Christmas Run and Run/Walk

5.3 miles
51:08 min, 9:38 min/mile pace
+
6.03 miles, 2 running, untimed

Ran on my own this morning, including a mile long run through a valley that, according to the elevation chart, was a hundred foot drop then an immediate hundred foot climb out. Felt pretty phenominal today. 28*, saw wildlife everywhere, got to practice running on ice for future races. All in all a pretty goof start. Then, I got to run and walk around a nature preserve, see geese and ducks, a small river, numerous lakes and ponds while spending time with my wife! We did 6 miles in all. I could do this every day!

Perfect weather!

3.01 miles
30:33 min, 10:09 min/mile
+
2 treadmill miles

We had another nice run this morning. Nothing intense, but we did manage to pick up the pace just a bit. I suspect she did this in order to get out of the 30* weather, but whatever works! Today was supposedly the coldest day here in Columbia with temps not breaking 35* all day, and the Target insulated mock neck worked just fine, even if it does feel like the mock neck is choking me. At half the price of Under Armour Cold Gear I can handle it for now!

10/22 Midwest Run

3.03 miles
31:12 min, 10:17 min/mile

Also ran, but didn't track, 3 miles while we were in Atlanta, but I have to say that the best run so far was today. 31 degrees when we woke up, threw on the warm layers and hit the road. Columbia, Missouri has some beautiful scenery, nice rolling hills with the occasional valley to run through. Before we leave I'll be running through a valley that would make Newell Rd in Gainesville look tiny and I can't wait! I'm not sure DW will want to do that with me, but that just means I'll run half the mileage that day with her and the rest by myself. We're still thinking about the Katy Trail down closer to the Mizzou campus, but a body was just found there by another runner so we might avoid it for now until all the spectators and police get done with whatever they have to do.

Ate way too much Shakespeare's Pizza so the run tomorrow should be miserable. We'll attempt a few miles on the treadmill tonight. Can't let the weight slip over the holidays!

I like my new shoes, I like my new shoes

Because it's all good. - Pete the Cat

3.5 miles
32:00 min, 9:08 min/mile

Ran around campus, down University, 34th and back to Hull and Museum Road until the pain in both arches got too bad to continue. Actually I should have stopped long before, but I was too far away from my car to walk. I ended up getting blisters on both feet, but they're not too severe. Hopefully it won't hurt tomorrow when I drop off DW's car in the morning for an oil change and run home. That would be embarrassing having to walk by all the little middle schoolers!

12/12 Run

3.24 miles
29:51 min, 9:12 min/mile

It was a dark and stormy night and some idiot was out running and dodging cars. Not really dodging because I saw them all coming from a long way off and got far away from the road, but still. Ran after dinner on a full stomach, but even with that it felt like any other run. Nothing tremendously fast or slow, just the Higdon required miles at a good pace.

12/10 Run

3.19 miles
27:40 min, 8.41 min/mile

Yep, last run was on the tenth, skipped one yesterday and it's raining today. Been feeling really sluggish lately, but somehow I have to get out there and put a lot of miles in this week starting today. Writing this while on a corporate conference call at work. Is that bad?

Also, learned of a HCG Diet from a friend of ours, which is basically cutting calories while using a chemical drop to reduce appetite. The 26 day program costs a little over a hundred bucks and it promises a pretty drastic weight loss, so January might be the ideal time if the money is there. Rejoining the gym might be the best option though. I can't wait to get back to Gainesville Health and Fitness!

12/7 on Mt. Newell

6 reps, all under 1 min, final @ 41 seconds

A shorter hill workout on the Higdon plan today, but I made it a little faster and more intense. Really wasn't feeling the hills today, but the fat boy powered through the required 6 hill climbs in pretty decent time. At 53 degrees, the last sprint up the steepest hill on campus took 41 seconds and I honestly thought I was close to passing out, which would have been bad considering I was alone tonight!

Tomorrow is a busy day. With holiday travel coming up, finding someone to cover my spot at work, parties, shopping and whatever else pops up, we're slammed. Lots of errands leaves little time to practice on the driving range and run, but it'll have to get done somehow.