The Great Stew Chase 15k

Over a month later than last year, but almost just as cold. Blustery but not as windy as last year. I ran totally by feel this year, not looking at my watch at all. Pleased w/ the result, first race in 8 months and 35 seconds faster than last year so I'll take it. Not as big a field this year, so it was good for 9th place results. I have literally done nothing but 40miles a week at 7:30-8:00 min pace for the last few months, so this was a good test of fitness. The pace felt comfortably hard and gives me some confidence that I can build speed towards a 1/2 marathon and the Yankee HC 10 miler. Splits below:
1-6:49
2-6:56
3-6:45
4-7:06
5-7:15
6-6:38
7-7:07
8-7:03
9.3-8:52
Total: 1:04:35/6:56

California Running

I have recently been reassigned temporarily to work two week stints in Richmond, Ca, across the bay from San Francisco. While my time has been busy on tugboats I have managed to find time to squeeze in some mileage. While the running is very "grab it when I can" there is a very hilly trail run right around the corner. This area has been providing 5-7milers of very hilly terrain and I even managed to get 40miles last week. Running in shorts and a t shirt has been a nice change of pace, but I miss my family tremendously and have just been trying to make the best of it. I think I can maintain some fitness and a good mental outlook, but I think this arrangement will make it difficult to get the consistent build in mileage and long runs necessary for a spring marathon. So I'll find some other goals in the 10-13.1 range to race towards and hopefully find the build for a fast fall marathon.

Round 2

Ran 10 miles on Saturday and didn't feel too bad. My daughter who had the same bug pretty much slept all day Saturday. Well I paid the price for not taking it easy Saturday. Early Sunday morning I awake to round 2 of the shits. No mileage today, 3 days off for the week and a meager 32 miles. But I did get down to 173...the hard way.

Stomach Bug

Kicked my ass yesterday. Fluids out of both ends, no mileage yesterday, still hoping I can bounce back today and save the weekly total over the weekend. The good news is I am about 5lbs closer to 165.