in over 6 months was a 10 miler last sunday.

Won my age group with a 57:45. Finished 50th out of several thousand runners. Managed to run negative splits 19:30 1st 5k, then an 19:08 then 19:07.(my hat blew off my head with 1000 meters to go and i went back to get it which cost me at least 10 seconds :)
The most important result was the one I needed. HUMILITY
To finish behind guys that have never beaten me was the kick in the ol' ars that will propel me through the winter.
By running the 15k I found my injury has pretty much faded. I've been pussy footing around for several months thinking my competitive running days were over.

Now I know I can come back. And MARK IT DOWN ........I will be back. 2011 is going to be a kick ass and take names year.
I know talk is cheap so I'll shut up and get to work.