3 Mile Run (A+) --167--

GLENDALE, Calif. -- After weeks and weeks of bullcrap, moving and holiday nonsense, got up this morning and put some work in. This was the first run from the new house and I've got to say I enjoy this neighborhood for running, perhaps more than Los Feliz.

There's no traffic. You can even run in the street if you like. There's hills and interesting terrain everywhere. Plus there's a huge park to explore. We'll leave that for another day.

Basically just ran down to the little village, down to a street called Allen, up the hill, which was quite a good push, and then back with a loop around the block toward the end. Ended up exactly a 5K on mapmyrun. This place has got some great hills. Very little of the run is perfectly flat...always a gentle up and down.

All in all, a great morning run and a great feeling to be back in the saddle. Considering the length of the layoff, this one went surprisingly well.

5K - Turkey Trot - (O)

LONG BEACH, Calif. -- What a day. My favorite running event in terms of tradition and I hope it lasts for years to come. Met up with Phil, Vivian, Andrew, Tony, JDP and Beckster for the 4th Annual Reed/Hudson/JDP 5K Turkey Trot.

This is the first time in a race I've gotten off to a good start. Two starting areas led to me getting to run without being stuck in a crowd. Ran into JDP and Drew in the first quarter and showed off the Team Turbo shirt. Hung around with them and couldn't believe how open the course was. First mile at 7:40 for crying out loud. Usually I'm getting 20 and 30 second dings in that first mile.

Still hung with JDP by the turn and was very surprised that my legs and all still felt strong. Picked up the pace here and there. Actually pulled ahead of JDP for much of the back stretch. I still just kept feeling great and basically just thought the end was close so I pushed the pace. I could hear some rapid footfalls behind me, so I had a hunch JDP was on my tail. Knowing he has an extraordinary kick, I had already put the odds of him blowing past me at the finish at about 4 to 1. So I thought (as any good team member should) maybe I could earn him a few seconds in the last mile while he tailed.

Hit a nice stride and just picked people off left and right despite the crowd of runners on the left side of the path. This race finishes in a different spot each year, so I tried to figure where it was going. We ended up going up the ramp and to the left of the pool complex, so I kicked it in to about 90 percent as I still couldn't see the finish. Not surprisingly, JDP blows past like I'm standing still (he must have sub-4 min speed in those legs) but pulls off his turbos as the path took a slight turn. So I pull ahead again. We take another turn, JDP again blows past at unreal speed. But again, no finish in sight. So now I'm thinking that I'll just hang with him and spare myself the ordeal of him passing me for a third time.

I say, "Lead us in, Turbo."
He says, "No. Nope. I'm done."

He'd ended up burning out his jets a bit early. So I pulled ahead, spied the finish, kicked in to 100 and ended up with a 23:40 (which for those keeping score is the same as last year, after a month off of running my best times). Considering I've had three runs and no bikes in a month, I was pleased as punch. Tony, who used this course as his first run ever four years ago and has since turned into a star CC'er and track runner, pulled a sub-20 and brushed it off just like only a 17-year-old can.

Beck ran like a hero and put in a 33. They'll be plenty more to hear from this bird in the future. All guts, all the time.

And, we got to enjoy the post race festivities at Phil's. So rad. I love this race and I'm glad I put in a good one this year. It's the greatest way to start a holiday...friends, a little exercise and boatloads of coffee and food. And a few dozen Pre quotes don't hurt neither.

4 Mile Run (O) --163 --

SAN FRANCISCO -- Awesome. This was four miles from the hotel atop Nob Hill down to the bay, near that chocolate company building. Saw the Golden Gate in the fog...barely. Really foggy out there.

Great run. Can't say how surprised I was by that. Absolutely bounding up the hill...had to be 200 or 300 feet up total on the last hike back up to the hotel. Really surprising. Really awesome. Just what the doctor ordered. Haven't done much since Chicago due to the toxic air around here and then a subsequent mental funk.

SF is great running. Let there be no doubt.

5 Mile Run (BA)

CHICAGO -- Expecting to put in two or three runs, this was a fairly disappointing performance over the weekend...but the body just didn't want to go, so I played it safe.

Still, waiting until Monday morning, I remained with the blahs and didn't set the world on fire with my run along side the proud legs of Craig. As it turns out, I crapped out partway through thinking I had done around three. MapMyRun put it right near 5, and I ran three quarters of the rest of the 7 mile loop, so 5 is fair as a result.

