Long Run

Another Saturday, another long run. This time around, I had a heck of a time getting out of bed. I ended up getting out the door at 6:30, which actually worked to my benefit. With the cool air, the sun didn't make it too hot, and I was able to leave the headlamp at home. I like the headlamp, I use it while backpacking, but when running it tends to bounce more than I'd like.

For breakfast prior to the run, I had two packages of Kashi GoLean hot cereal and a small apple. I had wanted a banana, but we were out of them. When I got back I ate a PB&J sanwich.

Same route as last week, the difference being A) I was fresher, and B) it wasn't raining. Holy cow, that was bad. It sprinkled a little bit around the 7-mile mark, but nothing like last week.

Last night I went to Fleet Feet to buy a couple more pairs of socks so I wouldn't be out of luck if the laundry hadn't been done. While there, I decided to check out some new energy gel, and found Accel Gel. Not only is it energy gel with lots of carbohydrates, but this brand also has protein. They claimed it was for recovery while working out, so I figured I'd give it a try.

I ate the Accel Gel at the midpoint, which unlike Powerbar Gel or even Gu, had a honey-like texture. I had the vanilla flavor, which didn't taste too bad.


A few hours after my run I did have a lot of gas. I'm not sure if it was the Accel Gel or the Kashi, but those were the only things I ate differently this morning. OK, onto the splits.



Splits
Mile 1: 9:30.28
Mile 2: 9:21.43
Mile 3: 9:26.08
Mile 4: 10:35.50
Mile 5: 10:29.08
Mile 6: 9:48.52
Mile 7: 10:25.20
Mile 8: 9:55.80
Mile 9: 10:09.76
Mile 10: 10:00.48
Mile 11: 10:29.85
Mile 12: 10:23.15
Mile 13: 11:25.19
Mile 14: 11:07.62
.03 Mile: :17.48

For splits, originally I was going to go for negative splits, with the idea that I'd do about 9:30 miles until halfway, and then push myself towards 9 by the end. Obviously that didn't work out, partly because I was vlogging midstream and had to stop a bit here and there to get the camera out. I did manage to keep around 10:00, give or take some.

The last few miles were a little slower, but I managed to finish without being completely exhausted.



Once back, I ate my sandwich, drank my Powerade Zero, and spent time with the kids. I played Mario Kart with my son, took a nap, then later, drove to Roseville to check out Whole Foods. Great store, I was quite impressed. We didn't buy a whole lot, but had a good time.

14.03 miles, 2:23.46, 1775 calories burned. About 8 dogs along the way: 3 lapdogs chasing me at the beginning, 3 dogs loose but on a walk with the owner at around 7.5 miles, and at the last approach down my street, a small lapdog and a huge rottweiler. None were trying to bite.

Weekday Run

What?!?! A second blog entry for the day?!?! Eh, who cares.

Another lunchtime run with Tim. This time, I decided to push it a little bit and see what he could handle. Whoops! I shouldn't have done that, and now I feel bad for him. He pooped out around 3 miles and we ended up walking quite a bit. We started back up again a few times, but we walked more than I would have liked. In the end though we were only a few minutes slower than the last time around.

To his credit, he didn't stop to walk until after 5k.



Splits
Mile 1: 8:46.45
Mile 2: 9:36.43
Mile 3: 10:08.18
Mile 4: 13:46.72
Mile 5: 14:40.87
.34 mi: 6:00.28



5.34 miles, 1:02:59, 618 calories burned, 11:47/mi average pace.

Long run in the morning! 14 miles, my goal is to run about 9:30/mi the first half, 9:00/mi the second half.

Halloween 2008

It's a little late, I know. With my computer virtually unusable, I had to find the time at work to upload the pictures.

It was tough getting the kids to stay still long enough to take their pictures. No real trick or treating this year, I got home later than I expected to, so we just took them to the mall, then to Grandma's house. They still had a good time.


Grandma loved spending time with the kids on Halloween. She said there weren't many kids who came over for some reason.


Gregory's school had a little Halloween festival during the day, so they were able to paint his face up. He loved being Spider-Man. BTW, Gregory is 6 now.


Jenny's 4, and was dressed up as a princess. Of course.


Joy's 3, and dressed up as Thomas the Tank Engine. She's really into Thomas, which is nice, because Gregory isn't anymore. So she inherited most of his Thomas stuff.


They all went right to bed the minute we got home. Gregory insisted on sleeping with his makeup on, so most of it wore off on the pillow by the next morning. I didn't see him until I got back from my run, after which I was soaking wet. I told them it was my own Halloween costume.

I hope all of you had a Happy Halloween!

Word of Wisdom

Word of wisdom: after running a 30-minute mile, I realized listening to the Chariots of Fire theme while running isn't a good idea. :)