Luke - 3.25

14' w/u, Beer Mile @ 7:20, 4' c/d.

Beer Miles with Budweiser are a lot easier than with other beers! After each beer there was 50-100 meters of feeling questionable, then the rest of the lap felt like I had 12oz of water in my stomach. I won, a guy I didn't know got second at 7:54, and Zack was third at 8 flat. The Japanese guy who got 28:32 last time got 27:01 this time (no penalty lap). Oh and a bit later five of us ran a 100m race, and I was third, proving that I have no speed whatsoever.

Steve - 3.2

30:05

Easy run on dirt/grass for most of the way. Still not quite back to normal yet. Might not be for a long time.

Luke - 5.5

5.5mi, 41:22 (7:31)

1.4-mile loop of Pre's Trail in 10:58. Legs are still really beat up from the race, I guess it'll take a bit longer than expected to recover. Should help that I'm on vacation the next two weeks!

James - 3

34:12

Ran home from college, but stupidly took my bag with me to class. I ran home, then threw my bag down near our place and ran 3 more complex laps. I was hoping it would feel great once I was free of it but that lasted about 10 seconds. Oh well, happy with the distance, though a bit sore now. Hope I recover okay.

Steve - 2.75

27

I was running at a track and sort of lost track of how many laps I did. I'm sure I did no less than 2.75 miles but probably at least 3. I'll stick with 2.75 though. I also exceeded a certain recent half marathon champion on this day.

Luke - 2.25

2.25mi, 19:57 (8:52)

One mile loop in 9:07.

The bottom of my left foot is bruised purple on my arch and my upper legs are pretty stiff, from the race. It's gonna take a couple days to recover from that effort I guess. Just as long as I'm good to go for this Friday's Beer Mile!

James - 2.8

~32:00

First attempt at a normal-speed run since my injury, which has mostly dissipated by now. Hoping to slowly increase back up to a regular mileage this week, being careful not to overshoot. 5 apartment complex laps.

Luke - 13.5

Rogue Run Half Marathon, 1:14:02, 1st place.

Zack and I traveled down to Southern Oregon on Saturday, about 3 hours from Eugene, along with Zack's girlfriend Erin and her dog Matilda. Picked up our packets in Medford real quick then headed to Ashland, where we walked around and picked up a pizza, then drove to Emigrant Lake where we would be camping for the night. We set up our tents and then ate pizza, played cards, and listened to the Oregon game on a portable radio. Didn't get to bed until almost 11. Right about the time we were all falling asleep we heard noises outside our tent; Zack thought it was me, I thought it was Matilda, and we got no response when Zack shined a flashlight and called out from inside the tent...so Zack went out and saw a couple big raccoons and Matilda chased them up a tree. Zack put away the dog food and stuff and we all went back to bed.

We woke up just before 6 and it was raining--it hadn't rained in over a month but today's forecast was for rain all day. We got everything packed up and left right when we'd planned, at 6:45. Erin drove us to the start while we had a little bit of food and pinned our numbers on and all that stuff. I had four gels, each with 40mg of caffeine, and I think that's all I ate before the race. By the time we got there, the rain had stopped, and the weather actually ended up being great until about halfway into the drive home. We were a bit early so we sat in the car for a bit, and then I jogged around a tiny amount and headed for the bathroom, then went straight to the start about ten minutes before go-time. They had lines on the ground before the start for people to line up behind according to their projected pace: 5:xx, 6:xx, etc. I stood up near the front and there was no one around. There were maybe a dozen people in front of the nine-minute pace line, so it looked like it'd be pretty back-heavy. Did talk to a couple people at the start, one guy that finished just in front of Zack at his last 10k who had a PR of about 1:21:high, a guy from right near Eugene who is pretty good and had a Eugene Running Company jersey on, and a guy with a Rogue Valley Runners jersey who looked fast (RVR has some real fast runners).