It really made no difference as there just wasn't the spark I usually get from a run. It was a nice day, hardly any wind, fine temperature...just couldn't get the mental game going. I've been groggy for a few days now...since Saturday afternoon. Might get some tennis in later today, but I might just skip it, too. Might have just slipped a gear somewhere along the line.

All in all, I'm glad I got the run in. I'd hate to have been in Chicago and done nothing.

60 Min Bike (A) --167--

COMMONWEALTH -- Rocked out an hour in the living room, this time later with Maggie already in bed. Took in a special on Food Network HD on Corned Beef and then the last half of a rerun of Project Runway. I'm in denial about Top Chef being gone, so I'm trying to rekindle that loving feeling with pretty much anything Bravo puts on. Except, well, most of the things Bravo puts on. Really bad movies.

Feeling stronger each time, but who knows.

60 Min Bike/4 Mile Run (AA) --164.5--

L.A. RIVER/LOS FELIZ BLVD. -- It's a rare opportunity to try something new with running, which makes it always a fairly pleasant experience. Thanks to some poor planning on my part, I didn't get anything in yesterday. So I thought, "Well, we'll do 'em both tomorrow."

Hopped on the bike (pumped up the tires more...definitely way underinflated last time) and went out for a spin. Ended up biting it again with the same mistake, right foot uncleat leads to left side owwie. This time at a four-way stop on Rowena and Griffith. I hit the stop a shade before this Mercedes, but I treated it like I was in a car, so I just started out...and he started out. Realizing that if we came to blows in this disagreement I was not in the safety of side-curtain airbags or much else, I stopped quick. But...like a dumb bunny, I was cleated in. No bother. I'll just lie here for a bit.

That all faded into the rearview as this ride was great. Lotsa folks out today...Sunday at 11a. Sunny and mild. Perfect weather. I ended up staying in the big gear the whole time this ride (unlike last time) and really tried to focus on my "stride" during the long stretches of open and, mostly, flat. It was great.

One nice part was actually getting passed. There was one hoss out there today and he snuck up on me and passed. The cool part was, I got to watch his stride and his gearing, where his knees where, how his feet looked...everything. It was cool. He was obviously pretty good, judging by his rad outfit, insanely expensive looking bike (everything was sparkling despite the age of the bike...like he cleaned each part and taken it apart many, many, many times to upgrade gear.) Plus he was really going quick and making it look easy. I love seeing people like that.

So the bike closes out and I'm thinking about the run. I get some water, change shoes and shorts and head out. So weird running after biking for that long. It's like your legs don't really remember the right stride...like getting off a boat after a few days. Plus, you end up running way too quick because you're trying to keep that same wind feel and scenery roll, I guess. I caught myself at a red light and realized I was practically panting to catch my breath.

As I adjusted the speed, it occured to me that it's pretty hard to judge your speed after a bike, too. I guess I usually judge my early run speed by my stride and general heart rate. But I couldn't feel my stride as normal and certainly was pretty much numb to feeling what my cardio effort was. Really cool though. Bank said it was 72 and simply beautiful day for a run. It was like heading into the second hour of a run...but without nearly the fatigue. The legs felt spent, but in different areas than needed to run. Kinda cool. I just kinda got lost feeling the run for the first half.

Inspired by two runners in front of me, I felt confident enough to finally find my pace, dust 'em up a hill and get to work. Really surprised at how good I was feeling. It was seriously like being shot out of a cannon into a much better running body. It felt like the old days of 10 mile runs being easy as pie. There were some penalties, however. By the bottom of Vermont, my legs felt like they were kind of puffy, like swelled up and heavy. Being new to this sphere, I figured it best to avoid injury and walk...perhaps walk it in even. Another surprise: not 10 seconds after walking a few steps, it's like the legs just emptied and felt (relatively) fresh. So I bounded up the hill and down Hillhurst and then felt the heaviness as I headed up Commonwealth. Another 15 seconds and felt good again. Weird. Finished it out as usual.

Felt very tired by the end, but strong. And as time went on, my opinion of this run grew exponentially...from, "Hey, got it done" to "That was pretty fun, actually."

I'm going to go eat my ass off.

