Hard, cold week

Had three runs this week. This morning, 4 laps of Eastlake soccer fields/driving range in 27:55, actually a total of 32 minutes with Luke run a little later. 18 degrees with w-nw wind of 15-25 mph.

Thursday, before conferences, 26-minute run. I went to the park in C.J. and ran three big loops and back.

Last Tuesday, Columbus City loop in 26-something and that was hard. It was a day after I gave blood, so I think that affected me.

40 miles.

32 minutes on track and fields

32 minutes on the track and the fields around the track. At the end, I did a lap in 2:16 on the track (9:04 pace). Pace doesn't matter. Running matters. Then did some jogging at eastlake with Luke. And I ate reasonably today. I felt a good rhythm, and that's what I am going for.

31 miles.

Another bike loop, then dog run

Last night, I did the same route -- on the bike path around the school -- 24:35. Then I took the dog up the hill to the shelter and back, 35 minutes. It was very blustery and with the hills it is hard to get into a good rhythm.

Probably 3.5 miles. The focus is not on speed, it's on consistency, and logging time running. STeady pace.

Total miles -- 27.5

Getting in shape again

It's amazing but it happens every year. I start running again, usually after an injury, it is frustrating at first, but then it starts to feel better. I am to that point now where, running every other day, it is starting to feel better.

Tonight was great. I did the entire bike path loop (2.5 miles), then took Luke up to the pavilion by the pond and back. The entire run was 33 minutes on a great night -- it was probably 50 degrees on January 31 at 6 p.m.

Sunday was harder. It was the afternoon, and I had had a full weekend of family and too much eating and I was very tired. I ran 26 minutes, off and on, in the park.

Total -- 24 miles

Snowy run

After school yesterday, when I was very tired, I went up Linden Drive, across the interstate, and did a park loop twice. It was about 3.2 miles, and on the way back, the snow was flying and wind was blowing. It was a bit brutal, but another good step.

Today was great. I put the dog in the car and drove up to Eastlake and jogged around with him on the grass fields. Very nice ... he likes that better and he got some good exercise, as did I.

Total miles -- 17.9

First Loop since comeback

Tonight I took on my toughest challenge of my comeback: Columbus City Loop. I ran it in 26:20, which is not fast, but the point is I made it. It's 9:17 pace. I feel good having conquered it.

total 14.5

Feeling better

The last two runs, Saturday and Monday, I have made it 30 and 27 minutes, respectively. I'm feeling a pretty good tempo when I run. It's been cold, but I keep telling myself this is going to pay off.

I want to be a coach who runs, and can make a tough workout with his team. I think this gives me a better feel for what they might be going through and generally earns credibility with the kids.

Total miles -- 11.5