How can I compete with that?

Day 359 - August 30, 2008

My run today seems pretty insignificant compared to the 2500+ runs logged by the women today who raised over $250,000 $310,000 to benefit breast cancer research.



The women came in all shapes and sizes, from the youngest (age 5) to the oldest (age 79). No matter what their time or place, they all accomplished something that most people wouldn't even try. One by one and group by group, they filled the roads around Foxfield and united for a common cause.



But it wasn't all about charity. The area's best gave chase to be crowned Women's 4-miler champion. The lead pack consisted of 2 Olympic trials qualifiers, a Masters National 10K qualifier, and some of the fastest women in Virginia. In the end, 1 second separated first from second and a mere 8 seconds was the difference between winning and 4th place. That is one competitive race.

So, to all the women who finished the race today, I say congratulations!! You are an inspiration to all of us.

Day: 359 Time/Date: 3:50 PM 8/30/2008 Weather: Clear, 84F
Run: N Carnation-Davis Miles: 3.6 Time: 26:09 Pace: 7:16 min/mile
Miles to Date: 1174.2 Total Running Time: 144:42:32

Friday Night Run

Day 358 - August 29, 2008

The sun returned today after a 2 day vacation and warmed things up quite a bit. My legs were a little tired and I had lots to do tonight, so I opted for the quick three and a half mile standby. I'm trying to make that distance my short run to keep my weekly mileage up. We'll see if I can maintain that.

I just realized my post from last night didn't go through. Maybe it will work this time.

Day: 358 Time/Date: 6:30 PM 8/29/2008 Weather: Clear, 80F
Run: N Carnation-Davis Miles: 3.6 Time: 25:28 Pace: 7:04 min/mile
Miles to Date: 1170.6 Total Running Time: 144:16:23

When the rains come

Day 357 - August 28, 2008

On Tuesday, the weatherman said it was the driest August on record. A measly 0.2" of rain had fallen the entire month. When I finished my run tonight, I measured 5.5" of rain in our rain gauge that has been steadily filling since early yesterday morning. After a very dry summer, two consecutive days of running in the rain was kind of refreshing. The temperature has stayed warm enough that it is comfortable to be out in the rain, but cool enough that I don't need to shower - just kidding. I was thinking tonight that it is pretty amazing that after 357 consecutive days of running, I've only had to run in the rain a handful of times. When I went back to my log, I was surprised to find that I actually ran in rain, mist, freezing rain, sleet and snow a total of 27 times over the last 357 days. That is a lot more than I remember, especially since I know there were several days when I delayed my morning run because it was raining and waited for it to be drier in the evening. I wonder how many of those days I would have skipped if it wasn't for this streak?

Day: 356 Time/Date: 6:45 AM 8/27/2008 Weather: Rain, 73F
Run: E Daff Dam Loop Miles: 2.0 Time: 15:41 Pace: 7:50 min/mile
Miles to Date: 1161.6 Total Running Time: 143:10:29

Day: 357 Time/Date: 6:30 PM 8/28/2008 Weather: Rain, 70F
Run: Twin Lakes 5.4 Miles: 5.4 Time: 40:26 Pace: 7:29 min/mile
Miles to Date: 1167 Total Running Time: 143:50:55

Why sometimes you just have to do it

Day 355 - August 26, 2008

Tonight was another night where I just didn't want to run. It was a struggle to get out there. Once I got out on the road I was fine. My 2 mile safety run turned into a 3.7 mile random tour of the neighborhood. I'm looking forward to the long weekend coming up and the opportunity to get out and run some longer runs. Maybe there will even be some time to catch up on some rest!

Day: 354 Time/Date: 8:10 PM 8/25/2008 Weather: Indoors, 77F
Run: Treadmill Miles: 2.7 Time: 19:11 Pace: 7:06 min/mile
Miles to Date: 1155.9 Total Running Time: 142:27:41

Day: 355 Time/Date: 6:45 PM 8/26/2008 Weather: Cloudy, 73F
Run: Davis Run Miles: 3.7 Time: 27:07 Pace: 7:20 min/mile
Miles to Date: 1159.6 Total Running Time: 142:54:48

Nothing compared to yesterday

Day 353 - August 24, 2008

No excitement today - just an early morning run to get in a few miles with the father in-law before he and the kids head home later today.

