Sunday, 5/15/2016 to Saturday, 5/21/2016 - Dirt Cheap #2

I ran 3 times this week, 20.14 miles.

Sunday, 5/15/2016 to Tuesday, 5/17/2016: Rest days.

Sunday and Monday were definitely rest days after the Mind the Ducks debacle. Perhaps debacle is too strong a word but I do believe that MTD was not my best effort or race. Yes, I did get to 26.2 miles ... but I walked 11 of them and then bailed with 6 hours to go because I was cold. I didn't have the physical and mental toughness to survive a 12 hour endurance run.

Tuesday was just the usual "don't run the day before a race" rest day ... nothing unusual.

Wednesday, 5/18/2016: 2 runs of 1.7 and Dirt Cheap #2 of 5.29 miles, 60F, 42% RH, 6 mph NE wind, sunny.

I packed all my usual run gear (shorts, socks, calf sleeves, short sleeve tech, long sleeve tech along with a hat, light gloves and water just in case) in the Equinox before I left for work so I could go straight to Black Creek Park for my first Dirt Cheap of 2016. I didn't make the first one because I was sick. I got out to the race venue around 5:30 PM in plenty of time for the 6:30 PM start.

I just wore shorts, calf sleeves and a short sleeve tech. It was warm enough ... finally. I met up with Andy Ciaio who told me of his 7:20 pace effect at Sunday's Lilac 10K when it was 40F. He said that he did 7:00 for the first 3 miles downhill and downwind and then 7:40 pace coming back uphill and into a 20 mph wind with light snow in the air. It definitely sounds chilly and even colder that MTD!

I got out for a nice and easy trail run of 1.7 miles at 10:10 pace, link here. I assessed the trail conditions. It looked like there would be mud. I hadn't had fresh mud on my Saloman Speedcross 3 trail shoes since Mess the Dress ... nice!

I had not run this course back in 2015 either so it would be a new experience that I looked forward to ... but also with a bit of apprehension as what tricks Boots would throw in. I ambled toward the start ... along with a few hundred runners. I laughed when Ellen said her usual "Follow the pink flags ... Don't follow the runner in front of you ... If you get lost, it's your own fault!". Yellow Jacket Racing is a class act ... respect. And ... we were off.

The start ... photo courtesy of Barb Boutillier

The start ... photo courtesy of Jeff Scheuch

The race started right up the sledding hill. I took it at my own pace and let runners pass me. I settled into a nice but fast trail pace. A lady lost her shoe within the first 1/2 mile. I laughed when she passed me in a bit with both of her shoes off but then she stopped later and put them both back on. 

Somewhere ... photo courtesy of Barb Bourtillier

Running on the boardwalk ... photo courtesy of Jeff Scheuch

The first half of the course with wide open double track. I settled into the passing lane and started to pass runner after runner. I felt good. I splashed right through any mud that I encountered ... it was fun! There was about a mile of single track where no one could pass which kind of sucked when I got stuck behind a slightly slower runner. I managed to get by and kicked it up a notch. I was thirsty but running as fast as I could. The hills were just gentle rollers with not too many roots. Boots had the course take a second trip up the sledding hill before we made it toward the finish. I was definitely slower on the second trip than the first trip. I tried to pass the guy in front of me ... but he held me off. And ... done in 44:03 officially and also by my Garmin.

I was parched and a bit drenched with sweat. I swallowed 2 hot dogs and a banana before I ambled out to the Equinox for some water. The Dirt Cheaps are a no cup race to cut down on waste so no water cups ... which can be a drag if you don't carry water like I do.

I did pretty well. I was 87th out of 438 overall, link here; 69th out of 339 in the series, link here; and 4th out of 17 in my M55-59 age group, link here. My splits were: 8:33, 7:56, 8:16, 8:42, 8;29 and 7:21 over the last 0.29 mile. Pretty fast for a trail race!

