Sunday, 10/23/2016: 11.6 miles, 2:08:49, 11:06 pace, 45F, 76% RH, 9 mph WNW wind, wind chill 40F, partly cloudy
Yes, I set my alarm for 5 AM and was out the door by 5:50AM. I had told Prem Kumar that I would run 2 loops of the Blue and Green trails down at Mendon Ponds Park, map here. He had to get done by 9 AM so we arranged to meet at the Beach parking lot at 6:30 AM. Yes, it was cold. So I dressed in my old CW-X tights, Brooks 1/4 zip pullover, Brooks jacket and heavy running gloves. Yes, it was dark. So I had my headlamp charged and on my head over my Brooks beanie. Anyway, I got down there at 6:20 AM and Prem was there about 30 seconds later. We didn't talk too much but got straight to the run.
It was dark even with headlamps so we took it really nice and easy for most of the first loop. The trail that we both knew well looked a bit different in the dark so we both had a bit of trouble figured out which way to go on the Blue trail at first. Once we got to the Green trail we were in the groove. It was still tough picking out and avoiding any roots or rocks but we managed. We spooked a lot of deer. It got lighter out so the lighting improved a bit. We saw one other runner with a headlamp that was running in the other direction. The sunrise was pretty. I got done with the first loop in 1:08. Prem was about 90 seconds behind me. He mentioned that he was hurting a bit and that I should go on ahead.
So I struck up a slightly faster pace since I could see a bit better. Soon more runners and walkers were on the trail. One runner who knew me passed me at a good clip. I saw Bambi Jasmin with two other women running the other way. Soon enough I was done. Prem had cut a couple of miles off the second loop and was waiting for me to finish. Which was quite nice of him. He said he wasn't in trail shape. He certainly is in marathon shape with a recent 3:19 in Chicago. He said "Bye" and went home.
My first run on trail in a bit over a month turned out OK. My splits were: 11:36, 11:38, 11:42, 11:09, 11:22, 12:44, 9:31, 10:45, 11:02, 10:28, 10:31 and 10:36 over the last 0.6 mile. I can see that I did run a faster pace on the second loop. It does help to see where one is going!
I stopped by Wegmans on Hudson Ave on the way home to get two donuts. Soon I was upstairs with my darling wife, Christine, each of us with a mug of coffee and a donut.
Later we watched the Bills - Dolphins game. The Bills did take a 17-6 lead but their run defense forgot to make the trip. A Miami runner named Ajayi ran for 214 yards and they ended up losing 25-28, link here. Their schedule has fallen to 4-3 and they get to play the New England Patriots at home next week. The Pats will be pissed since their only loss was one without their QB ... some shoo-in HOFer named Brady.
Monday, 10/24/2016: Rest day ... naturally.
Meanwhile ... Pete Kostelnick ran across America from the city hall steps of San Francisco to the city hall steps of New York City, a distance of 3067 miles in the record breaking time of 42 days, 6 hours and 30 minutes. There are numerous links here, here, here, here and here.
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| Pete Kostelnick and his wife, Nikki, at NYC City Hall ... photo by Kit Fox courtesy of Runner's World |
Wednesday, 10/26/2016: 8.05 miles, 1:08:26, 8:30 pace, 39F, 60% RH, 7 mph NE wind, wind chill 34F, overcast.
I needed to get out and run so I did. I went home, dressed and got out for a nice and easy 8 miles on the LSOP, Island Cottage and Edgemere out and back. Boom. My splits were: 8:38, 8:25, 8:25, 8:19, 8:21, 8:33, 8:45 and 8:36.
I signed up for the Mendon Ponds Trail Run 50K on the day before the rates increased. Over 100 runners are signed up for this distance according to signup site at ultrasignup.com.
Thursday, 10/27/2016: 6.5 miles, 54:58, 8:27 pace, 48F, 81% RH, 12 mph S wind, wind chill 43F, overcast.
I kept to my "I run on Thursday" schedule. I had my running gear in the Equinox, changed at Rochester Tech Park and ran there before it could get dark. Boom. My splits were: 8:39, 8:31, 8:31, 8:18, 8:36, 8:14 and 8:03 over the last 0.5 mile.
Some may call me obsessed, some may call me dedicated, some may call me crazy, some may want me to buy running shoes more often since my two pair of road shoes have over 640 miles. I do what I do. I like to run so I run. I like to race so I race. I looked at my running spreadsheet and I have run over 1240 miles this year or 2000K. I have run just over 12000 miles since I started that spreadsheet way back on 9/14/2008. Wow.
Friday, 10/28/2016: Rest day ...
Saturday, 10/29/2016: 13.1 miles, 2:17;52, 10:31 pace, 54F, 62% RH, 13 mph SW wind, overcast.
I had the idea of doing another trail run down at Mendon Ponds Park so I woke up at 6 AM, I checked the temperature and it was 43F and windy. So ... it dressed for the weather: my old CW-X tights and Brooks heavy 1/4 zip long sleeve pullover. I noticed on the way down that the temperature was 55F! I was pretty sure that I didn't have any shorts in my running bar ... but I didn't turn back. I should have changed into a regular long sleeve tech ... but I didn't. I told myself that it was windy, I took a swig of water and headed up the hill. I just carried my 20 ounce water bottle and my Hammer Gel flask filled to the brim with Hammer Gel. I stashed a jug of water just off the trail so I could get to it when I came off one loop and started anther loop.
I set up a nice and easy trail pace and started out. My plan was 3 loops of the Blue and Green trails. My tights and heavy long sleeve tech made me a bit warm but no unbearably. The wind helped to keep me cool. I started my usual hydration and nutrition: water every 2 miles and Hammer Gel every 4 miles. I just ran along. I thought about doing another complete loop after loop 2 but I cut it short after another Blue loop. I knew it was going to do 5 loops during the Mendon Ponds Trail Race 50K next week so there was no need. I have done this race in various distances more than a few times. My splits were: 10:45, 10:17, 10:43, 9:44, 10:34, 11:25, 10:03, 10:56, 11:30, 10:16, 10:43, 9:51, 10:09 and 9:19 over the last 0.1 mile.
Soon enough I was home with my feet up drinking my usual mug of coffee and having a bagel. This has been a heavy running week so I should try to taper a bit this week.
Later I took my darling wife, Christine, to New Nails. She hadn't gone in about 5 weeks so ... she needed a new set of french tip nails. They sure do look and feel nice! ;-)
