Describe Your Running Today, Part II

I don't usually respond to this thread, but I had a great run today and wanted to share. There's a Brooks Outlet store in the mall where I work that's going out of business (sad). So I just bought a running vest for $10. I was thinking I might get stuck on the treadmill for 5 miles because the weather was awful and I've been sick.

But then the weather cleared and I took off. It was one of those days where I had plenty of energy. I was trying to take it easy and run slow, but my legs pushed me faster. I usually run at 8:00 pace, but ran about 7:00 for much of it, including uphill. I feel great! (but should get to bed).

Nothing better than heading out for a slow run and finding yourself rolling along fast and free instead.

Rode the last 12kms into work along old rail trail in pouring rain and high humidity. Ran back to car tonight at 10.30 about 8kms straight across town, not raining and somewhat cooler.

well hello again there AA;

i just had a good run myself with the lunchtime university track group. It was just Valeria (just looking for some aerobic activity) and Jacopo, who has been boxing for 4 years and wants to get fitter for his fighting debut.

Wildly divergent abilities but managed a "group of 3" workout focussing on steps, small steps, big steps,and more steps (the track and sorroundings were rained out.

About one hour. Then Valeria left us and we just tempoed on the outside for about anoher 30mins.

-442 days to Gimmelwald, Switzerland, at The Mother Of All Running Gatherings

today: villa pamphili, chilly by med standards, wore my vibrams with socks, majpr bicycle commute

AM: brisk run walk to school and back, approx 4k

Yesterday, after work, 15kms mountain bike ride around trails in Kangaroo Flat -47mins. Back to clubrooms for a shower and change. Met up with the Bride for a xmas party at a pub in Bendigo.

Timm's Hill for a ski with Neil and John.

2;35 at varied effort. 12 miles. Plenty of trail side chatter. Signed the guest book on Olson's Hill. Not a single entry since my last note on Nov.10th. Other than a few red squirrels, we were the only wildlife afield.

40min/12km mountain bike on trails, mostly long dry sections of lake bed below the speed boat club. It's still a full km from their boat ramp to the water.

Then put the kyak in and paddled 18mins into a secluded inlet.

Put on the xc shoes and did a challenging 30mins run on loose sandy trails. Finished the run with a few sandhill sprints.

Paddled 15 mins back. Very pleasant way to spend a sunny afternoon.

Weather, sunny 28 C with a soft breeze. Wildlife. On the bike I spotted a few roos. A few herons and cormorants along the lake.

While paddling. A pelican. Whistling eagles x 3 inc a young one. Several crested grebe. These are rather amusing birds. They dive as the kyak nears them then come up 15-20 secs later look around and see me again and repeat the process. This can go on for 5-10 mins.

I also spotted a 1.5 metre red bellied black snake on the water's edge, just near where I was about to land the craft. They are such a beautiful creature but I do like to keep some distance between myself and them!!

Also numerous black and wood ducks.

During the run I had dozens of roos for company. I also came across a rather large hare.

mopak, whenever i read your posts i cant help but think of Gerlad Durrell (My Family and Other Animals)

Speaking of family...last kids track session for 2009, held a special xmas relays-day... set up a large-ish grid on the muddy grass (fun!),approx 35x45m, 16 lanes by five obstacles and just did a whole bunch of change-over drills in teams and pairs. Finished off with a 4x400 mixed adults/kids relay just as the track was geaaring for a xmas 5k fun race. The best part was that a national caliber hurdler had come to do some fast fast 300s (with 3 mins recovery) and so we (more than 100 of us) collaborated to make sure he always had a free lane to bolt along...good spirit, good athletics, he was actually a real bonus for the kids to watch close up...

-441 days to Gimmelwald, Switzerland, at The Mother Of All Running Gatherings, The MOARG, that's the name....The MOARG...

Had wanted to do a long run but cut it short due to left foot pain so settled for an eleven miler on the notorious trail made famous by Brian Pope in Oxford, Mississippi, w/one ascent up Thacker Mtn. (its hunting season).

Is the Blaze orange the attire in Mississippi's hunting woods?

Recovery ski at Nine Mile forest. 16K in 80 minutes with Jim. Snow conditions at timm's hill were substantially better.

Second day of classic striding. Feeling it in the hip flexors and adductors.

I love notorious trails, but sounds like bright coloured clothing would be the best option. I'm not familiar with why this trail is notorious nor familiar with Brian Pope. Some google research to be sure.

Grand-daughter's 4th birthday party down in Melbourne today. A 7.30 pm 12.3 km loop around town in a brisk 54.40.

No orange. Ole Miss owns the road up Thacker Mtn. and 5 acres at the top. Anyways I mostly run pre-dawn.

Brian Pope:

http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=5362

http://www.pinebeltpacers.org/News/Pope/Pope.html

And the story:

http://www.runnerspace.com/gprofile.php?mgroup_id=28&do=news&pg=1&news_id=672&folder_id=0&offset=0

Thaks for the read, much to think about and a healthy dose of inspiration from an environmental Pope to be much appreciated.

today: freezing temps, races all over, at home with kids doing xmas stuff. Managed to sneak out right after lunch in Villa Pamhili for some loops in the sunny recommeded dog area: first one in 13m37s, 2) in 13m00, 3rd in 12m21. 1 hour total of solitary bliss.

The Bride has her Christmas Concert this afternoon. I'm still searching for time to harvest a tree for the season.

Facing 5 hours road time this PM to get the younger daughter back to school for an exam tomorrow.

AM. 30 minute run on the yet unopened snowmobile trail. Love the feel of those Inov-8 Mudclaws on stiff snow. One flock of snow buntings on the road home.

Christmas logistics getting the upperhand. No running yesterday.

Yesterday.Ran 7 miles at solid effort. 145- 150 HR. I under dressed and a shifting wind inspired a quicker than normal pace. Planning a family ski this PM. Still no tree up.

driske,

no tree? This year i was procrastinating as usual and the kids got fed up with me, took over and did it by themselves, LOL, it was quite a show, they were totally driven...

Yesterday: managed 1 easy hour in Villa Pamphili after lunchtime, totally deserted until hooked up with a local habitue' CarloL who i usually only see at races and it was a nice break from the grayness. It had been raining since saturday afternoon, finally sunny today...

We are going to leave 2009 soon, and move into 2010, one measly digit closer to 2011, the year of The MOARG, The Mother Of All Running Gatherings, in Gimmelwald, Switzerland, as we know, in the year of Two Thousand plus Ten plus One...

walked about 1M on Monday with some lingering calf stiffness.....got in 30' on the elliptical Tuesday......likely a few more days before any running......the good news is this calf situation gives the knee a good rest......hopefully I'll be ready to go for the new year......happiest of holidays to all DYRTers.....

Yep, merry xmas and happy holidays!

today, villa pamphili on the campone, slow jog warmup, 8x1round, so spilt up, approx 80m quadrupedia, approx 420m tempo run, approx 80m recovery. Then 2x500m with 80 m recovery. Splits might follow if i can figure out this new watch...