Thursday, 5/19/2016 and Friday, 5/20/2016: Rest days

The usual rest days but during this period of rest I have the idea of revisiting North Ponds Park to try a bit of Mind the Ducks again with the same pair of Brooks Adrenaline GTS15 running shoes (black/yellow) to see if I fared any better. I think my darling wife, Christine, thought I was crazy.

Saturday, 5/21/2016: 13.15 miles, 2:04:48, 9:29 pace, 54F, 67% RH, calm, handset.

I set my alarm for the ungodly time of 4:40 AM. I was determined and I had thoughts of running a full in 4 hours or running for 6 hours. I packed some food (apples, bananas, HammerGels, a sandwich) and water. It was a bit cool so I wore long running pants over my Brooks shorts and wore a long sleeve tech on top. I got out to North Ponds Park around 6 AM. There was strangely not too much traffic on the way there and only 2 cars were in the parking lot when I pulled in.


So ... I started out at 6:07 AM. I set up a nice and easy pace at about 9:00 pace. I had listened to Frank Sinatra singing "I Did It My Way" on the way out so I sang that to myself as I looped around and around. I say "Hi" to all the walkers as I passed the first time and then nodded the rest of the times. I stopped for 2 minutes to removed my running pants and to change into my short sleeve tech at mile 7. I passed mile 10 and then thought ... "I don't need to beat myself up about Mind the Ducks" and made up my mind to stop at 13.1 miles. I only ran this 13.1 miles 4 minutes faster than I did the previous week.

My Mind the Ducks "failure" was due to lack of training, and a bad day. I am also pretty convinced that my newish Brooks Adrenaline GTS15 running shoes (black/yellow) DO NOT have much cushion in them despite having only 120 miles on them. What I learned: I should have treated Mind the Ducks like an actual ultra marathon that you do need to TRAIN FOR ... not half ass it by continuing to run half marathons and then stop. I needed to have had three or four 20 mile runs under my belt and I didn't. Plus I needed to have had my mind set on being there 12 hours under any weather conditions ... I was unprepared for the weather. Oh well ... you live and you learn. So ... I got to 13.1 miles, I stopped and I went home with a pit stop at the nearby Wegmans to get a couple of donuts.

Soon I was reclining with the usual mug of coffee. I spent the afternoon trying to follow some complicated instructions on how to slipstream the new Windows 7 Convenience Rollup into the Windows 7 SP1 ISO on on one of my many USB drives, link here. The one thing that sucks about loading Windows 7 SP1 onto a laptop is downloading and installing the 200+ updates since SP1 came out.

Sunday, 5/8/2016 to Saturday, 5/14/2016 - Mind the Ducks

I ran 3 times this week for 43.61 miles.

Sunday, 5/8/2016: 9.35 miles, 1:17:57, 8:20 pace, 45F, 66% RH, 12 mph NW wind, wind chill 39F, sunny

Garmin Connect Activity for A nice and easy 15K

I started my taper for Mind the Ducks. Yesterday, 11 miles ... today, 9.35 miles. I wore my new Brooks Adrenaline GTS15s and they did feel better on my feet. It was a bit colder than yesterday so I wore 2 tech shirts: 1 long sleeve and 1 short sleeve along with shorts, a hat and calf sleeves. I took a bit nice and easy with splits: 37, 27, 16, 17, 18, 00, 13, 28, 24 and 23 over the last 0.35 miles.

Monday, 5/9/2016: Rest day ... necessary but not a fan.

Tuesday, 5/10/2016: 8 miles, 1:08:42, 8:35 pace, 61F, 31% RH, 11 mph NNE wind, partly cloudy.

