Turkey Burner

Everyone except my sister (who had to work) piled into the car this morning and rode out to "downtown" West Chester for the Turkey Burner 5k. We looked around for the registration area but couldn't find it and got the sense that this was going to be a fairly low key race. No porta-potties or water stations or spectators, just a start and a finish and a few boxes of oversized tees. Not that this was a bad thing, in fact it was somewhat refreshing.

I got in a short warmup, walked over to the start with the rest of my family, and as typically happens the race commenced before I realized it. I gunned it from the get-go and thought about a strategy. I think my only goal was not to have a concrete goal.

There was a handful of younger runners (turns out the race was organized as part of a high school senior project), many of whom were quite fast. A couple in particular gave the vibes of local track stars. They shot off the front and I latched onto a group who stringed out behind them them. Not sure about mile splits, but the first mile sure felt fast.

I struggled to hang onto the initial pace and it became a game of back and forth with the two or three within reach. In an unexciting next couple miles I finally reached the finish in 18:52, throwing in a solid surge over the last 100 meters. It's a 2-second PR for the 5k distance which is pretty cool because, like the 10k from a few weeks ago, I haven't put in any specific training. While one thing I've enjoyed about my running lately is the absence of a plan, it was also what made today's race difficult. The mental component is very strong, more so in shorter races like this. I think if I had stronger mental focus (such as prompted by a clear goal) I could push myself through the tougher paces a little better. I've been itching to schedule some workouts but it's really a function of what my goals will be.

Happy Thanksgiving

It's been kind of an interesting week so far. After Sunday's longer run I took it easy on Monday with a 4-miler on the treadmill, 34 minutes. Followed it up with some strength and balance exercises.

Totally tweaked my neck at the rock gym that same evening. A strained reach, an audible pop, and all of the sudden my neck and upper back seizes up. I've awoken in the past with a stiff neck, but it's never quite happened acutely like this before and I was really worried I'd seriously injured myself. After a few days it's feeling much better.

Tuesday I took the CCT route to work and enjoyed a different perspective as most of the leaves have fallen by now. The numerous deer that frequent this area are now much more vulnerable to my gaze. My 5-mile time trial (portion between C&O Canal Trail interchange and Bethesda) ticked by in about 15:20, about 15 seconds off my PB for that stretch. Not bad for not having ridden seriously in almost two months.

Yesterday I took a jaunt around my parents' house as Maia and I are here visiting for a few days. I always romanticize about running when I visit here, envisioning lush forests and car-less back roads and open pastures. Turned out to be somewhat less enjoyable. Maybe it was the longer run on Sunday, perhaps it's just my body sensing a break from the rush. Just felt kind of off in way I can't quite pinpoint. Some stiffness in my left foot and lower leg, a few hills tougher than I thought they should've been, and a few wrong turns all combined to dampen my spirits a little. Days like this just happen every now and again and I'm not reading into it too far. 7.2 miles, 55:34.

Today just an easy 4 miles on the treadmill (34:16). Been spending some time stretching and doing various PT exercises for my lower legs and today felt particularly therapeutic (in a good way). The hot tub in my parents' back yard has also been a great way to loosen up and relax a bit.

In somewhat of a surprising turn of events both my parents, Maia, and my sister have all made plans to join me at the start for tomorrow's Turkey Burner 5k. Now we're all not sure about it because of poor weather in the forecast but it would be a family record if we all started. I won't run it if they all decide not to but I'm in if they are. Happy Thanksgiving.

That Elusive Place

Had plans to run with some company this morning. Amanda, one I befriended in Philly who now calls Madison, WI her home, is in town on an extended work gig. Madison is my birth city and we've always related over this.

