training - 6

I've been working for the last nine days, as well as the last four nights. We've been scrambling to complete a last-minute email, etc. migration to Google Apps, so I haven't had a lot of chances to run or see the light of day.

So it felt really good to get out and do 4.5 miles tonight. Beautiful weather, clear skies, and an open Peepsock Trail. Ahh.

I did run, or attempted to run, last Thursday. But between the wind, shin splints, and a mental block, it was a crappy mile and a half or so. I borrowed a stretched-out pair of compression sleeves from Nancy to give my lower legs some more support as well as a sleek, fashionable profile. Between that and skipping the weekend's long run (thanks, work), my legs felt good today.

Really liking the Motoactv too.

Yesterday afternoon was beautiful, contrary to the dire predictions of the weatherfolk. Sunny, warm, slightly breezy. A great day for

HILLS OF DEATH.

Ugh. Nancy showed me a nice, compact looking little track just blocks from her house, and even though I hate running laps, I thought it would be a nice, easy 4.0 miles. Nope.

It wasn't horrible though, and bombing down Bridge during the downhill part of the 0.8-mile lap was pretty fun. I've been feeling confident about my cardio strength compared to my legs (which need to catch up), but this run quashed that idea.

Oh, and I got another new thing.

(Wow, fluorescent light is so flattering to my pasty skin.) Anyway, it's a Motorola MOTOACTV, an Android-based fitness watch. It has a GPS and does Bluetooth, WiFi, ANT+ fitness sensors (like my heart rate monitor and bike sensor), and plays MP3s. I might just have to take it for a jog tonight to see how it does...

7.0 miles. That seems like a big number.

It felt better than last week's long run (6.0 miles), despite the persistent cold wind all the way back. This was the first run in my new Brooks Glycerin 8s, which I picked up on clearance. I really like them so far. The fit is very similar to my Ghost 3s, and it feels like there's a bit more cushioning going on. I'll probably switch between these for long runs and the Ghost 3s for my shorter runs.

My shins have been acting up a bit, but they were much better today, I think because of the shoes. My biggest obstacle during this run was mental. I did a lot of thinking about the day of the half marathon, and that along with the relentless wind kept me out of "the zone". Regardless, it was a good, gratifying run.

Lousy weather, sore legs, a bloo bla bloo bloo. Mister Forerunner 305 did much better on run after I cleared the satellite cache (hold the down arrow and turn it on).

Tonight's run was 4.0 miles, though for some reason my Forerunner 305 couldn't get a fix for the first half mile or so, which it's been doing fairly often lately. Hrmph. Is this a good excuse for getting something shinier?

Welp, I ran my longest distance yet, 6.0 miles. I accomplished this feat without

1. dying,
2. aspirating a Swedish Fish™, or
3. setting my compression shorts on fire.

The weather was really great this morning, which made for a very enjoyable run. My shins were complaining during the middle couple of miles, but I took it easy and finished without drama. Not the fastest pace ever, but it'll do.

Oh, I almost forgot. G came running with me on Thursday after work. It was good to have someone else to run with, since Nancy's much too fast for me now. Our route included a couple of killer hills; hopefully we'll make this a regular thing.

Yep, time to start flashing my sexy legs. I dusted off my running shorts, much to the amusement/horror of other people on the road. Exposed legs seemed like a good idea, especially on the first half of my run ("out"), but got a bit chilly on the second half ("back"). Apparently it was breezy out, and the headwind fought me a bit near the end, though I still managed a relatively quick time.

Nothing too exciting about today's run other than the weather, which was mild and sunny. I'm still liking the Cascadia 6s quite a bit.

Time for a home-brewed brown ale. I don't always drink beer for recovery, but when I do, I prefer homebrew.