60 Min Bike (A) --168--

COMMONWEALTH -- A pretty standard go of it during the last Top Chef of the season. Fortunately, the Real Housewives of Orange County -- a show I wouldn't admit liking, even under oath -- starts up here right quick, I think. That should be a good one to bike through.

The push today was AOK. Nothing much other than focusing on the spin until commercials, where I'd shift down and try to kick my own ass. Maggie slept as usual without complaint.

Got through pretty swell. Felt like a million bucks. Hoping to get a seriously solid run in on Friday and a seriously rad bike on Saturday. Love to mix in some tennis somewhere in there, too.

0 Mile/Min

COMMONWEALTH -- Breaking an unwritten rule here of posting to this without a workout of any kind...

...but I just dug a piece of gravel out of my hand that has been there since spilling on my bike.

Rad.

4 Mile Run (A-) --166.5--

LOS FELIZ HILLS -- Weird run. Went out on the hills course as I was getting burnt on the Blvd and hadn't done a steep hill in a while.

So I sped it up. Really got up those hills better than I remember I could, especially at this stage. Clock said 83 degrees...it was sunny in the early evening. I wasn't well hydrated.

All these things and still it felt somewhat easy. And unlike other times when I've thrived on that, I got kinda pissed off. I have no idea why. I just blew through the run and kind of just promised to forget it even happened.

But why? The mysteries of this game.

60 Min Bike (A+) --168--

LA RIVER -- Beautiful day for a bike, run or anything outdoors. Mild weather, crisp blue skies and lotsa folks out on the trail.

Gotta get used to all this stuff. Gotta figure it all out. What a good ride is. What gears I should be in. What is 'fast' and what is not.

One more lesson today...one I hadn't had much trouble with since the guy at the store tipped me off. I got my right foot uncleated but had too much lean in the other direction and ended up biting the sidewalk. A little kid walking past with his mother took a great amount of amusement in it, which I thought was pretty awesome. I learn a lesson, he gets a chuckle. Everyone wins.

Generally an awesome morning outing. Toward the south turnabout, some guy was right on my tail. I went further down to turn around and he just blazed off. he must have been .25 mile or more ahead of me by the time I got to Los Feliz Blvd again. But his pedaling looked effortless. Not fast. That was another impressive experience. There are people out there who are really fast. And I'm not one of them. No one passed me today (though that guy would have) and I caught a couple rec leaguers...but a tough lesson of 'putus backus inmyplacus' is coming and will likely be repeated a thousand times in the coming months

75 Min Bike (A+) --169.5--

COMMONWEALTH -- Another Wednesday night, another Top Chef and bike in the living room. But this was the finale, so I've got next week's reunion and then I need to find another show to bike through.

Maybe playoff baseball?

Bike went great. I put the new tube in Monday night and it seems to work. Patched the old one and had fun doing that. So I can't wait to see what will happen to the bike next that I can not know how to fix without calling for help.

But the biking part of the bike went great today. My legs are either really firming up to the task or I'm just getting better at pacing. Who knows. I really felt like I was pushing it for most of the duration. Who knows.

But another few miles into the pegs and endless love for all.

4 Mile Run (A-) --167.5--

LOS FELIZ -- Ran the Blvd route to a miserable conclusion. It was in the wake of an ill-advised lunch of chicken sandwich and slaw at about 2p. The run took place at around 4p. Dumb.

In addition, it was fairly warm, with the bank therm at 89 degrees with full sun blazing. Dry. Hot. Bent. It actually went better than expected for the first 3.5 miles of slog (not a quick pace, I'll venture) but was a mess for the last mile. Mind, body and spirit all running in different directions. Bad juju. Bad run generally. But it happened. So there it is. You gotta have them here and there.

45 Min Bike (AA) --168.5--

LOS ANGELES RIVER -- So there's that.

Pulled up my skirt and set out for a real bike. The second actual ride of any consequence on the mean streets.

The LA River Path is awesome. Miles of open blacktop with surprisingly good scenery...the hills of Burbank, Griffith Park and Glendale/Pasadena all around. And the downtown skyline on the return trip south.

The bikers on the path even give a friendly nod and wave. Love it. Felt great the whole time. Just flying (compared to running, that is) along and enjoying it. Started south from Los Feliz and warmed up. Funny thing about the path during that time of day is there are a handful of cyclists, some city workers and some vagrants with bikes. A great mix of folks all enjoying the day.