The idea was to meet her at her hotel near Logan Circle and run around the mall for up to 5 miles. From my apartment it was a relaxed 2 miles, mostly downhill. We continued down 14th St to the mall and did a loop around the Washington Monument before heading back uphill. Amanda cut this middle loop short due to some asthma (I can't imagine how tough it must be to run with an affliction that makes you short of breath) and I got back to Logan Circle in an additional 3.4 miles. Said bye to Mandy and headed back north. It was great to have someone to talk to, however brief it was.

I decided to head over to Georgetown via P St as I knew there was a connection to Rock Creek Trail there somewhere. I couldn't find it right away and wound up doubling back a bit, but I eventually found it and dropped down onto some softer surfaces (it had been sidewalks up to this point).

Most of the stretch along Rock Creek I'm feeling a little self conscious about what would end up to be about a 20 minute addition to the longest run I've completed in the past year. It's also two miles added to last week's run. My legs were feeling tired, but for the most part I felt pretty solid through the final miles. It's another threshold I've crossed, inching closer and closer to where I want to be. It's a vague place, very elusive, but I'll know when I get there. And keep my fingers crossed that something doesn't break along the way. 11 miles, 1:26:29.

Bum Knee

Been a few days since I checked in here and I blame it on work. The good news is that a major deadline is out of the way and things should stabilize through the holidays. I didn't run Monday or Tuesday as a result of some long hours and pressing commitments.

I picked things back up on Wednesday as I began to sense the end of the long haul that's been the past couple months. Wednesday was 4.9 in 37:08 along the CCT, Thursday was 5.8 in 41:45. Yesterday I stayed home from work and fit in a Mathewson loop between naps. 5.5, 41:03.

The most exciting news of the weekend thus far was a bike crash Friday early evening. I was headed up 11th St with Maia, not paying enough attention to the busy intersection at U St, and totally crushed a pedestrian trying to jet across on a yellow light. It happened in a flash, and all I remember is flipping over the bars. The ground impact is a blur, but somehow I now have a banged up knee. It felt OK for the rest of the night, however a stiffness slowly crept in as the hours passed by.

This morning it feels pretty crappy for sure, but not quite bad enough to ditch my plans for a run. I headed down Park Rd with a noticeable swagger that loosened as the minutes passed. In a gameday decision I turned north on Rock Creek instead of south and opted for another Mathewson loop. I see this becoming a staple in my routine. It's long enough to be worth the trip to the park and has multiple options for extensions when I get to that point.

In the spirit of keeping score, I timed the section between Beach Dr and 17th St. This stretch is a little more than 3/4 miles in length (1474 yards to be unnecessarily precise) and includes the famed Mathewson hill. On average the stretch is probably 3-4% grade but Mathewson is 8-10% at least. Today I covered it in 6:38 without pushing it, just under 8 min pace. Not all that bad for having a gimp knee.

Total for the day was 5.5 in 42:03. All this adds up to just over 30 for the week. Not much different than last week although the rest on Monday and Tuesday seemed to make a difference in how I've felt up to today.

Time for a Rest

CCT out-and-back to Silver Spring. Crossed the 1-hr barrier today. Took about a mile for me to warm up, but after that things were smooth until about 56 minutes when things got stiff and slow. I've been having a few phantom twinges in my left foot reminiscent of those back in 2008 when I got a stress fracture. It's true that ever since that injury my foot hasn't felt quite right but I'm really not interested in revisiting that experience. It's about time I had an easy week and this gives me ample impetus.

Had a good cry out there today. Hadestown (everyone needs to listen to this album) playing on my iPod, the beautiful fall colors, the warm sunshine, work strife weighing on my mind. All of the sudden I'm overcome with emotion and I'm sobbing. What a relief. 9 miles, 1:04:33.

I came across a woman with a young child who had apparently fainted while riding down the trail. I stopped and asked if she needed help and encouraged her to call an ambulance but the woman seemed hesitant. Not sure what that was about but there's always a risk in being overly assertive in situations like this where it's not exactly clear what has happened. The young girl looked pallid, she seemed a little despondent, and I really just wanted to grab the woman's phone and dial 911 myself but I allowed her to somehow convince me that she had things under control. I jogged off feeling helpless but assured that there were other people around and when I returned down the trail they had left. I suppose there's a thousand different scenarios for what really could have been going on but I do know that sudden collapse like that is usually pretty serious. Hope she's OK.

