Sunday, 9/1/2013 to Saturday, 9/7/2013

I ran 3 times this week, 49.3 miles
I did not bike this week.

Sunday, 9/1/2013: Rest day.

My darling Christine and I got up and out for once. I had a Groupon for half off a kayak rental for 4 hours down at Genesee Waterways Center so off we went. We got down there around 2:15 PM. The day was a bit overcast and warm. We chose a double kayak. Christine sat in back. I sat in front. We were off on the Genesee River with about 30 seconds of instruction. We had never been in a kayak so ... we didn't do so well at first. We were going in circles, getting each other wet with out paddles and clacking our paddles for at least the first half hour. We did have moments when we actually went straight and made it upstream to past where the Genesee River and the Erie Canal met and upstream across the U of R Interfaith Chapel a couple of times. We got with 50 feet of a blue heron and some ducks. We had fun but we think that next time we will rent separate kayaks since we both got each other drenched.

We went home to change and then we were off again down to Silver Stadium to use the free tickets that Bill Beyerbach gave me. It was the second to last game of the season. We spent about a third of the game on the 3rd base line deck eating and chatting before we took our seats. We got a bit sprinkled on but enjoyed that the Redwings beat the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders 3-2, link here. The Redwings made it exciting ... the RailRiders had men on first and third with two outs before Bobby Wilson struck out looking to end the game. We high tailed it home since there was lightning in the sky ... no rain fell where we were until later while we were asleep.

Monday, Labor Day, 9/2/2013: 20.1 miles, 3:09:49, 9:27 pace, 70F, 88% RH, overcast to sunny and back, calm.

Garmin Connect Activity for 20.1 miles around the streets of Irondequoit

I got up and out by 7:40 AM to approximate the conditions of running the Rochester Marathon in three weeks. I had decided to run 20 miles by just running my normal 10K loop three times and a bit more. I was not pleased by the heat, humidity and sun. I just tried to take it nice and easy. I took off my tech top at mile 5. I was already doing a run/walk. I had a discussion with myself at mile 11 as to whether I was going to continue or not and also whether I was going to drop from the full to the half marathon. I continued on after I decided that I would see how this run went. I got the run done and walked it in after I got to 20.1 miles. I was beat but I got it done. Hopefully it will be cooler for the Rochester Marathon in three weeks.

Tuesday, 9/3/2013: Rest day. Moving on ...

Wednesday, 9/4/2013: 13.7 miles, 2:00:36, 8:48 pace, 75F, 54% RH, overcast, a bit breezy.

Garmin Connect Activity for 13.7 miles around the streets of Irondequoit

I went out for a "let's find my marathon pace" run on two loops on my usual 10K loop. I wanted to find the long run pace that I can run for a long time. I think I did. It seems to be around a 8:30 to 8:50 pace. I did like the weather for this run. Hopefully, the weather will be similar or cooler in two and a half weeks.

My darling wife, Christine, made her luscious BLTs as my post run supper. Yum!

Thursday, 9/5/2013: Rest day. Moving on ...

Friday, 9/6/2013: 15.5 miles, 2:15:54, 8:48 pace, 70F, 40% RH, partly cloudy, calm.

Garmin Connect Activity for 15.5 miles around the streets of Irondequoit

I needed to get out for what I think will be my last long run before the Rochester Marathon. So ... I hit my usual 10K route up for 2 loops and then tacked on a 3.5 mile loop around the block. Result ... sweetness! I just ran in the groove at a nice and easy gait. I started a little faster like usual but slowed after 5 miles or so. I felt really good and even took my first Gu while I slowed to a slower run. I took my second Gu while I walked. But it's all good. I think I will switch back to Gels though since I think they are easier to get out of their packets while on the run along with being easier to swallow. I didn't charge up my light before I headed out so I had to be a bit careful running on the last loop in the gathering dark. But no trips, no troubles. If I had a headlamp I would have gone for another loop.

I also helped with the laundry. What's a couple of more trips up and down stairs to the basement after a 15.5 mile run?

Saturday, 9/7/2013: Travel day to Cuyahoga Falls, OH

Christine and I am not early travel people. Plus a couple more loads of laundry needed to be done. So we didn't set out out 1:10 PM and got out to the Country Inn & Suites in Cuyahoga Fall OH at 6:30 PM. Next up was supper. We got our laptops on wifi and selected the Brick House Tavern and Tap about 1/2 mile away on Howe Ave for supper. We sat on a couch and had lots of TVs to look although the atmosphere was noisy and distracting. I had the 1/2 rack of baby back rib and Christine had the prosciutto wrapped meatloaf. We shared an apple cobbler for dessert. It was OK but a bit pricey. Next time we will eat elsewhere since there were a lot of choices on Howe Ave. Back at the hotel I multitasked by watching Salt on the wide screen TV and watching the Buffy The Vampire Slayer episode called The Harvest on Netflix off my laptop. I thought about reading a book too ... lol.