1005 in 2010

Finished the year off with a 5 miler. Very similar to yesterdays wind-driven run.
Good running in the last 4 and a half months gives me hope for a strong 2011.
Happy New Year!

5 miles of foot placement

An out and back course, sent me directly into the famous Oklahoma late December SOUTH wind! These 20-25 mph sustained winds keep the focus on short powerful strides. Each step is a link to the overall strength of the run. Keeping a consistent push-off timed with the ensuing foot-plant is vital to maintaining momentum. Break the pattern and you feel like a kite whose string has been broken.
Upon reaching the turn-around, the wind machine forced a gear change. The wheels were now free to roll . Lifting the knees only a fraction of an inch higher and standing tall allowed the wind to push me home almost effortlessly. I felt like I had the stride length of a hurdler. Definitely gave the hamstrings a good flex work-out.
The internal heat that had been building unnoticed before the turn-around now had an almost smothering effect. It didn't last long though.
It doesn't take long to run two and a half miles with a strong wind to your back.

7 miles

On a cloudy breezy day my run brought me on to a billfold and it's guts strewn along the road-side.
After some investigative work I located the owner and gave him a call. He was quite relieved to get his license, ss card, bank card, various hunting/fishing licenses, etc. returned to him after getting them stolen on Christmas day. (he knew when it had been taken and by whom)

7 miles benefited me and someone else:)
the adventure continues with a 5 miler tomorrow

Recurring theme

Scanning over my running logs and entries in this blog from the past several years I see something that has got to change. I have time and again run myself into top shape only to succumb to an injury that could have been avoided. Foolishly pushing myself when I've reached a point of diminishing returns.
I've heard it said that injuries are the nature of the business of running. I suppose there's some truth to that.
I ran for years without any significant injuries so I know it can be done. Looking at the injury-free years and the most recent string of injury-riddled years, I see obvious differences.
My reason for running had changed and my level of patience had changed.
I ran for years in some sort of continuous glow of self approval. I was happy with the progress I was making so I just stayed the course without ever pushing beyond normal discomfort levels.
This approach protected me from over use or extreme effort. With my mind-set there really was no reason to search for satisfaction in my training..........I was being spoon fed bowls full of satisfaction on a weekly,monthly and yearly basis.
Then I got selfish.
I started thinking too much. I listened to everyone telling me I was superman. "You ought to fly to this national race or that international race" I was told.
I was looking for satisfaction somewhere besides the daily run. I abandoned the very reason I ran in the first place.
Recently I have been rejuvenated with the progress I have been making in the long road back to fitness. I have been reminded of the early days out on the roads.
Running and discovering. They go hand in hand if you let them.
Running and discovering. That is precisely my plan. I am tired of 'come-backs'. I plan on staying right where I'm at fitness- wise. Happy with today's effort without wondering if it translates into anything beyond enjoyment here and now.
11 in the hills today and it felt great!!!

17/40/977

Finished off an interesting week of running with an encouraging long run this morning. Cold north winds kept me company under bright sun-light and white, wispy clouds. 17 miles in 2 hours. Right at 7 minutes per mile.
That's the longest run for me since March. 40 for the week.
I need 23 miles before the bell tolls on Friday night to make it 1000 miles for the year.

Reclaiming

11 miles on a cold,cloudy, calm Christmas eve morning. What was mine before injuring myself (recklessly) months ago, I am reclaiming. It feels good.
I guess one of the benefits of injury or illness is the satisfying experience of getting back what seemed to have been lost forever.

Merry Christmas!!!

Quick sick

The worst came and went in a 36 hour span. Achy, sneezy, congestion. Able to go 7 1/2 miles this morning comfortably. With the weather turning wet and cold in the next few days, I may be done for the week. Don't want a relapse.

Cough

Planned on 5 miles every day this week but got sick instead. Cough.
keep you posted. Cough Cough

5k win

Went to the "Grand Christmas 5k " and ran a 17:46 for 1st place. Didn't use my watch but still managed to run the time I had programed in my mind. I knew anything faster was flirting with potential systems failure so I dialed up the memory of 3:33 per 1000 pace and nailed it!
Happy with that time considering no speed work and 28 degree temperature. Also glad the wind wasn't blowing .

out the door for 7 more

With basketball games tomorrow there will be no chance to run so I did the deed this evening. The temp was tolerable and the wind was calm so I have no complaints. 7 miles

Late evening 10

With a restless night of sleep last night and a slight ache in the legs, I considered writing in a big '0' for the day, but got motivated and ran 10 instead. Not the best I've done but 10 miles is doing something no matter how fast or how slow you go.

Evening 10

Never got into any groove or rythym but managed to slug out a 10 miler. Started around 4:30 so had to run the last 1/3 in darkness. I really wish they'd leave the daylight savings alone.

12 /36/ 864/ 27,000

That's 12 for the day,36 for the week 864 for the year and 27,000 miles since I started logging my running back in 1993. I've hit several rough patches along the way but in general it's been a great adventure. Hopefully I can say that in another 27,000 miles.............. on second thought,I guess I'd better take it a day at a time.

wednesday 7

Won't be able to run tomorrow evening so I got a 7 miler in this evening. Next run will probably be a 10k on Saturday morning. Hoping to be able to run a 36:??