One of these folks was an ex-con doing his community service by hacking up weeds along the path. So I come flying by him at speed in my little helmet and shorts and my brand new bike and see the glimmer in his eye as he considers lopping my head off with the machete he's carrying.

So I hit the end and head back north, enjoying what must have been 20 minutes of nonstop movement. Awesome. Hit the north end (past the 134, practically in Burbank) and start back.


Anywho, as the love cycling and all things wheeled is seeping in and my underlying dread of bike-related catastrophe is fading...I notice the ride south is considerably harder than the ride north. The wind seems to be stiffer...so I hunker down. But this seems silly. It's much, much harder. Then I notice it's more bumpy. Then I notice, my back tire is flattening. Then I get off and see it's completely flat.

Then I attempt to use all the tools that I don't know how to use (pump, tire tool, inner tube) and laugh as I realize this is the back tire. I have no idea (even if I could use these tools) how to remove the tire.

So I grab my cell phone, which I brilliantly took with...and called the Beckster for help. Walk back to a spot near the zoo, put the bike in the car. It's almost unbelievable that this tiny, stupid like sand-burr thing flattened a tire. Ugh.
Just about to learn how to change tires. Knew it would happen...wished it wasn't today. The problem with starting new things after you've done another such thing for a long time is knowing how many tough lessons you'll be learning in the days, weeks and months to come. Lesson two (first was how much drivers suck) is under my belt. A few hundred more (hopefully none involve crashing) and I'll be a real biker.

At least my knees are happy.

45 Min Bike (A) --169--

COMMONWEALTH -- Another bike in the living room, this time to the USC/Washington game while Maggie slept. Coolio.

Going to aim at getting a ride in tomorrow on the LA River Bike Trail. We'll see if it happens, though. No reason it shouldn't, but Beck is starting her running club thing tomorrow, so who knows.

Would have done an hour, but thought it better to hold off in case the ride window comes in 10 hours from now. Prolly tomorrow night, though. It will be very, very good to get out for real again.

5K Run (A)

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. -- Ran a little 5K on what might be the worst treadmill I can imagine. It wasn't a cheap machine...it just had a weird feature of kind of stopping in the middle of the each foot strike. I don't know if that was supposed to simulate running outdoors or something, but I hated it.

5K -- 25:23 (8:11/mile)

Took a 10 minute or so swim afterward, as well.

60 Min -- BIKE (A) --168.5--

COMMONWEALTH -- Another Top Chef Wednesday spent pedaling in the living room. With Beck back at work, I have to make sure the wee one is off to the races herself before I can hop on the bike. So it takes a little planning.

This hour on the bike seemed much easier physically. I wonder if that was because I rode "smarter" or if I'm just developing a form and understanding the gearing a bit more. It seemed like I pushed hard from time to time (commercial breaks.) Lotsa sweat. Blew through my water bottle. Moved the dammm thing all the way across the living room (need to get little door stops to help hold the thing in place.)

Maggster loves the sound of the bike. It puts her right off to sleep. This is a pretty cool tradition. I get to watch a show I have fallen profoundly in love with, the kid gets some shuteye and my legs get a few miles tossed into them. Someday (playoffs? October?) maybe I can hit up a whole baseball game on that thing.

My ass needs some serious toughening up by then. Jeez bike seats don't give you much other than agony.

5 Mile Run **RUN HIT REMIX** (A+) --167--

LOS ANGELES -- Another year, another awesome Nike Run Hit Remix. This year it was MC Hammer, Naughty by Nature, Dawn from En Vogue, Sir Mix A Lot and the Sugar Hill Gang.



It was something around a 41:40 depending on the chip time. Might have some more pics, grafs and other fun depending on how Nike comes through on their promises ofwacky stuff...so stay tuned. I'm pretty pumped that this blog is now really getting to a point where I can use it to compare years to other years. So congrats to my dumb ass for sticking to something for more than two months.

On the run front, it was pretty standard. It was an extraodinarily well run event. Much, much better than past years...and the past two years were great. There was no jam at the start...clear sailing the whole way. Incredible that I was like three minutes slower this year...wonder what the time would have been last year given the same clear course.

Less turns this year. No frat row. Turns out that was fine with me. We ran from the Coliseum to Staples and back, then right on Exposition, then to the stadium tunnel. Same awesome finish on the field. Same rad VIP tent.

