Sunday, 10/21/2018 to Saturday, 10/27/2018

I ran 4 times this week: 36.61 miles.
I took 87,662 steps this week according to my Pebble 2 HR smart watch.
Common abbreviation: OMEP is Orange Mud Endurance Pack. I haven't worn it lately though.

Sunday, 11/21/2018: 16919 steps during the day, 11.06 miles, 1:31:59, 8:19 pace, 36F, 64% RH, 13 mph NW wind, wind chill 28F, overcast.

I was up with the alarm at 6:20 AM. I puttered around a bit while I started a load of laundry and ate my usual pre-run bowl of cereal and banana. It was cold and windy ... so even it was still October I dug into my box of winter running gear. I wore my CW-X tights, two long tech shirts (heather red 2018 Rochester Half and red Finish Strong), heavy running gloves, Brooks beanie and GRTC neck gaiter. I stepped outside and when the wind hit me ... I didn't think I was overdressed (maybe a smidge). The west wind was quite biting as I set up a nice and easy pace. I decided to head out to Lowden Point Rd and back which I knew was 11 miles. I doubted my sanity all the way out there. It would have been so easy to just stay inside and sip coffee ... I need to get to 100 miles for the month and long runs don't get done by themselves. I felt better when I turned and headed back with the wind at my back. Still ... I was happy to be done when I got done. My splits were: 8:22, 8:28, 8:15, 8:36, 8:28, 8:22, 8:18, 8:14, 8:10, 8:15 and 8:04.

The inaugural ROCtoberfest 5K with 645 finishers was held in Genesee Valley Park, results here. The Rochester Running Company helped GRTC celebrate their 60th birthday with a party after their Saturday morning run attended by about 100 runners.

The Buffalo Bills laid an egg again against the Indianapolis Colts, 37-5, link here, to fall to 2-5 on the season. The latest QB (the 3rd in 2018), Anderson, was rusty but the defense didn't show up either. Next up is a Monday night home game against the New England Patriots (Pats favored by 14). My prediction? Chalk up another L as Brady (28-3 as Patriot QB versus the Bills) loves to carve up the Bills.

Monday, 10/22/2018: 5964 steps during the day, rest day.

Tuesday, 10/23/2018: 19314 steps during the day, 8.15 miles, 1:08:56, 8:27 pace, 52F, 71% RH, 12 mph WNW wind, overcast with sprinkles.

Well ... putting in the miles to get to my monthly goal of 100 miles. I have a 2 year streak going and don't want to break it. It looks like I will get there on the last run of the month. I was a bit gimpy due to my left calf early in the month and rested it before the Empire State Half.

So ... I got out there from Greece Arcadia High School. The weather was a bit sunny when I got there just 5 PM but the clouds rolled in and I got sprinkled on for most of the run. The wind was definitely chilly. I had light running gloves on but I wished I had my Brooks beanie on instead of a hat. My ears were a bit chilly! I set up a nice and steady pace and let the run happen. I think I will need more reflectivity and lights next week. My splits were: 8:28, 8:38, 8:35, 8:13, 8:11, 8:17, 8:40, 8:32 and 8:46 over the last 0.15 mile.

Wednesday, 10/24/2018: 6712 steps during the day, rest day.

Thursday, 10/25/2018: 17040 steps during the day, 8.15 miles, 1:07:10: 8:14 pace, 43F, 56% RH, 8 mph NNW wind, wind chill 39F, overcast.

More miles. I dressed for the conditions: shorts, a long (heather red 2018 Rochester Half) and short (black 2018 Empire State Half) sleeve tech, head band (to get my ears warm) and heavy running gloves. I was comfy but not too hot. I set up a nice pace and let the run happen. My splits were: 8:19. 8:14. 8:19, 8:09, 8:08, 8:10, 8:19, 8:20 and 8:00 over the last 0.15 mile.

Friday, 10/26/2018: 7140 steps during the day, rest day.

Saturday, 10/27/2018: 14573 steps during the day, 9.25 miles, 1:17:14, 8:21 pace, 39F, 93% RH, 7 mph E wind, wind chill 35F, overcast.

Today was my annual Kelly's Donut Run. It's a friendly run loosely organized by the Bagel Bunch, Facebook group page here, on two weekends in late October. A long run followed by donuts and coffee go so well together! Yes, it was dark and a bit damp but I was up with my alarm at 5:50 AM. The forecast was for lots of rain later in the day but there were only a few sprinkles so far. I puttered around while I ate my usual pre-run bowl of cereal and banana. It was about 40F so I wore my CW-X tights, long sleeve tech (red Finish Strong), short sleeve tech (black 2018 Empire State Half), Darn Tough socks and Brooks beanie. I got to Kelly's out in Hilton around 7:25 AM. There were about 20 runners when everyone got there. We set out at 7:31 AM. I ran with the lead group of 4 for a mile before they slowly pulled away. We stopped to regroup about for about 5 minutes at mile 5 before we continued onward. I ran the rest of the way with Christine Antonini. I know I ran a bit faster than she wanted to but I wanted someone to run with. The route I chose was only 8 miles so she suggested that we run a 3/4 mile loop that ran by her house on Carne Marie Lane. I wanted 10 miles but I settle for 9>25 mile. My splits were: 8:23, 8:07, 8:04, 7:55, 8:03, 8:19, 8:45, 8:35, 8:40 and 9:16 over the last 0.25 mile. I changed my wet upper clothes for a dry long sleeve tech and my Brooks jacket before I went to buy 6 fresh (and warm) donuts (3 cinnamon and 3 powdered) and coffee. We all sat around and talked by the fire for a bit. Two of the cinnamon donuts disappeared before I left to head home. My lovely wife, Christine, and I ate the rest and drank coffee. It was a fine and relaxing rest of the morning.

Meanwhile, the Pumpkins in the Park 5K was held over by Fleet Feet Armory. I ran this race in 2010 - 22:12, 2011 - 21:51, 2012 - 22:46 and 2013 - 22:10. The results of the 238 who finished in 2018, here. Some Rochester runners ran in the Cape Cod Half Marathon, results here.