Garmin Connect Activity for 8 loops of Cobbs Hill

I had my running gear in the Equinox. I almost blew off this run. I thought about it but I resolved that it would get done. Eight miles was what I wanted to run. So I changed in my office (handy with its locked door). Now where to run? I could go home and run on the usual route on Edgemere. But I wanted to run Cobbs Hill so I drove there. The traffic didn't bother me. The hill would still be there when I got there. I geared up and settled into a nice and easy pace ... that might of gotten a bit faster as I warmed up. My splits were: 9:14, 8:33, 8:39, 8:32, 8:21, 8:21, 8:31 and 8:39. Done. My darling wife, Christine, had some scrumptious pork chops ready when I got home ... sweet!

The Mind the Ducks forecast is looking good ... cool, cloudy with a chance of rain. Excellent running weather for running 12 hours in a circle!

Wednesday, 5/11/2016 to Friday, 5/13/2016: All rest days before Mind the Ducks.

Saturday, 5/14/2016: 26.21 miles, 5:42:08, 13:03 pace, 55F, 72% RH, 5 mph SSW wind, partly cloudy with a period of light rain

Today was my first attempt at Mind the Ducks, a 12 hour endurance run around a 1.012013 mile paved loop at North Ponds Park in Webster. I had signed Christine up for this race also. I set my alarm for 4:40AM. I had packed most of my gear the night before: shorts, calf sleeves, 2 long sleeve techs, 2 short sleeve techs, hat, sunglass, Garmin Forerunner 310XT with its lengthy battery life, some sunscreen, BodyGlide, Endurolytes. Looking back ... I woefully underpacked for the conditions. I wanted to leave at 5:45AM and get there around 6AM. But ... we left around 6AM. Christine looked like she was packing for an overnight trip with two bags ... but she did have some surprises in store.

We got to the venue at 6:20AM. We got our bibs, pinned them on and went back to Equinox to get our gear. I shouldered two chairs and my small running bag. Christine brought her bags.

We set up next Tom Butler's tent and said "Hi" to him, his wife, Amy, and his daughter, Christina. I said "Hi" to other runners that I knew: Prem Kumar, John Muoio, Mike Meynadasy, Dave Cornell, Jason "Jmac" McElwain, Kathy Reardon, Wendy Abbott. My hands were cold. Magically, Christine pulled out a pair of running gloves out of one of her bags.


I didn't warm up ... I should have I think ... I kissed Christine before the start and settled in for the start. I didn't really hear a "Go" ... all of a sudden we started to go. I got bottlenecked a bit but soon found a clean spot to go at my pace before the first "hill". This hill about 0.3 mile in seemed to grow every time I passed it.

Dave Cornell, myself and Sean Storie (left to right) crossing the line at loop 2 ... photo courtesy of Laura 

So ... around and around this mile loop I ran. I must say I never found a groove. I had to use the potta-potty to pee every 2 or 3 loops for a while. I seemed to have no energy so I tried to eat something every couple of loops. I gravitated toward a quarter of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and 3 Pringles along with a swig of water.

Early on ... photo courtesy of Chris Patterson

I changed out of my long sleeve tech into a short sleeve tech when I warmed a bit after 7 or 8 loops. I remember that I finished 13.1 miles in 2:09:20, 9:52 pace. The weather had changed into a light rain so I put on my long sleeve tech over my short sleeve tech.

A very appropriate shirt and umbrella ... photo courtesy of Vickey Beaver of GRTC

Some goslings that crossed the course ... photo courtesy of Tracy Hardes

Then ... the bottom fell out around loop 15. I just didn't feel like running. So I walked and walked and walked some more. The light rain had stopped.

Loop 18 ... photo courtesy of Vickey Beaver

People kept on running by me and offered me encouragement. I just kept on walking with my head down. I tried to run on the backstretch of loop 20. I lasted for about 0.2 mile before my left ankle hurt and convinced me to stop. It felt like I was running with no cushioning on my feet. But my Brooks Adrenaline GTS15 running shoes had only 100 miles on them!! So I walked and walked and walked. I told Christine that I was going to walk until I got to a marathon ... so I did. Meanwhile Christine had walked 10 loops herself. She did quite well. I stopped and got some food. Pizza had arrived ... delicious!