I have to say, I likely paid a slight price for the strong run on Thursday. But balls to all that. I'm in no shape to really be concerned about the time. And honestly, I have to say I think I ran within two or three minutes of the best I could have run at this point, which is a decent performance in my competitive context.

So the legs were a bit dodgy at first, but dusted off. After the turn, felt a bit stronger and...no lying...I owe the Sugarhill Gang at least 1:15 as the words, "Huh, huh, huh, huh...it's like a jungle sometimes it makes me wonder how I keep from goin' undah" rolled across the course. How freaking awesome. I really felt like there were two "Smithsonian" moments...one being this. "Don't push me, cuz I'm close to the...edge...I'm trying not to lose my head. He-huh-huh-huh." With that wind at my back, it was just a matter of getting to the last water (I was pretty under-hydrated...that nasty feeling of both having to take a leak AND being parched.) And then simply finishing it out as we passed Sir Mix A Lot. I'd rather seen Positive K...no offense, SMALs.

Some oatmeal, some pineapple, some chips, a banana and tons of water (still never hit the can, which should prove the lack of hydro beyond a reasonable doubt) and then met up with the team in the VIP tent thanks to JDP's cousin.

MC Hammer was honestly somewhat impressive as a person. The second Smithy came when he signed one of his dolls that someone passed up to the stage...still in the box. He took a shot at the people who trashed him for selling out and now can't wait to line up vodka, clothes and Vitamin Water deals. Really cool.

"Yeah, I'll sign this thing. Because I'm proud of it," he said.

It struck me that his music was making everyone really happy (of course, lots of runners with food after a race isn't hard to get smiling). This is what pop music used to be about as late as 1990 or whatever. He was a huge "hip hop" star, somewhat trendsetting beats and decent lyrics...and it was all revolving around positive stuff. I never really thought of that. And he hasn't changed a bit or gotten bitter or tried to be something he's not (in the end.) He's just MC Hammer and his band of arm flailing dancers, busting out the craziest moves in manic bursts of fury, with feet moving all over the place at all times. It's Oakland still, and it's weird. But it definitely isn't fake. Which is saying something because this whole time I thought he was the biggest phoney...instead, it's the guys just trying to be real. Sorry to get too serious about it, but it was surprisingly touching. I still don't really care for his music...and the real reason he flamed out was he just wasn't cutting edge anymore. It all passed him by.

But watching him sign that doll was bananas. It was like on Northern Exposure when the ex-PGA guy who blew the Masters gets his chance as a chimney sweep to make the same putt he missed in another lifetime. Loved it.

Another cool thing...I got to give my medal to the Maggster.

6 Mile Run (AA) -- 165--

LOS FELIZ -- Using some clever route extensions (going back and forth on the streets between Hillhurst and Commonwealth while going south on Hillhurst from Ambrose to Franklin) we turned the normal route into a sixer.

Originally, I set out to do a bit over five just to get used to the distance for Saturday. But I just felt great and kept going. Honestly, I could have gone a mile or so further, I think. Those are nice days. I even chased a guy down on the last hill. Picked up more than half a block on him in about a quarter mile. Not bad.

Legs feel great. I have to say the bike is a great way to get some work on the legs without blowing them out or wrecking 'em. I felt more energy and spark in my legs tonight than I would have if I'd done nothing, I'd say.

Also...I think I'm right about the weight thing...five pounds less than 24 hours ago? Running really pulls weight off you, while the bike -- at least in this moderate range of an hour of activity -- seems to be much more gentle. Also a major benefit in terms of getting rides in during "off" days from running.

60 MIN BIKE (A) -- 170--

COMMONWEALTH -- Top Chef was on, and CJ got bounced...so it was a good thing I bought that thing that turns your road bike into a stationary bike.

Hopped on, pedalled for a long time, hopped off. It's incredible how much you sweat during a bike...but you also seem to retain much more water in a weird way. Like you never get that deep drying out of a similar length run, but you are incredibly thirsty. I just can't explain the additional weight any other way. Plus I didn't feel at all faint or parched when I was done.

I was tired though. My legs are certainly not in Tour de Awesome form. But they will be if I stick to it. It's funny...an hour on the treadmill is a serious commitment...an hour on the bike was a serious annoyance, but not a major crimp in the day. This biking thing really seems to be kinda great. Knees don't hurt. Ankles aren't stiff. Feet aren't all chopped up. Ass was killing me.

