161

Still not good, but much much better. Now I only have 8 or so to go.

And today's speedwork session was very good. Best in a long time. I did 3 x (1600, 1200, 800) in times averaging 6:33, 4:50 and 3:05. Strong and consistent.

167

That's 167 pounds. I think that's the most in about 25 years. I think it'll come down fast now that I'll watch it. Also I had tons of pizza last night. I'm hoping for 162 or less tomorrow.

Today we did our usual Saturday morning towpath run. This time it was Dena instead of Amy, who had sciatica problems. It was warm and humid, but we did ok - about 15 or possibly a bit more. We gradually did faster miles until we were near 8 minute pace. Not bad.

That's 70 for the week. The most in a while. And considering the weight, things can only get better - right?

What Was I Thinking?

Not having to be at work until just before 11am here in Philly, I had time to spare. So I thought I'd do a medium-long run. 15 or so would do. Maybe even 16. The most I've done in the past month and a half (after Prague) has been 17. This would be a challenge for me.

It was another beautiful sunny morning as I went down the hill from the hotel and then onto the scenic Perkiomen Trail. Yesterday it was in a southernly direction, this time it was north. There had been only about a mile of crushed limestone for yesterday's run, with the rest being asphalt. Going north, it's mostly limestone.

After the usual slow start, I settled into a 8:20 to 8:30 pace. For some strange reason, I went past 7.5 miles out. I turned back at a nice park at 8+ miles. I guess I had started thinking of 16 miles rather than 15. But now it would be even longer than 16. On the way back I went out and back on an additional trail spur. Now it was looking like it would be more like 18 miles total.

So there I was, still feeling fine, still running that same pace, and I started thinking some more. 18 is *almost* 20. Why not go for the whole enchilada? As I got to the point where I was to extract myself from the trail and back up the hills to the hotel (about a mile more), I just kept going south.

Now I was on the part of the trail that I had done yesterday. I went a little over a mile and then turned back. I hit 20 just before the really really big hill up to the hotel and turned off my GPS. 2:49 and steady. Not bad. I was going to walk that last 1/2 mile.

I did walk for a few steps, but then I started jogging. Back on went the GPS. I did some extra and am calling it yet another mile.

What do you know?

Perkiomen

That's the trail here in Collegeville, PA that I run on. It's been a while - almost 2 years. But it's a very nice run. I did 10 in 87 today, and hope for 15 or so tomorrow.

Running in the Shadow of the Rainbow

The sun was just rising, but clouds were forming in the west. Before long, a rainbow began to appear. Even as the sun began to shine, the rain began to fall, and the rainbow became brighter and brighter. Soon the rain was pouring, but the rainbow remained. It was so bright that it was double, with additional, lighter rainbows inside the big one. It seemed almost bright enough to cast a shadow. It remained with me for over a half hour.

This all occured during my soggy speed session this morning. I managed to do seven 1600's. This isn't quite up to my goal of eight, but I'm happy to have done more than I have in a while. They were pretty steady too. Difficult, but steady. I averaged 6:35. Took several breaks too. Altogether I manged 12 in 93.

At least I'm seeing progress.

Racing and Then Some

Friday night I did two races: Wadsworth 4-mile at 7pm, and Jackson Night Glow at 9:45pm. I was slow for Wadsworth (26 and a half), and much slower for Jackson (just under 22). I only did this because the race series would give me 25 bonus points for doing both. Otherwise, I'm doing pretty lousy this year.

After about 10 hours I was out running again, this time with Dave, Amy and Chis on the towpath. I only did 10, but altough I was a little shaky at times, I managed to finish feeling fine.

Today I did 10 more at 8 and a half minute pace. Once again, I was happy to be able to complete the run at all considering the last few days.

We went out to dinner at Sweet Mango for our 33rd anniversary yesterday.

Running Today

I got out early again and this time I headed over to the track. I did 5 x 1200 @ 4:54. Still not fast, but at least they were steady. It's been a tough road, and those last couple were really tough. My HR got up to 171. Altogether 11 in 91. After a couple hours I hopped on the mill and did 2 more.

I did some running yesterday

Zoo yesterday. It was hot and surprisingly difficult to do all that walking.

13 miles today after waking early. Not the greatest - 9 minutes per mile. I did 10, took a call and then did 3 more. Tired sore legs. No good reason.

I've been eating too much. Way too much.

