Hill repeat day

So today was hill repeat day. I was a bit nervous going into it as I am a little intimidated by hills.

Warmup - 1.5 miles
#1 Hillup 100m - 52 seconds
#1 Hilldown 100m - 1:32
#2 Hillup 100m - 59 seconds
#2 Hilldown 100m - 1:32
#3 Hillup 100m - 57 seconds
#3 Hilldown 100m - 1:32
#4 Hillup 100m - 57 seconds
#4 Hilldown 100m - 1:32
#5 Hillup 100m - 56 seconds
#5 Hilldown - 1:32
Cooldown - 1.5 miles

Total approximate mileage - 5 miles

Not sure what else to write about the hills but...they were hard, but they werent miserable. And when we were done I felt very satisfied (and tired and hungry). Hopefully I can go out tomorrow for a nice easy 3 mile run. I also need to figure out a good long run for Sunday. No break til Monday.

Still love the new shoes.

Black toe update

Well the black toe is going away - I'm betting its due to the new shoes. Thank you Saucony and Rhode Runner!!

I'm running in the rain...I'm running the rain.....

Well today it rained hard, but that didnt get in our way. Justin said we are running so we ran. Today was easy run day - we ran 3.58 miles, total time 36:17, pace 10:07.

1st mile - 9:59
2nd mile - 10:18
3rd mile - 10:27
last .58 mile - 5.30

Thanks Shawn for the times from his Garmin.

Tempo errrr I mean Hill Run errr....whatever

So today was supposed to be a Tempo run with Justin and crew. It being Jeff's last day they decided to play frisbee. So I ran to the park to meet them but took the "scenic" route. My first mile was 8:15 - not too shabby. I got to the stop sign on Liberty lane and Rte 2 at 11:15 (1.45 miles in) - my fastest to the stop sign EVER. Then UP the big hill - then down the big hill.....Total 3.2 miles in 27 minutes even.

Today's run definitely gave me my confidence back from my crappy run on Saturday. Easy run tomorrow. Hill work (ugh) on Thursday.

"Long" Run Day

Today's run just flat out stunk. Woke up around 7am and was out the door by 7:30. Took off up Hinckely Ave (in Somervilla) - up Broadway hill. I went nice and slow and felt actually kind of good considering the lack of sleep. I missed the turn on Central and had to come back up the hill to make the turn. I should have realized that was a sign.

The next few miles were just slow, painful and just plain miserable. The last 3/4 of a mile, when Rage and Cypress Hill came on the headphone I got a boost and was able to run ALL out for that bit. And I mean all out - i tried to talk (to myself) and could barely gets 2 words out before needing a breath. So I'm officially calling my last bit the "Zack, Tom, Tim, Brad, B-Real, Sen-Dog, DJ Mugs, and and Eric Bobo 3/4 Mile".

Couple days off and back at it on Tuesday with a Tempo run or hill work.

Update -

Day off -

Today I am taking the day off from running. I actually feel pretty good from yesterdays Tempo run. My left knee feels "tender" right below the knee cap - but nothing too bad. I slept really well last night. Long run is planned for tomorrow in Boston - I'm hoping for a 6-7 mile or 70 minute run.

No more Nike+ for me

I've decided to ditch my Nike+ for my iPod and go with a watch and MapMyRun to figure it all out. I could really never get the Nike+ calibrated and it was always off for my runs (based on what google maps said). So if anyone has a watch to recommend let me know....

Tempo Run - IN NEW SHOES!!

Today, Justin and I did our first Tempo run. Also today was the first run with the new shoes. The shoes were great - I couldn't be happier with them. Results of today's tempo run.

Warmup - 1 mile in 9:50 minutes
1st mile tempo - 8:00 minutes (too fast)
2nd mile tempo - 9:00 minutes (too slow)
Cooldown - 1 mile in 10:00 minutes
Overall time - 36:50 for 4 miles

We were aiming for 8:30 minute pace - so we have some work to do to bring the fast down and speed the slow up to the midpoint. The tempo miles felt tough but not impossible. We could talk a little as we ran which is a good sign (I think).

Off day tomorrow - which is good as this is the first time in a long time I ran 3 consecutive days. I'm looking for a good route in Somverville/Cambridge area for my Saturday long run. Guess I'll be on MapMyRun most of the night finding that "perfect" route.

10:15pm Update - No soreness or pain. Im a little shocked. But I guess we will see how I feel in the morning (or when the ibuprofen wears off).

NEW SHOES!!

I did some quick math the other day and realized that my Nike's have quite a few miles on them. That coupled with my new case of "Black Toe" - I decided it was time for a new pair of shoes.

Instead of going to Dick's or similar place and buying the most inexpensive of the fancy Nike's I could find; I thought it was about time I go to a real running store and get someone to watch me walk and all that jazz. I heard good things about Rhode Runner in Providence from Justin so I headed there (after a quick trip to Books on the Square to get some books for Alec to keep him occupied).

As soon as I walked in I was helped by a nice kid working there. He made me take off the shoes and roll up my jeans and walk to the door and back a couple times. After a few questions about mileage and stuff - he brought out 3 pairs - 1) Nike 2) Saucony and 3) Brooks.

The Nike's felt just like my current Nike's so nothing spectacular. I then put on the Saucony shoes - and WOW. They felt soooo good. I tried on the Brooks after that - they were nice - but the Saucony's were the way to go. So I have a brand new pair of Saucony Progrid Trigon 5 Ride (silver/grey/orange) size 10.5s.



I know it seems I'm a little over excited about a pair of shoes - but I hate going shoe shopping for any shoe - and this was as painless as it gets. Oh and Alec insisted on seeing my black toe when I was trying on shoes - he says and I quote "Its not that gross Daddy".

Todays "Easy" run

Today was "easy" run day. We went our old school 5k route down Liberty Lane. We did today at a 9:27 pace. A little faster than we would have liked - but we did negative splits which is good. First mile was 10 minutes, last 1.1 was 8:45. The knees are a little sore and the toe is still black. Hopefully tomorrows Tempo run isnt as hard as I think its gonna be.