6 Mile Run - (A) --165--

LOS FELIZ -- Took the Blvd plus Hollywood loop, which is just around 7 miles, but I cut the last mile out so as to be a good setup for the Nike run this weekend. Hurrah.

It wasn't easy either physically or mentally. But tacking on mileage is always a bit goofy and I'm attempting to avoid pushing too hard in the ramp up. Push slightly hard consistently as opposed to killing it here and there. It's my latest attempt to bite back at the injury bug.

I think I ran past a Nike sponsored running group. I really don't enjoy running with groups. Maybe I should try and get used to that. Might help with adjusting to race crowds?

5 Mile Run -- (AA)

LAS VEGAS -- Post Maxim Oasis party, we hit the sack at 2:30a. But at 6a, I was surprised to roll out of bed and get ready for a run. This is why I bring the running stuff on most trips...even if it isn't likely, sometimes you just find yourself wanting to run. And getting caught wanting to run without your gear is too much to take.

So anywho, I throw on the shoes in a haze and start out the door. My shoes didn't quite feel right, but I drank some water and got ready to just chart a course. Ended up just going up the strip past Treasure Island and looping back, with a few quick detours here and there.

By about mile .25, I realized I had forgotten to put in the foam inserts in my shoes. I usually take them out to let my shoes dry. But it had come too far to get up get going to stop and go back for that. So I accepted the coming blisters and shin pain.

Great run. Fun seeing people slogging back from all-night benders still in the same clothes and looking rough. Sun was up, very friendly running community despite the set up. I saw a few runners and without exception, they all gave the wave or nod.

Also ran into a Canuck who was running. Helped her with directions and chatted on the way back. It was good, too, because it helped me just leg it out without focusing on my stupid shoes that were tearing with their stitches into my feet.

Ended up feeling just great. Great. Only thing that kept this one from being an outstanding was my general lack of good running fitness AND those dammm inserts. Oww.

But awesome walking into a casino at 7a coated in sweat. People look at you like you're superhuman.

45 Mins -- BIKE -- (A) -- 169.5

LOS FELIZ -- There has been some activity in the past week that is not reflected here. Jumped rope for 30 mins or so on the deck on Monday-ish. And took a test ride on a bike on Wednesday. And then a little indoor bike last night.

Today, I took the Roubaix out for the first time for real. I'll look up the mileage and add later, but it was pretty cool. It's so much faster than running. You can really fly on flats and downhills. But strangely, uphill is actually worse than running. Not sure if it's just my lack of experience or what...but I could almost swear it's easier to run up the hills around here than bike.

I do need some serious experience before I say anything. Just some thoughts.

One thing I'm sure of...I hate cars. I hate drivers. They are, with some exceptions, a-holes. Bikers have it much worse than runners in that you have to deal with cars everywhere.

Another thing...I'm lucky to live in this hood...great hills, beautiful views and decent biking just out the front door. Eventually, I'll probably be packing things up and going to ocean for a long-haul ride...but for now, this is fine.

Legs feel great. No knee aches or ankle aches or really anything. Legs feel like I've been sitting around all day. Love that no impact.

4 Mile Run (A+) -- 166.5--

LOS FELIZ -- Ran a nice easy push on the first part of the loop. Really hot today. One of those days where the red ball on the thermometer is still floating alone at the top of the glass at 9pm.

It said it was 90 on the bank sign, but it might not have been quite that bad. Sun was halfway down...I'd say high 80s. 88. Ran well. Finished hard. Wicking.

Anywho, it was faster than the first two of this week. Thinking of limiting myself to three runs (including speed work) per week and limiting mileage. Then we'll fill in the blanks with cross training...bike, swim (eventually), jump rope, yoga, self-defense (hopefully! dammmm I miss karate.) This should not only limit the fatigue/overuse/whatever-the-hell-heel injuries, but improve the flexibility of the ankles and strengthen the quads to prevent injuries. It's all about the runs...but I've got to pace myself to make sure I don't hit a patch where I can't for weeks and months.

4 Mile Run (A) -- 166.5--

LOS FELIZ -- Got out there at dusk and put in another loop. Took it relatively easy, but was able to finish strong. Ended up feeling fairly worn out in the cool down, though.

Strange. But that's two in three days. So yeehaw. Maybe the Nike Run might actually happen.