Day: 353 Time/Date: 6:45 AM 8/24/2008 Weather: Clear, 68F
Run: Davis Run Miles: 3.3 Time: 27:58 Pace: 8:28 min/mile
Miles to Date: 1153.2 Total Running Time: 142:08:30

Death threats while running

Day 352 - August 23, 2008

Today was interesting - as I was about a mile from home, running with the wife, when this white Subaru came up from behind me and shouted some rather colorful language at us. Being the calm, pacifist type, I simply waved and thanked him for the comments.

Well, just like you, he apparently thought I gave him the one finger salute and he turned his car around, slammed on the brakes, and practically tripped over himself trying to get out of his car. Being the big man that he was, he pulls some kind of club/cane out of the car and threatens to beat me with it. Trying not to laugh, I told him to get back in his car and drive away before his fat ass had a heart attack. As you might imagine, he didn't take that well. But I guess I surprised him by not running away and he got back in his car after impressing me with all the 4 letter words he knew. I think there may have been a complete sentence in there somewhere, but it was hard to tell.

Of course, the moron didn't realize, that unlike most of his relatives, I could remember a 3 letter-4 number license plate and joyfully placed a phone call to the local law enforcement agency and filed a complaint. So, Mr. Happy Driver - I hope you enjoy your visit from the sheriff. I know I will.

Not bad - two weeks shy of a full year of running before anyone threatened to kill me. At this rate I guess I've got one or two more of these coming before the 1000 days are up.

Day: 351 Time/Date: 6:30 AM 8/22/2008 Weather: Clear, 56F
Run: Davis Run Miles: 3.3 Time: 28:27 Pace: 8:37 min/mile
Miles to Date: 1143.3 Total Running Time: 140:35:09

Day: 352 Time/Date: 7:00 AM 8/23/2008 Weather: Clear, 62F
Run: Davis Run Miles: 6.6 Time: 05:23 Pace: 9:54 min/mile
Miles to Date: 1149.9 Total Running Time: 141:40:32

Just not enough hours in the day to keep up with posting

Day 350 - August 21, 2008

Tonight I tried the triathlon approach to training. As soon as I finished dinner, I jumped on the bike for a quick 12 miles, then went out for my daily run. It took me a few minutes to get my running muscles to switch back into running mode. I really don't know how triathletes do it.

Day: 348 Time/Date: 8:00 PM 8/19/2008 Weather: Clear, 83F
Run: Amicus 2 Mile Miles: 2.0 Time: 14:35 Pace: 7:17 min/mile
Miles to Date: 1134.4 Total Running Time: 139:24:33

Day: 349 Time/Date: 6:40 AM 8/20/2008 Weather: Cloudy, 65F
Run: Amicus 2 Mile Miles: 2.0 Time: 15:10 Pace: 7:35 min/mile
Miles to Date: 1136.4 Total Running Time: 139:39:43

Day: 350 Time/Date: 7:50 PM 8/21/2008 Weather: Cloudy, 75F
Run: N Carnation-Davis Miles: 3.6 Time: 26:59 Pace: 7:30 min/mile
Miles to Date: 1140 Total Running Time: 140:06:42

Catching up

Day 347 - August 18, 2008

Here's a quick download from the last several days. This week is looking as busy as the past, so my posting may be, well, erratic.

