Sunday, 9/16/2012 to Saturday, 9/22/12

I ran 3 times this week, 15.2 miles

Sunday, 9/16/12: My 55th birthday, 60F, sunny, calm, 7 miles, 1:10:28, 10:03 pace

Well, I woke up as a newbie in the M55-59 age group! I didn't race today, I just ran for fun! That could only mean that I got up, out and down to Mendon Ponds Park to run the dusty but always refreshing blue and green trail.

Garmin Connect Activity for Mendon Ponds Park - Blue and Green trail

I started out around 10:10AM or so. It was perfect running weather: 60F, sunny, calm. I struck up my usual trail pace around 10:00 or so. I motored around the blue, then onto the green and did a bit more of the blue before I stopped. I was mindful of my right achilles but it didn't seem to bother me. I saw 12 horses, 2 does and numerous walkers and a couple of runners. All in all, a nice way to get some endorphins.

On the way home I picked up the Sunday Democrat and Chronicle and a couple of red raspberry glazed donuts from Dunkin Donuts. The donuts were delicious with coffee! Then Christine and I watched the Buffalo Bills play the KC Chiefs. The Bills won 35-17 to even up at 1-1, link here.

Christine warmed up her delicious spare ribs that she cooked last night ... mmmm! We ended up the evening by watching "Battleship" from OnDemand.

All in all, a great birthday!!!

Monday, 9/17/12: Rest day.

I felt like crap all day with a splitting headache and stomachache. I felt a bit better in the afternoon and evening but not much.

Tuesday, 9/18/12: Laundry day.

I could have gone for a run but towels and sheets needed to be done. So laundry trumped running for tonight.

Wednesday, 9/19/12: PT day.

I went to the physical therapist again. He soon found that standing heel raises were a bit painful to me so I got a heavier rubber band to stretch my right achilles as well as sitting heel raises to do until I can do standing heel raise later in the week. Now if I could commit to doing these exercises!

Thursday, 9/20/12: 70F, sunny, calm, 4.6 miles in Tryon Park, a bit of right achille pain towards the end

Garmin Connect Activity for Tryon Park

I needed some endorphins that only running can supply so I headed down to Tryon Park at 6PM to hook up with the Medved trail running crowd. Six of the Sehgahunda Training group were there too. All in all, about 40 to 50 people showed up. I had never been to this park before. The west edge is just a stone throw away from I590 ... which was a bit loud. It is also just across the wetlands from Lucien Morin Park (aka Ellison Wetlands). We headed out and found lots of trails, roots, rocks, up and down. I think it is more difficult than Lucien Morin Park. It was dark in the woods combined with the whole "It's September" so I really looked at my footing. I stayed with the lead runners. We stopped every mile or so to let the slower runners catch up. I tried to pause and restart my Garmin at each stop but screwed up. I should have just let it run. Someone told me we ran 4.6 miles so I went with it.

My right achilles start aching towards the end but I did get my dose of running endorphins that I needed. I met up with a guy who says he will be "dogging" me in every race that we both enter ... sounds like fun! I told him that I plan on entering the Scarecrow 5K on 10/13.

Friday, 9/21/12: Rest day.

My right achilles did ache during the day. But ... it was the price I paid for the endorphins of last night.

Saturday, 9/22/12: 60F, cloudy, a bit windy, 4.2 miles, 34:28, 8:12 pace, no stops, no pain.

Christine and I lazed around as is our norm for a weekend. Later in the afternoon, I headed out for a nice and easy run for more endorphins. My right achilles was a bit tight at first but soon loosened up. A nice run ensued.

Garmin Connect Activity for Around the block in Irondeqoit

Then we headed out to the nearby Salvatore's on East Ridge Rd. I had chicken wings with a sweet and tangy sauce while Christine had a calzonne with pepperoni and mushrooms along with a couple pitchers of Yuengling to wash it all down. Mmmm!

During the day, I was keeping up with John Muoio's exploits doing the Hunter Mountain Ironman, link here. He has a new nickname now, Iron John! Way to go!