Both sides of the aid station ... photos courtesy of Vickey Beaver of GRTC

We had moved our chairs and gear under Tom Butler's tent when it had started to rain. I was cold and huddled there along with Christine. I found a towel from one of Christine's bags to put over my bare legs. My fingertips were white with my Raynaud's syndrome. People I knew encouraged me to rest up and come back out. There were about 6 more hours left. But I was done. I got up and walked around. I was stiff and cold.

The finish line ... photo courtesy of Vickey Beaver of GRTC

So I told the race directory, Egils Robs, and we went to pick up our goodie bags. I got a sticker for my marathon effort. I drove slower than usual home. I was tired. Soon my feet were up and I drank my usual post race mugs of coffee.

The goodie bags, hoorag and mug ... photos courtesy of Vickey Beaver of GRTC

So ... what can I bring away from Mind the Ducks 2016? It was my first timed endurance event and I totally underestimated it. I had run 10 loops there about a month ago but at a fast half marathon pace of 8:30ish. My body let me down. I have never ever had to walk so far during a race. Maybe I tweaked my left foot on one of the ruts in the paved loop? I don't remember doing it but I could have I guess. Were my shoes to blame? Let's just say that I have a bad taste in my mouth just what I perceive as a failed attempt at a race. But then, all my other 372 races have been for a certain distance that I could set a pace for, run that pace (or something close), get to that distance and then stop. Twelve hours is 10 hours more than I have run in any race since I ran the Mendon Ponds 50K trail race back in November 2013. So I was totally unprepared for the 12 hour length.

I was very proud that my darling wife, Christine, walked 10 miles. That is her distance PR. Maybe next we can both do better.

Here are the official stats. My pace: 9:12, 9:00, 8:59, 8:59, 8:57, 10:32, 9:06, 9:28, 10:57, 9:39, 13:24, 10:41, 9:30, 11:46, 11:49, 9:55, 12:44, 14:31, 15:41, 15:16, 19:46, 21:30, 19:26, 18:16, 19:19, 19:30 and 10:14 over the last 0.21 mile. The results are here. I did tell Gil that I only completed 26 loops instead of 27 but I don't know when the final results will be posted.

Sunday, 5/1/2016 to Saturday, 5/7/2016

I ran 3 times this week, 26.65 miles.

Sunday, 5/1/2016 and Monday, 5/2/2016: Rest days ... uuuggghhh!

Sunday ... I read all the Facebook posts of people being awesome. Let's see: the New Jersey marathon, the Pittsburgh marathon, the Flying Pig marathon down in Cincinnati, the Mississauga maration up in Canada and the Sehgahunda Leg #3 preview down in Letchworth. Meanwhile ... I felt like a slug. I just couldn't get motivated. So ... I played tech geek on my laptops.

Monday ... I did manage to make it so that any external link in this blog opens in another tab by using Google, link here and choosing link here. A small victory.

Tuesday, 5/3/2016: 9.35 miles, 1:19:33, 8:28 pace, 55F, 54% RH, 6 mph NNE wind, overcast

Garmin Connect Activity for 2 loops of RTP

Mind over matter ... the mind won this time. It would have been so easy and lazy to blow off this run. I worked a bit late. Yes, I clocked out at 5 PM but I got up on some emails plus there was a printer that needed to be checked over due to a service error. I ended up just rebooting it ... and it was OK. So ... it was 5:30 PM. What to do? I had my running gear in the Equinox so I went out, got it, changed at RTP-B6, and ran. I didn't travel to Cobbs Hill, I didn't go home ... I just ran where I was. Boom. My splits were: 8:22, 8:28, 8:37, 8:19, 8:29, 8:29, 8:32, 8:33, 8:31 and 8:17 over the last 0.35 mile. I thought I ran around 8:10 or 8:15 but I guess I didn't.

Wednesday, 5/4/2016: Rest day ... boring.