4 Mile Run -- (A+) --167.5--

LOS FELIZ -- This started out as a real slog. Not even a run, but a jog. I set out to just get one in. And it was kind of cool to remember what it was like to be in not terribly great running shape. I was going through some of the same emotions that I used to feel on runs when I was doing 9 minute miles and the like.

Feel horrible. Feel comfortable. Feel incredible. Feel exhausted.

The nice thing is that by about the last 2/3rds of a mile, something clicked...hence the plus on the rating up there. A wee bit of strength and attitude returned on the last bit and I finished strong instead of dragging through the end.

3 Mile Run -- (A) --165--

LOS FELIZ -- After nearly a week with a cold, and weeks of travel and general malaise...here it was. An honest "let's go run" feeling. So I did it and cut it short after a nice little trot around the old loop. Could have finished the whole thing...and it is actually closer to 4 miles than 3, but rules are rules...but the better idea was to just take it easy after nearly 6 weeks of nothing.

Some things never change...some b**** (walking toward me, mind you) simply refused to move from my side of the sidewalk, earning my ne'er ending respect and a polite word or two as I passed.

Some things I'll never understand...I take 6 weeks away and lose 4.5 pounds? I certainly don't feel thinner. And I certainly don't look thinner. Guess that might be some rather useful muscle that went away...

dam.

4 Mile Run (AA) --169.5--

LOS FELIZ -- How about that. A great little run that happened on the spur of the moment after getting home from hip clothes shopping for the new job. Tigs went into extras trying to keep me from getting this one in, but I just decided to go out and do it.

From the first step, it felt great. Had a little hop in it. Pushed fairly hard the first half, with spurts in the second and the end, as well. Good stuff. Legs actually felt worked, so that's good.

Hoping to get some serious runs in while in Detroit. A whole week in hotels and whatnot...usually the recipe for lots of runs.

2 Mile Run (A+)

LOS FELIZ -- Got out for a shortie...the first post-Maggie's birth. Great and definitely needed. Quick and simple jaunt ended up longer than first planned.

4 Miles (A) --169.5--

LOS FELIZ -- Had a decent run going...pushed it a bit harder than usual and forced a tougher second half. I'm avoiding putting anything above an average rating because I just don't feel it yet. These runs all feel fine and in the hour or so after feel great. But there's just nothing impressive there yet.

Perhaps I'll need to get some more distance and get to that "better part of an hour" threshhold before it will click. But for now, I'm having good runs that are in the end only average.

4 Mile Run (A) --169.5--

LOS FELIZ -- Ran the hills course with the new stride strategy and it really burns the legs on those steep, long ones. But...it likely saves them more than running normally. Hard to tell.

Pushed on this one a bit. Really wiped out by the end. Temps were hovering right around 80.

If nothing else, the short hill strides and wide downhill strides give you a gameplan to think about and keeps the mind focused. So that's something.

Waiting to bust out of the average run category, but can't seem to. For now, it's just a matter of busting out some runs. Replaced the hard plastic insert in my right shoe and put the factory one in to see how it treats my heel, which has been a bit tender post-run. Not sure it made a difference, but I think I'll stick to this. That plastic one is worn out and might be doing more harm than good at this point.

4 Miles (A) --168--

LOS FELIZ -- Knocked out another Los Feliz loop in the AM. Felt good throughout. The new method for uphills and downhills seems to work by saving stamina for the end of the run.

Going to have to start tacking on some distance, but this is three runs in a week for the first time in months. Actually, the first time in 2007.

4 Mile Run (A) --169.5--

LOS FELIZ -- Hey, hey!

After shutting it down off and on for about six months, I'm fully back in the running game. The heel is still a bit tender although the doctor has assured me it is fine...though that was four months ago plus.

Anyway, the point is...back. I've run three times in the past week. Once here, once in Detroit and back here again this morning. That stupid job really killed the whole thing and packed a full 5 pounds on my frame. But I'm busting it off.

Depending on how life will be in the next few months, this could be a golden era. I'm working on adjusting my stride depending on grade, which has worked wonders so far.

Who gives a dammmmm? The runs are happening, Noah Sharrow has sent plans to run the Danish 4 Miler with me (asks if I can hang with 7:55 pace...incredibly, I'm pretty sure I can smoke that pace by mid-August. Here's hoping) and I will depending on how things shake out around here.

Running.