I Usually Run Really Lousy on Sundays, but

But this one was a keeper. I decided to do some speedwork for the first time in a long while, and it went ok. Not real fast, but at least I did it. 5 x 1600 @ 6:38. First 4 were about 6:36, and the last was slower, but I'm happy to have done any at all. Now I've got to improve. And there's a lot of room for that. Altogether 13 in 1:47.

Today's Long Run and other stuff

Debbie took Carol and Mom to visit Jill and the kids the other day. Everyone loved little Mario and Toni. Beth and Ed just dropped Mom to stay with us for the week.

I did the usual Saturday long run on the towpath with Dave and Amy today. It was raining and warm, so I was pretty well soaked. But we went ever so much farther (17) and faster (sub-9) today.

Today's Run, and Yesterday's

After Sunday's debacle, I did 5 on the mill Monday, 10 on the mill yesterday, and then 16 on the roads today. The mill runs were nothing to write home about, but today's 16-miler wasn't half bad.

Well, maybe it was half bad, but it was also half good. About 8:45 pace, with only the first mile over 9 minutes. This would've been awful not too long ago, but today, I'll take it.

I've been busy with work, but this should ease up in a couple days. Kathy and Mike will come to dinner tonight, and Mom is coming for a week starting on Saturday.

One Lousy Run

After being sick and not running much, I'd hoped to begin getting back into shape this week. Hasn't happened yet.. I slogged, and I do mean slogged, 12 miles at about 9:30 pace yesterday in the heat. It was oppressive, but the problem was mostly that I was so durn tired that I couldn't get moving. I had planned to run at least 15, but my body just wouldn't do it.

I may hit the mill for a couple yet this afternoon. It's still in the 90s outside.

Today's Long Run

I'm feeling better, even with the additional travel to the UK. It probably helped to take those few days off from running completely. I got in last night and went out to run this morning with Amy and Dave. It was a fairly usual towpath run - out and back for about 16 miles at about 9 minute pace. It was hot - in the upper 70s and 80s and very humid. I was just happy to finally run a decently long run again, and feel decent doing it.

A few days in the UK

I didn't do much at all. No sightseeing, not even any running. I did spend one of the three short nights at a resort of sorts - the Millenium Copthorne Reading, which is situated all along a pretty lake. But other than that, nothing much. Next time I'll try to get out and see more.

A Bit Better

It's happening, slowly but surely. I'm getting over this sinus infection. I only did 4 miles in the hood today, but I coulda done more. Debbie and I went to walk and then eat breakfast with George, Bob, Laura, Dan and Jessy M. Beautiful day for the walk.

Dan's Rant

Date: Fri, 30 May 2008 11:28:31 -0400
From: runhorvathrun@HOTMAIL.COM
Subject: DanH's Rant, was: Buffalo marathon report
To: DRNEO@LISTSERV.KENT.EDU

Dan Fox wrote:

> I hadn't realized windmills were such killing machines. It's a bummer that
> our energy production has such adverse effects on one population or another.
> Maybe we can figure out a way to keep animals away from the blades.

I was going to let Tom's original comment slide right on by, but then Dan had to go and bring it up again, so I feel like I gotta weigh in.


I understand that there is a concern about our fine feathered (or otherwise winged) animal friends. I'm not really sure if much can be done, except for one thing: locate the turbines correctly to avoid such creatures as much as possible. Perhaps there are indeed other things as well. So yes, it's a concern, but I'm much more concerned about these and other excuses (such as esthetics) used for the purpose of *not* moving toward renewable energy.


Tom, I'm not saying this was the motivation for your original comment; I'm just having my rant. Feel free to ignore me completely.


How long have they been "studying" the concept of placing wind turbines in Lake Erie? I know what some are thinking: what's the hurry? All the study and hesitation would be fine, if we weren't still building %$@# coal-fired plants, including some in Ohio. We should all know that this is just plain wrong. And don't get me started on "clean" coal.

I've spent some amount of time in Europe lately. I was informed that Germany has 50,000 wind turbines. I didn't doubt it - they're everywhere. Holland, Austria and a few other countries have gobs of them too. Observing this, I could only think: why the heck can't we do that? Lack of collective will?

How many birds and bats die from pollution caused by the burning of fossil fuels? How many die or will die from (this should bring on some comments) climate change caused by human activity?


OK - I'm done now. Have a wonderful green day.

By the way, nice report, Tom.