Thursday, 5/5/2016: 6.25 miles, 50:38, 8:06 pace, 57F, 59% RH, 9 mph ENE wind, partly cloudy.

Garmin Connect Activity for A quick 10K

My darling wife, Christine, was out and about when I came home. She was picking up a pizza from Papa John's on her way home at 6:45 PM so I only had a limited time to run if I wanted hot pizza. So I went out hard on my 10K out and back route. My splits were: 8:20, 8:12, 8:07, 8:02, 7:58, 8:02 and 7:52 over the last 0.25 mile.

Friday, 5/6/2016: Rest day ... boring.

Saturday, 5/7/2016: 11.05 miles, 1:36:12, 8:42 pace, 57F, 72% RH, 10 mph S wind, sunny.


I wanted to run either a 15K or a half. So ... I compromised. I just happened to find a route that was 11 miles. I took it really nice and nice on a beautiful sunny morning. My splits were: 8:44, 8:30, 8:36, 8:48, 8:36, 8:36, 8:36, 9:07, 8:58, 8:43 and 8:31.

I thought about running Mind the Ducks next week. I have run all my 372 races for a distance. In other words run as fast as you can for a distance ... be it 5K, 10K, half marathon or marathon. This will be my first race for a time ... in this case 12 hours. How far can I run in 12 hours? I know I can run during the first few hours. I think a run/walk will involved in the last few hours.

Sunday, 4/24/2016 to Saturday, 4/30/2016 - Flower City Half

I ran 4 times this week, 44.72 miles

Sunday, 4/24/2016: 2 runs of 1.75 and 13.25 miles, 39F, 80% RH, calm, sunny

I had the alarm set for 5:15AM for my seventh Flower City Half. My times were: 1:46:43 in 2010, 1:40:11 in 2011, 1:39:23 in 2012, 1:44:44 in 2013, 1:47:12 in 2014 and 1:46:08 in 2015. My plan was to just run for fun not time. I am not as fast as I used to be so I had no dreams of a PR. I was still not 100% (maybe 95% with a tail wind) from a cold 2 weeks ago. I puttered a bit before I had a bagel for breakfast along with some juice. I programmed the coffee maker for 10:15AM. I kissed my darling wife, Christine, goodbye and headed out in the Cruze (with its lockable trunk) at 6:24AM for the short 16 minute drive down to the Blue Cross Arena. I got lucky and got a parking spot six parking slots down from the intersection of Exchange Blvd and W Broad St. I could see the BCA and hear Ellen Boutillier with her pre-race announcements. She sounded in fine form!

It was just above freezing so I wore the usual: CW-X tights (couldn't find my Brooks), Darn Tough socks, short sleeve tech (an old Flower City Half tech), Brooks 1/4 zip long sleeve pullover, Brooks beanie and heavy running gloves. I donned my sunglasses, tucked an Amphipod with 2 HammerGels on my waist and carried a 10 ounce water bottle. The conditions were excellent for a spring half marathon. Runners like it cool, calm and sunny!

I headed into the BCA to hit the head and stretch. I didn't see anyone I knew before the race just lots of nervous runners. Over 2000 were registered for the half at 7:30AM and over 1000 were registered for the 5K at 7:45AM. Then I got out for a really nice and easy 1.75 mile warmup run up and down Exchange Blvd at 8:45 pace, link here. I sipped some water from the Cruze and headed to the start on the E Broad St bridge with 8 minutes to go.

Getting water at the Cruze ... photo courtesy of GameFace

I had put on my Garmin Forerunner 220 and I struggled to get it synced with my work Samsung but couldn't. So I couldn't get a Live Update going and then ran out of time to get a RoadID eCrumb going before the race. And .... we were off! I had to carefully put my heavy running gloves on while I was starting to run. I certainly didn't want to drop them!