Day: 341 Time/Date: 7:50 PM 8/11/2008 Weather: Indoors, 77F
Run: Treadmill Miles: 2.0 Time: 12:52 Pace: 6:26 min/mile
Miles to Date: 1112.2 Total Running Time: 136:35:35

Day: 342 Time/Date: 7:00 AM 8/13/2008 Weather: Cloudy, 60F
Run: N Carnation-Davis Miles: 3.6 Time: 25:56 Pace: 7:12 min/mile
Miles to Date: 1115.8 Total Running Time: 137:01:31

Day: 343 Time/Date: 8:15 PM 8/14/2008 Weather: Cloudy, 73F
Run: Dahlia Miles: 2.0 Time: 15:12 Pace: 7:36 min/mile
Miles to Date: 1117.8 Total Running Time: 137:16:43

Day: 344 Time/Date: 5:00 PM 8/15/2008 Weather: Rain, 78F
Run: 5 Hill 4.4 Miles: 4.4 Time: 32:09 Pace: 7:18 min/mile
Miles to Date: 1122.2 Total Running Time: 137:48:52

Day: 345 Time/Date: 9:00 AM 8/16/2008 Weather: Clear, 68F
Run: S Carnation, N Carnation-Davis Miles: 4.9 Time: 41:37 Pace: 8:30 min/mile
Miles to Date: 1127.1 Total Running Time: 138:30:29

Day: 346 Time/Date: 7:45 AM 8/17/2008 Weather: Clear, 57F
Run: Amicus 2 Mile Miles: 2.0 Time: 15:07 Pace: 7:34 min/mile
Miles to Date: 1129.1 Total Running Time: 138:45:36

Day: 347 Time/Date: 8/18/2008 6:50AM Weather: Clear, 59F
Run: Davis Run Miles: 3.3 Time: 24:22 Pace: 7:23 min/mile
Miles to Date: 1132.4 Total Running Time: 139:09:58

Slow but steady

Day 340 - August 11, 2008

There was nothing fast about today. The weather was cool, almost fall like. I guess staying up to watch that amazing Men's 4x100m freestyle left me a little tired. But man, was it worth it. Watch it here

What could be better than winning Gold and shoving it right in the face of those arrogant French frogs. I guess coming in second is a smashing when you are used to losing as the French are.

Day: 340 Time/Date: 6:45 AM 8/11/2008 Weather: Clear, 55F
Run: N Carnation-Davis Miles: 3.6 Time: 27:45 Pace: 7:43 min/mile
Miles to Date: 1110.2 Total Running Time: 136:22:43

Randomly running more than I intended

Day 339 - August 10, 2008

Today was another one of those days where I just had to go out and run. I really didn't feel like pushing myself after running and riding 30 miles yesterday, but my legs actually felt better after running. I guess this streak is good for something.

Day: 339 Time/Date: 11:15 AM 8/10/2008 Weather: Clear, 80F
Run: Random Miles Miles: 4.1 Time: 31:40 Pace: 7:43 min/mile
Miles to Date: 1106.6 Total Running Time: 135:54:58

Recovery Miles

Day 338 - August 9, 2008

It was a beautiful morning to run. The air was crystal clear and the temperature was near perfect. After running pretty hard last night, I took it slow today and just ran to get some miles in.

I also broke the 1100 mile mark. It took me 30 days to get from 1000 to 1100. I'm going to try and get to 1200 in less than 4 weeks. That shouldn't be too bold of a prediction. If I can push my 2 mile short runs out a little, and get in a longer run each week I should be fine.

Day: 338 Time/Date: 6:35 AM 8/9/2008 Weather: Clear, 60F
Run: Beazly Miles: 5.1 Time: 39:20 Pace: 7:43 min/mile
Miles to Date: 1102.5 Total Running Time: 135:23:18

Sometimes when you don't feel like running...

Day 337 - August 8, 2008

...you just have to go out and run anyway. My calves were sore from yesterday's double workout of running and riding and I really didn't want to run any farther or faster than I had to. But, after a typically slow first half mile, I started to loosen up, the pain started to go away, and my pace kept getting faster and faster. When all was said and done, my average pace had dipped below 7 minutes per mile. Is that fast - well, for me it is. Over the course of this streak, I've been averaging ~7:20/mile. I hope I can remember today's run over the next several weeks. As I ride more miles, I'm guessing I'm going to have sore calves quite often. I know I've let sore legs hold back my mileage lately.

