Monday night running group

I decided to try the Running Place Monday night group run tonight. They meet at the store at 6:45 and run around the Newtown Square area in the vicinity of Marple Newtown High School. The store has been supportive of our group so I knew I would know at least one person in the group; Patti or Bill the owners.

When I arrived I asked what paces they had going. One group ran 9:15's. That was definitely out. Another group was doing run/walk using 60 second walk and 90 second run. I wanted to do more than that. The other group said they ran 10:30. I knew that was a bit much for me but I went with them anyway. I figured I could find my way back on my own. I'm not unfamiliar with the area. So off I went with Eleanor and Alex. We chatted a bit to start but after about a mile I was content to listen to their chatter. The pace was pushing it for me but this was going to be 4 miles at most and I should push the pace sometimes or i'll never get faster.

In the end we averaged 10:54 over 3.75 miles. I fell a little behind them on the way back but not so far that a good burst of speed wouldn't have closed the gap. I felt the pace in my breathing but my legs felt fine. I will go back.

Day 23 and still going.

Day 21: Trail running!

I had the best time trail running with Phillyfit today. You can read about it here.

Day 21. Three weeks of running every day. I had 8 on my schedule. I don't think I quite got there. It was a little over 7 I think. All my gadgets failed me today. My watch measured .1 and then froze. After running about 5 (according to a friend's measurement) with the trail group I went out for another 2 or so. My friend John T came with me. We were planning to do 3 and 1's after running most of the 5 on the trails. My gymboss reset itelf again. It worked but not properly. *sigh*.

I ran in old shoes today know that we would get dirty and possibly wet. The shoes are not  completely spent but I will have to decide soon if I want to purchase trail shoes or just keep running on my regular shoes which may mean they will wear out quicker. That's a decision for another day though. I had too much fun on the trails to think about that now.

Oooops!

Ok so I can't count. I thought my half marathon this past November was my 10th. Turns out it was only my 9th. Here's the count of half marathons:

2008; PDR
2009; PDR, Philly Half
2010; Disney, PDR, Hershey
2011; PDR, OCNJ, Philly Half

I had to go count the medals and the hat (OCNJ) to be sure this time since I can't trust my head.

The good news is that April 29, 2012 will be my 10th.... and Emma's 1st! I like the eveness that. It appeals to my sense of balance. :)

Oh and today was day 20. The hardest one so far but I did my mile after work and the habit continues.

4 miles, 2 hills (twice each), Wind Chill 17

I had way too much fun on this, day #17. I wanted to do a hill workout so I ran a route that takes me on two hills in Media. Edgmont Road is a long slow climb for 5 blocks and 8th Street is a short steeper climb for 2 blocks. In between the two the route is up and down as well but much shorter pieces than either of those. In fact, the ones in between are just short enough to give me a burst then a break. Two circuits of this route then back home is just shy of 4 miles so I run down my street and back to make it 4. My average pace was under 12 the entire way. I think I could have run harder. So now, I have something to shoot for next time.

I love cold weather running. I discovered that last year actually. I thought maybe it was just the snow but there hasn't been any snow yet (unless you count the freak storm on Halloween which I don't because it was gone in hours). I feel strong in the cold and things don't hurt as quickly. I guess the cold keeps the swelling down in my old joints. Whatever it is, I'm having fun.

Day 15; Why am I doing this?

Today was day 15. I ran 4 miles with friends to start off the New Year. I had planned to do 3. Funny thing about running with a group. I did 4 and felt great. Had I been alone I probably would have struggled through the 3.

I have been asked several times since I started, "Why are you doing this?" (the consecutive days of running). There are several reasons. (If you've been reading this blog you may find a lot of this post repetitive.) First, after the year I had in 2011 I knew I needed a 'no excuses' approach to running. I needed to create a habit so that no matter how cold, rainy, hot or yukky it might be I would go out for at least something. I've set the threshhold at 1 mile. Even on my worst day I can run a mile in less than 13 minutes and usually average about 11.5. I figure how hard can it be to get out for 11.5 -13 minutes a day. I've joined the 100 Days Challenge on FB (John Bingham's page) so on the days I only go out for less than 3 miles I will have to find other things to do 'intentionally' to make up the time.

Another reason for wanting to get a running habit started is my goal of getting to under 2:17 for the half marathon. I did that in 2009 at the Philadephia Half Marathon. I've not come close since. So what was different then? Simply put, I was running more. I had signed up for the 2010 Goofy Challenge and I was so afraid of not making it that I pushed harder. I wasnt getting out every day back then but I was running more and harder than I did in 2011. I felt better too. I was in better shape and weighed less.

I am currently signed up for 2 half marathons and I have a total of  5 (maybe 6 ) that I'd like to do this year.

Lehigh Valley Half - April 29 (with Emma) - already signed up
1/2 Saur 1/2 Kraut - June 29
Pennsbury Half - End of August. This is the maybe race.
Rock N Roll Phlly Half - September 16 - already signed up
Ocean City NJ Half - September 29
Philly Half - November 18