A lot happened in 2 Days

Tuesday I ran only 4 miles because I had my orientation at Target and I didn't know what to expect and I'm not usually out after 10 PM during the week. I felt fine and all my team members were in their 20's and very nice. I think I will like working at Target; I only wish I was making a little more money.

At lunchtime yesterday I picked up my daughter Tiffany and went to Fleet Feet in West Hartford to see and talk to Dean Karnazes. He is an amazing guy and a very genuine person. I really like him and he was warm and personable in his brief talk. They gave us pizza from Luna pizza, http://lunapizzact.com/ fresh tomato and a wonderful pizza. He signed his book for me ,50 marathons in 50 days in 50 states, and Tiffany took our picture. A most memorable lunchtime. He has inspired me to do even better than I have in the past.

Today I ran 10.2 miles in 1:24:00, 7.2 mph and 225.6 miles for the month; my longest monthly total this year.

Tapering, Tapering

Yesterday I ran 7 miles in 59:42 and today I ran 8 miles in 1:05:00. I will take it real easy tomorrow because I will be at Target from 4-10 PM and I want my legs to be as fresh as I can, although, I'm not usually out that late. That's why I chose to work 4 AM - 12:30 PM. I like getting up early, probably like most runners. I've run over 211 miles this month and for the next 3 days I will take it easy.

Feels like Fall

I ran 10.1 miles this morning in 1:20:00 a 7:55.2/mi. pace. Simone had a lot of family things to do today so she ran 10 on her own. I felt great and maintained the 7.5 mph pace for most of the run.

I didn't get the job with CCAT so I'll be at Target Tuesday night for orientation.

My classes are going well and I'm looking forward to both of the marathons next month.

I got a massage and needles on Thursday from Shannon. She recommended I use castor oil around each knee so I did that yesterday for about 11/2 hours.

I have averaged over 50 miles per week since the Drake Well Marathon. This week I ran 50.3 miles.

Still Waiting

I haven't heard yet about the job; I still am hoping for a call telling me I got it but I expected it earlier so...

I just finished 7 miles in 56:48 for a 8:06.9/mi. pace in my new Pearl Izumi Cruise. I have over 50 miles on them now. They are more stiff than the Nike Max Moto but I think right now they work as a 2nd shoe. When the cold weather comes, I'm not sure they will be good for me but I have a couple of months to get use to them.

One Day Before I Find Out...

I find out tomorrow if I am picked for the job at CCAT. I hope so.

10 miles today in 1:23:30, 7.2 mph. Tired legs at the end, probably from staying up too late last night. I'm not into writing today; had a busy day and I'm looking forward to getting a massage tomorrow. I haven't had a massage for a month and I hope Shannon can work a miracle and make me feel like I'm 30 something again.

Quick Run

I ran 5.2 miles in 42:32 today for a 8:10.8/mi. pace. I was in bead for 11+ hours last night; I was really tired. I felt strong today but with my interview in the afternoon, I didn't want to be tired at all. The interview was GREAT! I felt like I did a good job and they liked what they heard. It's the perfect job for me and I would really do a bang up job. I usually up beat but I'll be a little down if on Thursday they tell me they gave it to someone else. I can't believe that I am not the perfect candidate for this job.

Tomorrow I'll run long again but it is just 21/2 weeks until the marathon so I won't push it; aiming for 46 miles this week.

Tired Monday *

I didn't feel good until mile 4 and by then I had decided to only run 7. It was a down day on the job front and my class; I start at Target next week and I have one piece of code which isn't working and I can't figure out why. I went to validator, http://validator.w3.org/ and it checked out but one page does not link back to the home page.

I just heard on public radio that it is going to 80 degrees on Wednesday, Summer coming back on the 1st full day of Fall. That's one reason I love New England.

Today I ran 7 miles in 59:16 a 7.0 mph pace. I have an interview in the early afternoon tomorrow so I run short late morning.

Yeah! Sunday

Yesterday Simone wanted to run on her own; she still didn't feel 100% so she ran alone near her home. I took the opportunity to run 10.2 miles at 7.6 mph a 7:50.6/mi. pace in 1:20:00. I didn't get to sit down all day and my legs were a little tired today. After CCD and Mass I got a coffee and then ran 11 miles in the Pearl Izumi Cruise. It took 1:30:20 a 8:12.7/mi. pace, 7.2 mph. That was good after the speed of yesterday.
I think that Simone should run without me in the marathon. It'll be like a graduation and she'll be on her own. I have given her all the advice I can and she should experience the marathon on her own without me. The most important point is to have fun! Run and enjoy it and alone she will not feel any added pressure from me.

