April week 2

Monday - Friday - Once again nothing significant to speak of because of track practice.

Saturday - 3 miles around school.  Felt decent.

Sunday - 10 miles w/athlete.  I wasn't planning on going this long as I never thought my back would hold up.  We were supposed to run an hour, but there was a little bit of a communication snafu.  My athlete took my watch and ran ahead after 19 minutes of him graciously running at my pace.  I told him to turn at thirty minutes and that I would be following him on the straight out and back.  He kept going and going.  He thought I meant an additional 30 minutes!  Thankfully, he only kept it up for 25 minutes and figured he had gone far enough.  He was no worse for the wear, but I was really struggling at the end.  Oh well, beautiful day and I made it.  He looked great.  Now we just need a meet to not get cancelled like the first two.

First week of April

Monday - Friday.  Nothing exciting to speak of.  Coaching is in full swing.  I didn't do much running with the kids.  Probably < 2 miles.  I have been seeing hundreds if not thousands of Canada geese flying up the CT River.  A lot are landing in the open patches of river.  The highlight was a flock of snow geese with two in the blue phase that flew over the school.  I've been seeing the eagles at practice too.  The killdeer are back around campus which is a sure sign of spring.  The birding is great, but I need to squeeze in more miles during practice.

Saturday - 2 miles on the HRT.  I felt miserably stiff during the run.  I saw an otter on the ice.  There were a lot of ducks and possible 1,000 + Canada geese on the open patches of water.  I might have to go back with my binoculars today.  I did a good stretching routine after the run, and I am feeling looser as I type this.  Hopefully, I'll feel up for a longer run tomorrow.

Sunday - 4 miserable miles on HRT.  My back started bothering me after about 15 minutes.  I was reduced to a hobble for the last two miles.  I did see a lot of ducks - hooded mergansers, common mergansers, and ring necked ducks.

Getting over sickness, race, and long run - Last week of March

Monday - Wednesday:  My Crohn's was back thanks to too short a dose of meds.  I had to take two sick days Tuesday and Wednesday, but I was making a big rally by Thursday.

Thursday - 2 miles + 3 hill sprints and lots of drills.  I even banged out a bunch of burpees with the team.  Fun to feel my health coming around.  Big turnout this year.  Lots of promise!

Friday - 1 mile w/more drills.  Legs a little sore from yesterday - glutes and quads mostly.

Saturday - 5 at the Fast Friends Road Race.  Cold and snowing with snow accumulated on roads.  I ran the 4.5 in 37:42 - 8:23 pace - 36th place.  Mile splits were 8:20, 8:26, 7:59, 8:49, and around 4 flat for the half (don't feel like doing the math).  I was happy to be under 8:30 pace.  I felt good through 3 miles which included a long hill in mile two.  Rig mode was accomplished in the last 1.5.  Fun day.

Sunday - 9 w/athlete around Hinsdale.  My pace was sluggish.  My right calf was pretty darn tight after 6 miles.  Tough day after a race.

Week - 17

Realistically, I won't get many more miles than this during track season, as I stick on campus with the throwers, sprinters, and jumpers.  I'll continue doing drills and getting out on weekends.

Second week of March

I haven't been getting out much.  My arthritis and Crohn's starting acting up these last two weeks.  I was able to get to the doctor's on Friday, and I'm already feeling a lot better as of Sunday.  I just got back from a nice five miler down by the setbacks.  It was 35 degrees and overcast.  A lot of melting is taking place.  We're in mud season up here.

Weekly total:  8

Next week doesn't look like I'll be able to run much as I have to watch the babies all week after school while Gina is at rehearsals for her musical.

Last week of February

No point in doing a day by day breakdown.  I ran 12 miles on 2 days of running.  I've been busy (excuses, excuses) and the cold is getting to me.  Today (3/1), I ran 9 miles and it was 7 degrees.  It's snowing and 23 degrees as I type this.  Hats off to the more dedicated athletes out there!

2/16 - 2/22 February Vacation

Last week I ran a total of 6.5 miles on two days.  I was busy working as the substitute VP for 2 days plus meetings and cold weather.  I didn't get out until Saturday.  Sunday we were getting hit with more snow and I only ran 1.5 miles.  Let's see if this can be a better week.

Monday 2/16:  3 miles.  It was -20+ windchill during my run.  Have no fear; I completely overdressed.  I was a sweaty mess by the end of this one.

Tuesday 2/17:  3 miles on HRT.  I wanted to go farther, but I just didn't have the mental fortitude today.  It was another cold day, 7 degrees, when I headed out.  I couldn't get into the run.  I'm sick of dressing like Nanook of the North every time I go for a run.  Tomorrow should be warmer.

Wednesday 2/18:  0.  Just didn't get it done today.  Gina headed out with her sister to enjoy a kid free day, and my window to run was early morning.  It was too darn cold for me.

Thursday 2/19:  0.  Meetings in the morning.  We did take the kids to the Keene Children's Museum which was pretty fun.

Friday 2/20:  4 to Walmart N Back.  3 degrees when I ran.  The sun was shining and I heard some robins.  It almost felt warm.

2/2 - 2/8

Monday - Friday: - 0.  Tons of snow, tubing at Granite Gorge, and refereeing all contributed to yet another dismal running week.

Saturday 2/7:  4 around town.  Nice morning.  I snuck out in between rounds of flurries.  Here comes more snow tomorrow and Monday.

Sunday 2/8:  4 around town.  It was snowing heavily.  I drove to the school and ran around the quieter roads of town.  I managed to not see one car while running.


Weekly total:  8