Mathewson Loop

After a decent night sleep I more or less danced out of bed this morning and hopped into my running sneakers. Jogged easily around my neighborhood, into the park for a stretch, and up and down some hills. I'm calling this the Mathewson loop because of the hill along the road by the same name. I hit this hill each day on my bike commute back from Bethesda and it was my first time running it today.

I lost some enthusiam around the 30 min mark when the weight of the past working week (and yesterday's strength routine) began to manifest itself. I did stick it out for the full 5.7 miles, 44:11. That puts me at just over 31 miles for the week in 6 runs, and I'm struck by the realization that it's now been over a full month of consistent running. Fingers crossed that I keep it up. I'm feeling great, all things considered.

I saw the Punch Brothers last night at the Strathmore. Man those boys are tight.

Slow Friday

It's Friday. I'm relieved. An easy jog down the CCT this morning. It must have been in the 30s out there this morning as the golf course along the trail was all white with frost. I had shorts and a tee but didn't feel all that cold. Somewhat refreshing, to the contrary. Legs felt somewhat slow and heavy. I'm up to five runs and over 25 miles so far for the week. I have hesitations about a run tomorrow but am leaving myself the option should I feel chipper.

Followed up today's run with some strength work at the gym. 4.5 miles, 34:35.

Imagining Paris

Woke up this morning and felt pretty lousy. Had a slog of a ride into Bethesda that lowered my expectations for my planned run to follow. Left myself the option of calling it off if I didn't feel better within the first 5 min. Not really sore in any way, just low energy. I would expect that with the extra hour given to us on Sunday that I'd have an easier time waking up. This hasn't been the case at all.

To my surprise, however, I felt almost immediately better after taking off on foot from my office. So I followed through with the plan, which was 7.1 miles along the CCT. I love this trail. It has a unique beauty that's augmented by whatever seasonal changes are taking place. Today I was struck by the sunlight melting the morning mist against a backdrop of orange and yellow foliage. I thought of Paris for some reason, though I've only ever been there in the winter. Thought I'd conservatively shoot for 56 minutes but I ended up finishing just shy of 53 with no real effort. Not a bad morning all things considered.

Creature of Habit

I've been pondering this renewed habit of mine. Tossing questions around on the run, such as what compels me to be out here in the cold darkness, many times against my more natural inclinations. The line between habit and addiction seems in fact quite thin. There is a strong tendency to associate running with general health, but it's my experience that there are plenty of runners out there who are not prime models of well being. Between overeating and compulsive exercise, a parallel can almost be drawn between such a lifestyle and say, that of an alcoholic or chronic gambler. I even knew of an ultra-runner who would have three or four cigarettes on a 100-mile run to calm his nerves. That's delusional, but then addicts often are.

Speaking of habits, it seems I'm falling behind in my updates. Time is at a premium for me lately, and it's unfortunate that this just seems to be one of those things that gets squeezed out of my schedule. I've been consistent with the running though.

Sunday I took a relaxed jog around the neigborhood with Maia. I extended the loop after Maia finished, giving me 4.6 miles in 45:30. Followed up with some strength exercises.

Yesterday it was an easy treadmill run after riding into Bethesda. 3.6 miles, 30:44.

This morning I thought I'd revisit a route I traced last week. I tweaked it a little, adding some distance and avoiding some busier streets. It's a nice loop, and I'm glad to add it to my collection. 5.8 miles, 43:40. Again followed up with 15 min of light strength at the gym.

2010 Jug Bay 10k

I'd decided it would be a gametime decision. At 8:55 AM this morning, after a short warmup jog, things felt good. I'd really wanted to test my limits. I would fulfill this desire.

