End of 3rd Shift for Now

After 4 hours of sleep, I ran 7.1 miles in 56:35, 7:58/mi. and the fastest pace was 6:20. I felt good and I don't have to work 3rd shift this week or next. I hope to increase my miles again. I'm feeling really good just a little tired now.

The Official, Unofficial Results

The Manchester Road Race (MRR) had unofficial results posted today. I came in 543 out of a total of12,020, 38th in my age group, in a time of 32:17. It was a 6:44.6/mi. pace, my second fastest MRR ever. Since 2004, when I started receiving a card for the under 35 minute corral my results are:

Year Chip Time Overall Place Age Place

2004 34:47 982 --

2005 32:08 429 25

2006 33:06 593 46

2007 32:53 571 45

2008 34:06 819 78

2009 32:17 543 38

Hopefully, I can keep up the pace for a few more years. 3 years from now I'll be in a new age group. It'll be interesting to see how much faster the 60-64 age group is when a number of fast runners all turn 60.

Fastest Manchester Ever!

It's not official but my 32:23 for 4.787 miles is unofficially my fastest ever. That's a 6:45.7/mi. pace. I thought at one point my heart was going to pound out of my chest. I actually ran down the downhill portion at a 6:05-6:20 pace and on the flat between mile 3 and 4 I was running in the 5:50s. At the end I noticed my timing strip was detached. I hope I get an official time. It's very important to me since it was my fastest in the 19-20 years I have run. It only took about 3-4 seconds to cross the start so the 32:23 is close to my real time. I wonder if my time is not recorded if I'll get into the same corral or if I'll have to re-qualify? That would not be right.

Today when I was in the corral waiting for the start, 3 guys who did not have cards came under the rope in the under 35 minute corral. I work so hard to qualify and then these guys just cut in; it's not fair.

Preparation for Manchester

I got home at 4:30 this morning so I was able to get some sleep before the house stirred.

I just ran 4.1 miles in 33:23, an 8:08/mi. pace. First mile was 8:22 so I didn't run too bad. My faster pace was 6:10 so last night didn't bother my legs as much, although I felt tired. They gave me tonight off so I could be fresh for the race.

Three Days Off :(

I hadn't run since Thursday. I got 5 hours of sleep and then went for a run this morning. 7.1 miles in 59:38, an 8:24/mi. pace. Last week my fastest time during the run was between 5:51 - 6:22. Today it was 7:04. Third shift takes it out of my legs. I needed to average about 150 miles in November and December to get to 2000 for the year. I'm not sure I'm going to reach that goal.

Last Run of the Week *

I was able to run 10.0 miles after it stopped raining. 1:20:18 at a pace of 8:01/mi. I felt good and could have run a lot further but I need to be a bit conservative through the 28th.

There is an interesting article in the NY Times, http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/18/phys-ed-why-exercise-makes-you-less-anxious/?em " Why exercise makes you less anxious"...

Quick Run and Thoughts on Boston Closing

I ran 4.1 miles this afternoon, 32:12, a 7:51/mi. pace. I was experimenting with trying to pick the pace up after a slow 1st mile.

I'm sure people know that Boston registration closed on November 13 for the April 19, 2010 race.

I received their notice that it was filling up and I needed to sign up now! This is the earliest it has ever closed. I have found that this is happening more and more with marathon registration. I find it sad that there will be people who qualified and won't be able to run in Boston. I hope I can keep my streak alive for at least 10 years. Luckily, I qualified in 5 of my 6 marathons this year. Next year I will sign up as soon as I am able to guarantee entry.

Great Day for a Long Run

I went to bed at the same time I would have if I had to get up for work but I had the day off with lots to do including a long run. I got up at 5:30 and worked on home work and ate breakfast. After bringing my 2 grandkids to school I left for a long run at about 8:50. It was a little windy but overall a perfect day to run long. I ended up going 17.1 miles in 2:17:25, an 8:02.2/mi. pace which is the equivalent of a 3:30:28.4 marathon pace. I was running at 6:56/mi pace for my finishing sprint. Needless to say, I felt great the entire run. I feel I need to run a couple of miles before the Manchester Road Race in order to do my best. If I don't warm up I will definitely go slower at the beginning.