Inspired by my Son

I spoke to my son on Tuesday and he ran 15 miles so yesterday I was inspired to run a little longer than I had anticipated. Yesterday 11.1 miles in 1:31:00, 7.3 mph. I'm still breaking in the Pearl Cruise which are like Brooks and Saucony, a little firmer than the Nikes I run in most days. They put more strain on my left knee and right ankle. My legs felt OK after yesterday's run and today I ran 8.1 miles in 1:06:20, again 7.3 mph. I felt strong today in the Nikes and was on my way to accomplishing everything I had to do until my wife came home and told me that we may need to move a couch, chess of draws and a stuffed chair tonight. I'm not in the mood but...

Fewer miles this week ( about 48) but I have been over 50 miles 3 of the last 4 weeks and will average over 50 miles/week for the last 5 weeks.

Interviews 2 Days in a Row

I had a second interview with CVS today. I think they would have had a great chance to be a part-time Pharmacy Tech but I did have to tell them about Target if I get the job because they wanted me until 10 PM a few nights a week. Since Target would start at 4 AM I said I didn't think I could do it more than twice a week. When am I go to run and do my homework for my 2 classes?

Today I stretched and foam rolled my legs and I felt OK so I ran form 2:30-3:30 PM. If I get the job I'll have to run in the afternoon most days.

I ran 7.0 miles in 58:06 at a 7.2 mph pace. I feel Ok. My left knee was tight but it "popped" before I ran and was fine. I think it was tight from the 20, but I'll have to take care not to run too far in the new shoes, Pearl Cruise, until I know they are right for me.

A Day to Remember

Not for anything I did on the road. Today I ran only 4.1 miles in 33:57 a 7.1 mph pace. My legs were a little tired this morning probably because I didn't sleep too well again last night. I'm more tired not having a job than from running. Although my left knee hurt today. Well 32 miles in 3 days is a lot for me.

I had my interview at Target. I arrived when they asked me to arrive but the computers (2) were both taken so I had to wait. Then the screen I was suppose to go to was one back from the start but I was told to just "use" the computer. Finally, I found I had to go back one page to continue my application. Several questions later I was escorted to my interview. Sara was very nice, as was Jared. They hired me contingent on my passing a drug test and a background check. I peed in a cup later in the afternoon at a lab. I hadn't drank much all day since running and my urine was dark. I don't even take vitamins or over-the-counter medications so I should be Ok. By taking the job I am losing about $100/week below unemployment. Since unemployment was about 1/3 of what I used to make I feel like I'm sliding into oblivion.

Tomorrow I have an interview with CVS. If they like me and hire me part time as a pharmacy tech I then have 2 jobs. I hope I can run as well.

Day After Day

I ran 8 miles today in 1:09 for an 8:37.5/mi. pace which is not bad for me the day after a 20 miler.

I got new shoes that I ran in the 1st time today, Pearl Izumi Cruise. They felt really good with soft no seam uppers and good toe and heal support. I want to thank Shannon at the Fleet Feet store in West Hartford for suggesting the Pearls.

I don't know if it was the shoes, the Accel gel or all the running I have been doing lately but my legs feel like I didn't even run today.

I have an interview on Monday and Tuesday already this week; hopefully, I get a job offer.

Simone's Longest Run!

Today we ran 20.1 miles in 3:22:00 for a 10:06.0 pace.

5 days ago she ran 11.3 miles at a 8:24.4/mi. pace.

On August 22 she ran 18.1 miles at a 10:13.3/mi. pace.

On August 1 she ran 7.0 miles at a 9:21.4/mi. pace.

Her times keep dropping. I am going to have her do 800s on a track for speed work and we are going to run 8 miles with a 1.8 mile hill at the end for hill work in the next 2 weeks.

I hope both help her. I think right now she can run a 3:57 marathon. She felt ill during part of the run today but kept her pace steady from mile 4 through mile 17; just what I had hoped before the run. Cold water bath for her this morning and no running until at least next Thursday.

I finished the week with 59.4 total miles; the most in one week this year.

I tried Accel Gel (Chocolate, 20 mg caffeine) on the run. The BEST chocolate gel I've tasted.

One More Day Until Simone's Longest Run

Yesterday I ran at lunch; 8.7 miles in 1:13:00. I felt good and it was a very productive day.

Today I was tired and almost decided to skip the run but after doing homework in the morning and running errands I went out at lunch. I was tired until about mile 4 so I only ran 6.1 miles in 51:08.

I'll take tomorrow off and try to get my next assignment for each class finished so I won't have to do too much on Saturday after our 20 miler. It's suppose to get a little warmer and may rain early but it rained for our 18 miler so I think Simone will be prepared.

Rain doesn't ever bother me unless it's really cold too.

Feels Like Monday

Applied for 3 jobs this morning after bringing 2 of my grandkids to school. I planned on running around noon. It took almost 3 hours to apply for jobs.

