Ups and Downs

"Ask yourself, 'can I give more?' The answer is usually 'Yes.'" Paul Tergat, legendary Kenyan distance runner

Yesterday on the group run, we ran across the 14^th Street Bridge, down the Mt. Vernon Trail, then back over Memorial. I’m still one of the people trailing the group, but I averaged an 8:54 pace for 4.58 miles. I think that’s plenty fast for a training run, at least for now. Just do another 24 of those and I’ve got my sub 4:00 marathon.

The route for Monday

This morning’s run was a near failure. Because of my bookselling project I couldn’t run to work (not worth explaining), so I decided to do a track workout. I was thinking 4 sets of 800s. Half way through the first 800, I decided that I would do 8 sets of 400s. Near the end of the 3^rd 400m, I told myself, that maybe I would just do 4 sets of 400s. Then 200m into the 4^th 400, I stopped. Could I have given more? Yes. Why didn’t I? I have no idea. It was disappointing. My 400 splits for the set completed were fine, 1:51, 1:55, 1:51. I took a little diversion on the way home, so I could feel somewhat better by adding distance. Though, the whole workout being just shy of 2.5 mi, I don’t think “distance” is the right word.

I think that might have finally given me the kick in the ass I need to start paying attention to diet. Tonight a friend is coming over. I’m planning on making pistachio crusted chicken and barley risotto, and serving it with lima beans.

What's up with the bold that won't go away?

Run Report : April 9, 2007

I met up with Capital Striders for the second Monday in a row. Shelly and Kevin joined. It was nice to have familiar faces. Hopefully they’ll come out again.

I jogged from my office to the meeting place on the Mall. Perhaps because my backpack was heavy, or maybe because of the Old Rag hike, I started to feel shin splints in my left leg. I did a couple of stretches before the group run, but they flared up almost right away. By about 1.25 mi into the run, my left shin was on fire – I haven’t really been feeling it in my right leg. Around 3 mi, the shin splints were feeling better.

The regulars run faster than my easy pace, so I’m pushing myself to keep up with the pack. I think it’s good motivation though. I’m looking to work on speed, so here’s my weekly speed run. Right now a 9:00 min pace it’s a stretch, but I know that I’ve been capable of 8:00 within the past 6 mo. I think within a month I’ll be able to keep up for the most part.

The run was only 3.5 miles and took just over 30 minutes. When we were moving, our pace was probably 9:30 or faster, but we were stopped in several places because of street lights, so we averaged 9:45/min over the full distance. With the jog from the office, I did about 4.25 mi total. My Garmin 305 never caught a satellite signal, in part because I didn’t start it when we were hanging out before the group run. But it’s time to send it back. That top button on the right has never worked.

Afterwards the group went to Hawk n Dove. We spent more time eating and drinking than running, but I don’t mind. These are some pretty nice people to hang out with. They’re quite welcoming and it’s nice to have some people to chat with about running. The whole experience definitely turned my day around.