One Long Run After Another

So after taking Wednesday and Thursday off because of work and school, I ran 11.0 miles on Friday. The time was 1:30:21, an 8:12.8/mi. pace. Both my ankles were a little sore. When I got home my new Nike Air Max Moto 7's were waiting for me. Saturday I worked 3:30-1 so and I had to take my CCD class at church to the Rite of Reconciliation so I didn't run. I did feel good after eating so I planned a long run again on Sunday.

I had almost 8 hours of sleep/rest Saturday to Sunday and left at about 7:25 to run. This was my 1st early morning run of the month. I do miss running earlier because I feel I get a lot more done in a day. I hit the 1st mile mark @ 8:30 and my new shoes felt great. From mile 5 to the end I ran fartleks. I finished 10.1 miles in 1:20:23, a 7:57.5/mi. pace. I was thrilled with my time! I could turn on the speed for up to a 1/2 mile. I'm writing this after church and I still feel good, my legs are not sore. New shoes always help me. This is about my 8th/9th new pair for the year.

Light Steps Again

I had to take yesterday off. After the long run on Sunday, work took it out of my legs and I planned a longer run today. I was able to go 10.5 miles today in 1:25:15, 8:07.1/mi. There was a lightness in my step which had not been there since DC. Plus I almost finished my homework on my web site project. I have to send it to my instructor today. I hope to have a site where more people will come and I'm looking for more feedback and some guest writers.

Long Run today

I had to take yesterday off. Between work and all the things I had to do I just didn't have the time. I didn't get any additional sleep and my legs felt tired.

Today I was determined to run 14 and I did. 14 miles in 1:55:55, 8:16.8/mi.; not bad 2 weeks after my second marathon. My legs do get more tired getting up at 2:50 each morning. Tomorrow I get to go in late, 6:00. My calf's are really tired now and I did slow down the last 3-4 miles. I need a new pair of shoes.

Although Tiffany's team qualified for Maine, the coach and AD decided they weren't good enough to spend the money to send them. Very nice :-(

Colder and Windy

Yesterday was cool but once I started running it was nice. 7.1 miles in 57:29, 8:05.8/mi. My left ankle hurt throughout the run. I saw Shannon for a massage, I hadn't had one since just before Hartford, and my legs and ankle felt great by the end.

Today I felt motivated early but by the time I ran it was cold and windy. I went slow and my ankle didn't hurt; I really had no motivation. This is the first time in a long time I can say that. I ran 7.4 miles in 1:03:38, 8:35.9/mi. pace. That's the slowest I have run in a long time. I need a goal; my next scheduled marathon is Boston, a long way off.

First Wednesday in November

After work this morning I tried to sleep but my mind was too active and after I laid down for an hour I got up and ran 6.1 miles in 49:03, an 8:02.5/mi. pace. My left ankle hurt for most of the run; my usual Fall problem. Looks like I'll be using a tread mill again soon. I really don't like running on the tread mill but it does help me through the colder weather months. Oh boy running in the gym again.

I need a new pair of shoes to go with what I have and I need a massage. Tomorrow I get the massage and within the week I'm getting a new pair of shoes.

Besides Meb, Joan Benoit Samuelson set the 50+ NYC Marathon record this year. An amazing women who continues to run fabulous times. Read it here, http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/2009-11-01-110667149_x.htm

Sunday/Monday

This is the 2nd time I wrote an entry today. Not sure what happened but it blew off and I'm too tired to write it all again. I didn't run today. Yesterday I ran 10.1 miles in 1:22:47, a 8:11.8/mi. pace. The longest run this early after a marathon.

Big news yesterday: Meb won NYC Marathon. Here is a link to top 100 men and top 25 women,

http://www.marathonguide.com/news/newsviewer.cfm?src=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/2009-11-01-nyc-marathon-live_N.htm

America is back in a big way. Meb beat 2 Kenyans.

Windy!!!

Yes today was windy! I put on the Pearls after working 3:30-11 (+ 2hours of sleep) and ran 6 miles in 48:57, an 8:09.5/mi. pace not bad after my 1st day back yesterday, 4.1 miles in 33:43, an 8:13.4/mi. pace. I only took 4 days off form running the marathon; the least # I usually take off.

Work is good, school is good and running is good.

I can't believe that Marine Corps was my last marathon of the year. I'm really feeling great and I wish I had the time and $ to run another. I hoping things are better in January and I can find one to run.

Some random thoughts on the Marine Corps Marathon: it was a great course and if I had started up closer to the 3:30 pacer I think I would have had less problems with runners in the 1st 6 miles.