I tried not to go out too fast but also didn't want to get bottled up behind slower runners ... always a delicate balance between sprinting out and settling for a too slow beginning pace. I got ahead of the 1:45 pacer in the first 1/4 mile down W Broad St and settled into a nice and easy race pace. My aim to keep him behind me.

The start ... photo courtesy of GameFace

Looking down W Broad St at all the runners ... photo courtesy of Kim Smith of Fleet Feet Rochester

Here is what I remember from the race. I settled in behind a pair of ponytail runners ... a blonde and a brunette that were going my pace. I'm a guy ... I needed motivation and kept them in sight for the next 12 miles, lol! The Susan B Anthony neighborhood on Madison St at mile 1 was nice with its people in period costume and the "Failure Is Impossible" signs. Next we ran Frontier Field on Silver Stadium Way and the first water stop. I ran on by. Next came State St, Main St and East Ave. The 5K mat was on a short construction jog on Pitkins St at 24:25, 7:52 pace, 247th ... onward.

Somewhere on the course ... photo courtesy of Gameface

Somewhere else on the course ... photo courtesy of Gameface

Down East Ave until Argyle St and then back on Park Ave until S Goodman. I waved "Hi" to the Lonely Ones who were playing some tunes on Park Ave. John Muoio was playing the bass fiddle. Then a left onto S Goodman and over I-490. I took a cup of electrolyte at the water stop on the run with no coughing. I crossed the 10K mat in 48:52 (2nd 5K in 24:27), 7:53 pace, 248th. My plan now was to try to get the electrolyte cups from rest of the water stops and not take my HammerGels. I'm no rookie and knew I could do it ... I might be a bit hungry but I was pretty sure I wouldn't bonk. I could see the hill up into Highland Park ahead. There was good crowd support here. Lots of signs, some music and a few high (or low) fives from some kids were given (and taken). I endured the rolling hills of Highland Park, crossed South Ave and Mt Hope Ave, then into Mt Hope Cemetery. I walked for a hundred feet just after the run up the cobblestone hill to catch my breath.

Runners in Mt Hope Cemetery ... photo courtesy of Barb Boutillier of Fleet Feet Rochester

I knew that I would be in the cemetery for the next two miles ... it was a bit hilly at first. I crossed the 15K mat in 1:14:05 (3rd 5K in 25:13), 8:08 pace, 239th. Out of the cemetery and the 10 mile marker ... only 5K to go! I knew I was slowing but I soldiered onward. The stretch up the east side of the Genesee River on the Genesee Riverway Trail with the U of R on the right was always a bad stretch for me in previous years ... but this year I did better and picked up a bit of speed. Mile 11, then mile 12 just before the Ford St bridge, curl around and then up onto the bridge ... less than a mile to go!

Running coming down Exchange Blvd towards the finish ... photo courtesy of Kim Smith of Fleet Feet Rochester

Coming down Exchange Blvd ... photo courtesy of Gameface

The usual grimace with the finish line in sight ... photo courtesy of Kim Smith of Fleet Feet Rochester

In the finish chute ... photo courtesy of Gameface

Onto Exchange Blvd ... homestretch ... 20k marker ... pick it a bit ... the Freddie-Sue bridge and I-490 in sight ... the finish bubble arch in sight ... sprint ... the finish line in sight ... 1:43 on the clock ... Ellen calling my name ... done ... medal around my neck ... a concerned look by a paramedic ... water ... feeling better ... coughing ... a pint bottle offered by another paramedic. Done!

A post race selfie with the medals ... which didn't make it into the frame.

Flower City Half swag

I headed into the BCA for my Four Season Challenge medal and some food. I was famished. I had a half of a bagel, banana and a slice of pizza. I eased down to sit on the arena floor ... I hoped that I would be able to get back up ... I did! I felt better.