I thought I should take it easier this week since Simone and I plan to run 20 on Saturday.

I ran 6.2 miles in 52:08 for 7.1 mph and a 8:24.5/mi. pace. It had gotten hot by noon and a little humid so I'm just as glad that I planned a shorter run. If I keep my runs short tomorrow and Thursday I'll still have my longest mileage week for the year after Saturday.

Yesterday and Today: 5 Weeks to Hartford Marathon

With the cooler NE weather my speed has returned. I took it easy yesterday and still ran 7.0 miles in 57:34 for 8:13.4/mi.

Today I ran with Simone and she exceeded my expectations by running 11.3 miles in 1:35:00, 7.1 mph and a pace of 8:24.4/mi. That equals a 3:40.5/mi. pace for 26.2 miles. I know you can't judge a marathon on only 11 miles but she is a strong runner and I believe she can run miles 3-18 at about the same pace. If the last 8 miles are 2 minutes slower per mile then that's still a 3:57+ marathon and under 4 hours. That would be awesome!

My daughter Tiffany is on the St. Joseph's College XC team. Right now she is their 7th best runner and their #1 Freshmen. Her meets are on Saturday so I hope I can find a job that is M-F any hours so I can run my 2 marathons and see most of her meets.

My oldest daughter Julie ran XC in high school and I know from that experience that there are few spectators at XC meets.

My total for the week was 53.2 miles.

A Perfect Saturday in CT

I started running at 9 AM; the weather was perfect cool, slightly overcast and no wind. My legs felt a little heavy at first and I planned to run only 8 miles to get 50 for the week. Even though it was a great day I started out thinking it didn't matter how fast I ran I just wanted 8 miles. I ran a different route than I originally planned because I have been running a lot lately and needed some new scenery. When I got past the 4 mile mark I was feeling better. At about 7 miles another runner came around the corner in front of me and I picked it up. She was speed walking and sprinting so she passed me and then I passed her. I keep up a good pace from there to the finish; I think she really helped me kick it up a notch. I know Simone could do the same but she seems content to have me push her and not try to go past me. I am faster over a long run but she has considerable speed if she wants to show it. Any suggestions how I can get her to pick up the pace.
In all fairness, last week she did run 10 at her max speed for the last 7 miles. We run on Monday this weekend; I hope we come close to 7.0 mph pace.
I finished today 11.0 miles in 1:27:00 for a 7.5 mph pace 7:54.5/mi. as fast as I've run over 10 miles in weeks. 53.2 miles for the week. I feel really good right now. Now if I could only have the same success in my next interview, that would be great. I'm ready for the challenge.

Friday a Day of Rest *

I'm off today.

Yesterday I ran 9.7 miles in 1:21:00, a 8:21.0/mi. pace. 42.2 miles so far for the week.

In the news Oakland will have a marathon next year for the 1st time in 25 years. Theirs site is:

http://www.oaklandmarathon.com/site10.aspx

I read a news headline about Madonna was going to run the Marathon des Sables, a 151 mile ultra. It's not true but the marathon, with an entry fee of $3,950, makes interesting reading. The site is:

http://www.darbaroud.com/index_uk.php

September 2

I had to watch 2 of my grandkids today so I didn't get to run until 3:45. 7.0 miles in 59:18 for a 7.1 mph pace. 4 cars ran me off the road; that is why I like to run in the morning. I did my homework for my web design class and tomorrow I hope to get my homework for my programming class done. 32 miles so far this week.

I didn't get the full time job at Rockville Bank but they offered me a chance to have part time at 3 different branches. It's too bad; I had good feelings about the Coventry branch.

First Tuesday in September

September? Where did the Summer go? I know it's still Summer but school is back in session and it never seems like Summer then. Ran 10.5 miles today in 1:26 for a 7.3 mph pace. My right knee hurts; Shannon said to castor oil it because she felt there was stagnation in the area. She is very good and I usually act on her advice but I have been so busy with so many things I have not had a chance to do it. I did not get the second interview yet with Rockville Bank; Sue the branch manager said she would call me tomorrow with details. I have so much to offer but I feel that people think I'm too old. I'm taking 2 classes in web design and programming I run at least 40 miles a week and I do numerous things for friends and family besides cooking dinner most nights but I'm too old. I would like to see someone 20 years younger keep up with me. I think America is throwing away a whole generation of people early because of the recession. I haven't even been able to volenteer because there are so many people my age volenteering! I would like to help people be healthier and get more exercise but I don't know how to reach a larger number of people except through the Senior Center. Most of the "Seniors" are already doing more.

I hope I can run the 2 marathons in October. I will look for work soon that will not care weather I run or not. They will care only if I show up. America could be so much better than it is; we should work to improve our lives not just to work.