Day: 337 Time/Date: 6:45 PM 8/8/2008 Weather: Clear, 88F
Run: N Carnation-Davis Miles: 3.6 Time: 25:05 Pace: 6:58 min/mile
Miles to Date: 1097.4 Total Running Time: 134:43:58

Run before a Ride

Day 336 - August 7, 2008

This week hasn't exactly gone as planned with craziness at work and gobs of stuff to do at home. But tonight I said it can all wait and went out for a short run and then immediately went out for a bike ride. The run wasn't much to brag about - just a couple of miles - but it got me warmed up for my ride. I've never done a multi-sport event (triathlon or biathlon) so it was cool to experience that transition. I'll probably do more of this as it gets closer to the cycling challenge and I get deeper into my training. But the run will always come first and the streak will continue - even past October 26th!

Day: 336 Time/Date: 7:20 PM 8/7/2008 Weather: Partly Cloudy, 90F
Run: Amicus 2 mile Miles: 2.0 Time: 14:45 Pace: 7:23 min/mile
Miles to Date: 1093.8 Total Running Time: 134:18:53

Dead Legs

Day 335 - August 6, 2008

Was that 4 or 40 miles I ran yesterday? My legs felt like lead this morning. I wasn't even a half mile into the run and I knew I had to cut it short. I'm sure I'm not getting enough sleep this week which isn't helping either. Maybe things will be a little more normal next week.

Day: 335 Time/Date: 6:45 AM 8/6/2008 Weather: Clear, 68F
Run: N Carnation-Davis Miles: 3.6 Time: 27:33 Pace: 7:39 min/mile
Miles to Date: 1091.8 Total Running Time: 134:04:08

Evening 4

Day 334 - August 5, 2008

Tonight was just about getting a run in and recording some miles. I really didn't even pay attention to the watch. In the end, it was a decent run for the middle of the week.

Day: 334 Time/Date: 7:30 PM 8/5/2008 Weather: Clear, 89F
Run: S Carnation-Davis Miles: 4.1 Time: 30:30 Pace: 7:26 min/mile
Miles to Date: 1088.2 Total Running Time: 133:36:35

Nice morning

Day 333 - August 4, 2008

Wow - 1/3 of the way to 1000. That didn't sink in until I sat down to record my run this morning. If the next 667 days are as nice as this morning, it will be a breeze. I had nice warm sunshine on a cool fall-like morning. Even with the late run yesterday, the miles were not that bad this morning. I even saw 4 deer out grazing in a field as I reached the turn around point. I really enjoy calm mornings like today. Wouldn't it be great if every Monday could start this way?


Day: 333 Time/Date: 7:00 AM 8/4/2008 Weather: Clear, 61F
Run: N Carnation-Davis Miles: 3.6 Time: 26:09 Pace: 7:16 min/mile
Miles to Date: 1084.1 Total Running Time: 133:06:05

Back from the whirlwind tour of Pennsylvania

Day 332 - August 3, 2008

Nothin' much to say - lots of driving and a little running. Just wanted to get my runs posted and up to date.


Day: 330 Time/Date: 6:25 AM 8/1/2008 Weather: Clear, 66F
Run: Amicus 2 mile Miles: 2.0 Time: 14:45 Pace: 7:23 min/mile
Miles to Date: 1074.5 Total Running Time: 131:54:10

Day: 331 Time/Date: 8:20 PM 8/2/2008 Weather: Clear, 60F
Run: Granville Center Miles: 2.5 Time: 18:58 Pace: 7:35 min/mile
Miles to Date: 1077 Total Running Time: 132:13:08

Day: 332 Time/Date: 8:40 PM 8/3/2008 Weather: Clear,78F
Run: Geranium Amicus Miles: 3.5 Time: 26:48 Pace: 7:39 min/mile
Miles to Date: 1080.5 Total Running Time: 132:39:56