I burned 3205 calories total for the race; at least that is what the Garmin 305 recorded. Almost all the pictures they took were worth buying; I purchased 2. I would love to run it again. Right now my top 5 marathons courses, in no particular order are , Vermont City, Boston, Marine Corps, Houston and Hartford followed closely by NY city.

Marine Corps Marathon

This will be brief since I got home this morning at 1:50 AM and got up at 5:20 AM to get ready for work. I'm tired now after being on my feet all day.

I ran a great race. Keith and I started at the 4:15 corral and I had the 3:30 pacer in sight near the finish. I finished strong. Overall I was 1418/20936, 17/619 in my age group with a time of 3:32:19. This was my 6th fastest marathon of the 23 after running Hartford 2 weeks ago which was my 4th fastest. I was in the top 6.8% overall.

My son Keith ran well at first but had not gotten enough sleep since some of his workers failed to show for work and he covered on Friday and Saturday. He came in at 4:24:12 which was in the top 39.6% overall. If he was able to train more he would definitely run much faster.

5 Days to the Marathon

Only 5 days to the Marine Corps Marathon.

Today I felt inspired; I'm not sure why. I ran 5.3 miles in 41:43, a 7:52.3/mi. pace.

I was probably avoiding my homework in programming. I'm not sure how to build my most recent assignment. I woke up @ 1:25 AM and didn't get back to sleep before getting up @ 2:50.

I did lay down this morning after work for 2 hours but I have my homework on my mind.

Maybe I'm too tired but I don't know how to fix it and send it in to be graded. I have all day tomorrow, so hopefully I will be able to straighten it out.

I feel OK, but my son would like to run with me the whole race in Washington, which complicates matters. I think I can run 3:30 something but my son has never broken 4 hours. I ran with him in VT and we came in 4:25+ which hurt my legs. I don't have to work Monday until 6:00 but my legs will be better if I can just run on Sunday. I've talked to Keith and tried to get him to run his pace and if we run on our own well we have a lot of years to to run a marathon together at a pace we are both comfortable with. I think it's best we decide during the marathon at about mile 3-5.

Either way this should be fun for both of us.

Quick Note

My homework is due Wednesday in my programming class and I have a lot to do still.

I took yesterday off; I was tired and getting up this morning at 2:50 put a damper on the run along with the cold rain which fell all day.

Today I ran 7.1 miles in 58:13 a 8:12 pace similar to Saturdays' pace. I now have a heart rate monitor with the Garmin; I haven't used one in about 2 years. My avg. HR is 134 and I always hit a pace of 6:20-6:24 on the run or at least on the past 2 runs. I need to read all the info on the GPS but I won't have the time until Friday.

New Start and Cross Country

My daughter Tiffany runs XC for St. Joseph's College in West Hartford CT. She has taken time off her race time each week for 3.1 miles and today she went under 26 minutes. She ran a great race at the WNEC Invitational. The official time has not been published yet.

I just bought a Garmin 305 because it was 53% off at Amazon. I used it today for the first time. 6 miles in 49:11; back to running after last weeks marathon. My right leg is not totally recovered; I did run well today and I hope to run for an hour tomorrow.

The Garmin 305 is more accurate than the 201 that I had been using and it has a heart rate monitor too with many more functions. It can save and store your runs and has modes for biking and other sports as well. I'll write more about it when I have a little more experience with it.

The 201 I'm giving to my son; he has an older Garmin unit which doesn't always work.

Hartford Marathon

Well I had a GREAT run in Hartford.

I have been busy and tired so I haven't written until now and I won't write much because I need to get to bed.

I came in in 3:30:21, 314th place, 9/89 in my age group. I ran strong right to the end. This is my fastest time since May of 2006 when I set my PR. I had to stop to use the port-a-potty and tie my shoe but at one point I felt I was slacking because I should have run even faster. I had negative splits; 8:05 for 10 miles, 8:00 13.1 and 7:59 for 20 miles. I did slow the last .3 miles which kept me from qualifying for NY (I needed a 3:29:59) but it was a race to remember forever. I had a big grin on my face most of the race because I was enjoying it so much!

Simone came in at 4:18:52, 1218 overall (out of 2224) and 57/142 in her age group. She looked good at the end and I think it was a good time for her. Your 1st marathon will always be remembered. This was a positive start, I hope she keeps going and qualifies for Boston some day.

I don't have any pictures but I did make the TV broadcast, my wife saw me at the start, so I may be able to post it.