I soon was headed home with my seventh Flower City Half under my belt. I did OK. I finished in 1:43:33, 229th out of 2111, link here. I was 9th out of 77 in my M55-59 age group, link here. My splits were: 7:46, 7:47, 7:53, 7:38, 7:46, 7:50, 8:08, 8:04, 7:35, 7:50, 7:59, 7:39 and 7:20 over the last 0.25 mile. Miles 7 and 8 just over 8:00 pace were in Highland Park and just into the hills of Mt Hope Cemetery. I also learned that 1011 finished the Wegmans 5K, link here.

My usual mugs of coffee with my feet up went down well after I got home. I thought I ran well. I might be getting the hang of this running thing. The rest of the day was just a maze of relaxing and hobbling around trying not to get too stiff. I did read on Facebook that the temperature at the start of the Winter Warrior Half on 1/9/16 was warmer than the Flower City Half (48F with wind chill of 43F on 1/9/16 versus today's 39F).

Update: I spent the next two days reading Facebook about people's stories. They were moving as usual. Here are some: one 12 year old Monroe Miler accidentally ran the half instead of the 5K, link here (her mother was more than a bit worried but race officials and police did find her with a few miles to go) and lots of runners ran their first 5K or half. Ellen Brenner had some thoughts, link here. Darth Vader racing in a gas mask carrying the US flag. Me ... I have been running 11 years with 379 races (23 half marathons) under my belt. I race because I love it. I love to compete and try to keep old age in the rear view mirror and not in front of me. I would like to thank Ellen and Boots (link here), Fleet Feet Rochester, Yellow Jacket Racing, Rochester Police Department and all the volunteers for a fabulous race. My life would be very null without running ... and probably 30 pounds overweight!

Monday, 4/25/2016: Rest day ... totally needed!

Tuesday, 4/26/2016: 8.22 miles, 1:10:45, 8:37 pace, 41F, 75% RH, 5 mph N wind, wind chill 38F, overcast.

Garmin Connect Activity for A really nice and easy recover run

I want to get to 100 mile for this month and only have a bit over 70 miles. So ... out I went. Trust me ... the first 1/4 mile and the last mile hurt even at a nice and easy. I was really glad that I chose my 8.2 mile route. My splits were: 8:55, 8:53, 8:41, 8:45, 8:31, 8:24, 8:10, 8:31 and 8:27 over the last 0.22 mile.

My darling wife, Christine, surprised me with a steak dinner after my run ... yummy! She was quite happy that she had found her mother of the bride dress along with the necessary jewelry and heels for her daughters' wedding in August.

Wednesday, 4/27/2016: Usual rest day.

Thursday, 4/28/2016: 8.25 miles, 1:09:45, 8:27 pace, 45F, 33% RH, 13 mph NE wind, wind chill 38F, overcast.

Garmin Connect Activity for A nice and easy run on Edgemere

I want to get to 100 miles for the month so I got out there. My splits were: 8:49, 8:30, 8:22, 8:20, 8:28, 8:30, 8:20, 8:24 and 8:08 over the last 0.25 mile. Not bad ... got it done.

Friday, 4/29/2016: Usual rest day.

Saturday, 4/30/2016: 13.25 miles, 1:51:44, 8:26 pace, 46F, 66% RH, 5 mph NNE wind, wind chill 44F, sunny.

Garmin Connect Activity for A nice and easy half

Well ... I had 87.39 miles when I woke up. What to do about it? Well ... go out and run. So ... I did. It was like pulling teeth but I got it done. It helped that it was sunny out. My splits were: 8:24, 8:14, 8:13, 8:19, 8:17, 8:16, 8:24, 8:35, 8:38, 8:20, 8:22, 8:46, 8:52 and 8:16 over the last 0.25 mile.

My stats so far ... I ran 13 times in 30 days during the month of April for 100.64 miles (but it's over 100 miles), 7.74 miles/run. I ran 4 races: the Syracuse Half, Mess the Dress, the River Run 5K and the Flower City Half. I have run 65 times for 460 miles,  7.08 miles/run, along with 11 races.