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.