We line up at the start and can't really hear anything the announcer is saying. All of the sudden the gun fires. Somewhat suddenly, we're off. I see my friend and colleague Rob (a seasoned marathoner fresh off a BQ) in 5th place out of the chute. He's escaping me, but I focus on slowly reeling him in over the first mile.

Mile 1, 6:08. That was a fast first mile, I comment to Rob. Yep, but not as fast as them, he points to the leaders. There's no hope of catching them.

Mile 2 feels good and I'm contemplating my strategy for the remainder of the race. Miles 3, 4, and 5 will be tough, I think. I'd better budget my effort. I'm (we're) slowing down now, 6:29.

We cross a couple hills, slowing down further. Rob is slipping away. I'm starting to struggle. I focus on breathing. Mile 3, 6:40.

Alright, what am I doing out here, I think. Will I have to throw in the towel? No, I'll just slow a bit. More hills. Rob slips further away. Mile 4, 6:50.

I hear footsteps behind me. I'm about to be passed. Somewhat to my surprise, I accelerate on a slight dip in the road and I don't think the heel biter can hang. I'm catching up with Rob. Mile 5, 6:45.

I'm over the hump. I'm feeling pretty miserable, but I know the end's in sight. I'm now back within a few steps of Rob. I can't wait til this is over, I tell him. Go for it, he says. I pick it up slightly and pass him. Mile 6, 6:25.

The last .2 is a blur. I cross the line in 40:34 according to my watch, although I may have waited a few seconds to stop my watch in my breathlessness. I got my first age group award (2nd M 20-29) and finished 5th overall. Plus it's a 60 second PR on my 10k time to date. Pretty good day, I'd say. Considering I haven't really put in any serious running for the past two years, I'm pretty stoked.

Total for today was 7.5 in about 50:00. Puts me at 26 (?) for the week. A good end to a tough week.

Mixed Feelings

3.5 miles on a treadmill before some bouldering this evening. 29:18, slow, easy effort. Took the day off yesterday but wouldn't have had time even if I'd tried. I have mixed feelings about the 10k I'm running on Saturday. Don't want to overdo it, but I think it'll be a game day decision.

First Frost

It's been an exhausting few weeks at work and it's been all I can do to check in here every few days. I've had lots on my mind and unfortunately not enough time to spell it out. Looks like things won't clear up until around Thanksgiving, and possibly through December. If nervous energy translated to physical strength, I'd be jogging here to Vancouver and back every day.

Not that I think exercise doesn't provide stress relief. It's just that if you burn the candle at both ends sooner or later you're all wick and no flame.

This being said, things are going relatively well. Saturday was a 20-mile ride along the northern crescent loop after meddling around with the Rally to Restore Sanity business. I haven't been riding a whole lot and it showed in that my biking legs were in full form, bringing me round the loop in about 1:03.

Sunday was another work day in Bethesda and I ran the CCT as has been the custom for the past few weeks. This was the first time in recent past that I really felt myself having to hang on to an effort, and I think this is more about establishing boundaries than getting a good workout. Just over 8 miles, 56:38. I'm approaching the 1-hr mark, a benchmark of sorts that I easily would have hit had I slowed down a little. Good run, left me pretty tuckered.

Monday I attempted to run before work but I got merely a few steps before turning right back around. I hadn't slept very well, it was very early, and I felt a little nauseous. Reserved the right to redeem myself later, which I did on the treadmill during a break from a LONG work day. 3.5 miles, 30:14. Felt much better afterward.

This morning I saw frost on a few windshields on my bike into Bethesda. I opted for shorts and a tee and my arms got a little numb during my run along the CCT. Anais Mitchell's Hadestown provided an excellent soundtrack for the mostly moonlit run. 4.5 miles, 36:20. Ended up in front of the gym for a bit of core work. Now another long day and hopefully I can get some sleep tonight.