35 minutes

Today, in beautiful, 70-degree, no-wind conditions, I ran 35 minutes -- on my third run since returning from my injury. It felt surprisingly good. I theorize that I was in such good shape during my long stretch of running that it hasn't taken me as long to get into shape. My pace was steady, and I ran the last mile -- the Linden Drive mile -- in 8:42. This as a 3.5-4-mile run. So this was very hopeful.

Miles on shoes -- 183.5

3 miles

I ran today on the bike path around the high school, then up the Linden Drive hill and back home. It was a nice run for my second run since coming off my injury. I ran steady and felt betterthan I felt the other night. I just sort of eased into the hilly spots and tried to keep it steady. I'm very happy with this run. 28 minutes.

Miles on shoes -- 180

New start

Today I ran for the first time, actually the second time, pain free in about 5 weeks. I hurt my left foot neiar the Achilles tendon in late February and it's been too painful to run. I tried once in march and aggravated it, so I decided to wait until it was completely pain-free.

So needless to say, I am in terrible shape. but it was good just to get out there. I went25 minutes on the Eastlake soccer fields -- a beautiful, 70-some degree day, yet windy.

I ate terrible the last 5 weeks, also, and need to get it back together. I'm motivated to do it.

Miles on shoes -- 177

Winter continues

Tonight was a very good run. I broke it in two segments, planning to just spend some time running aerobic pace. Just staying at that pace. But I want to push the pace if my body allows -- I am just getting back those competitive juices, and they are pushing me.

It was 21 degrees outside with a W-NW wind of 20 mph. So I didn't spend too much time outside. I ran four blocks around Wesleyan -- 5:30-5:18-5:00-4:57. It felt a little better all the time. So about 20:30 outside, then I went inside.

I met up with John, who was running 3 x 2 miles with 5ish minutes rest. I ran with him, laps ranging from 43-46 -- in other words, 8:36-9:12 pace. I ran 2.5 miles inside and probably 2.3 outside, for 4.8 miles in 42:50 -- about 8:50 pace. If I'm even able to run a minute faster per mile faster than that at Drake, I'll be at 38:55. I want to be at 37 minutes or below. Actually, I love the idea of 36 minutes. That would put me in the top 10.

I'm having no issues, except my blister is just a little tender -- not broken open, but tender.

Sunday, I ran 30 minutes on the treadmill -- really picking up the pace for a long spell. It felt pretty good.

Miles on shoes -- 173

Nice but painful run

Tonight I ran the 2.5-mile bike trail twice as the sleet started to fall on me. The first lap was in 22:35, and the second in 22:05 for 44:40 total. 8:56 a mile, but I think it was probably faster than that at times. Especially on the way back -- I felt so free and easy. Until about a half-mile remained, on Linden Drive, and the blister started hurting. It is still healing, but the pounding on it caused it to bleed a bit. It's sore tonight. I probably should stay off it running until it feels like it's growing some more skin.

Total miles on shoes -- 165

Good tempo run at Wesleyan

Monday, I ran on the treadmill -- 30 minutes, pretty steady. What is better is that it was the day after my long run and I felt pretty good. Tired, but good.

Tonight, I ran a tempo run at Wesleyan. I warmed up with a 10-minute run (45 seconds a lap, or about 9:00 pace). Then I came back and ran about a mile and a half (about 11 minutes) in tempo pace. That was about 38 or 39 seconds a lap, or about 7:35 to 7:50 pace per mile. I felt really good, in control. I got tired toward the end and I eased up.

Then I cooled down about 5 minutes, talked to John and Mike, who were also running at the track. So I didn't quite get enough of a cooldown, and I got home and ran about 7 minutes up and down Linden Drive.

About 35 minutes, 3.8 miles.


Miles on shoes -- 160

1-hour run

1:00:45 run -- 6.5 miles -- in snowy and 28-degree weather. This is my longest run yet and one I needed to build up to running a 5-mile race in 10 weeks. I just need to continue to build on this. I got a slight blister from my socks being wet from sweat and snow. But I'll keep it clean and run easily tomorrow. Then Tuesday a day off, then Thursday, 4 miles with a little tempo built in there, Friday 3 miles or so, Sunday, 5 miles.

153.5 miles on shoes.