At the start I took off with the RVR guy, trying to stay relaxed. I asked him if he had a goal pace and he said he was going to start at about 6:00s and see how it felt. He asked me my goal and I said about 75, and at that point I was already pulling away a bit. I was on my own in front after just a couple minutes and I tried to settle into a pace I thought I could maybe keep up for 13 miles. I passed the first mile marker at 5:01 and said "Holy shit!" and then thought, okay, yeah, there's no way that's right. Zack said he was with someone with a GPS watch who said it was like 25 seconds short, so I'm guessing I was somewhere between 5:22 and 5:30. My A goal pace was 5:35, so it was a bit fast, but really I was just going by feel. Second mile was 5:33, but really with all these I don't know how accurate the marks were...I think my pace for the first ~5 miles anyway was pretty even. Was running by myself this whole time, and hit the next three miles in 5:26, 5:28, and 5:24, feeling pretty good. Wasn't sure if the mile markers were accurate or what, so I was thinking I could either finish at like 1:11:30 or they could "make up" the short miles at the end and I'd end up anywhere between 1:13 and 1:17. The next few miles had a couple rollers, and I was definitely working harder but still feeling pretty good. Splits 6-10 were 5:35, 5:19, 5:53, 5:04, and 5:45...obviously something was up with the markers. The other weird thing was that at the water stations they said that the first table at each station would be water and the second table would be electrolyte/sports drink...I figured it would be a Gatorade knockoff, but when I took some at about mile 6½ I got water and then what they said was electrolyte drink, but which was clear and tasted like water, with maybe a slightly salty aftertaste...I figured I'd just been handed water both times, but then at miles ~9 and ~10 I had the exact same experience...I don't know what the stuff was or if it had the same effect on me as a normal sports drink would have.

Anyway my plan was to run the first ten miles "strong" and then at the tenth mile marker I would "really go"...so when I hit the mile marker I picked it up and really tried to push, and definitely felt faster, but my split was 6:12. When I started the mile I'd hoped my time at eleven miles would be under an hour so that I could maybe break 1:12 (which would be insanely fast) but it was instead 60:44. I figured the split was long, of course, and kept pushing, and my next mile was 6:38. I was really hurting by the end of that mile, but I'm definitely guessing that was a "make-up" length for one of the earlier miles being short. My thirteenth mile I do think I slowed down, and it was 6:05. The last .1 was 34 seconds or so (I didn't hit my watch until after the finish line) for a total time of 1:14:02. I got my chip clipped off my shoe and got handed a dog-tag style medal, and by the time I turned around the Rogue Valley Runner guy was finishing, a few seconds in front of the Eugene Running Company guy. Turns out I'd only beaten them by 26 and 33 seconds! I probably had that much on them in the first two miles...anyway I'm really glad I was able to hold them off...that would have been pretty awful if one or both had gotten me at the line or something.

After that I pretty much went straight to the beer garden for my free pint of Caldera Amber. I actually kept my watch going so I know that I got my beer at about 1:16:30 and had it finished before 1:19, which I think is pretty good for a half-marathon and a pint.

Zack finished very well at 1:23:05, and I had another beer while he had his and then we waited around for a while for the awards. For what I consider my best win yet, I got what I consider my best prize yet: a free pair of Brooks running shoes from the local running store, and a fairly nice bottle of wine from one of the local breweries. The coupon for the shoes was comically large, like the giant checks they give out at golf tournaments (not that big, but still hefty). I talked to one of the race administrators and asked if the place was open today, and she said yes and gave me directions, so we went straight there, and it was closed, and is apparently always closed on Sundays. I'm pretty sure the lady I was talking to worked there, so that was a bit weird. I guess I'll give the place a call tomorrow and see if they can ship me a pair, otherwise I'll just hang onto it until next time I need to drive South.

After being disappointed by the shoe store we headed out to find lunch, and ended up stopping at a diner in Phoenix, Oregon, a crappy suburb of Medford. We had one of the worst brunches I've ever witnessed...the service was amazingly bad, and the food was probably even worse. Zack's food was somewhat okay, but Erin and I both felt sick afterward, her for a little while and me pretty much the rest of the day. I sat in the back seat on the way home and tried to sleep, and we got home a little before 5:00, somehow the whole trip taking less than 27 hours.

Weekly Mileage Totals, 9/18-9/24

Luke - 33.35 (6)
Chris - 9.45 (2)
James - 3.75 (2)
Steve - 1.5 (1)

48.05 miles in 11 runs by 4 runners.

Luke - 4.1

4.1mi, 36:07 (8:48)

Ran after dark with Erin and Zack. Took it real easy, about 9:30 pace on the way out and 8-minute pace on the way back. Zack and I did strides at the end.

James - 2

26:00

Mostly 5mph.

I wish I could have been in full health today because I'd been pissed off for about 18 straight hours, and would have run amazingly. I am angry that the state of Georgia executed an almost-certainly innocent man last night. I am angry that Obama is dropping bombs on 6 countries (beating Bush's 4). I'm glad Don't Ask Don't Tell was repealed, but annoyed that the issue has been so successfully separated from discussing the military's massively oppressive nature (including on grounds of orientation - remember the Abu Ghraib photos, trying to humiliate prisoners by putting them in "gay" poses?)

Somehow these things swarmed together at once. Helped by the running though I eventually got tired and went to a sleepy evening class.

Luke - 3.25

3.25mi, 24:48 (7:37)

Mile loops of 7:57 and 7:37, with Zack.

Luke - 8.75

8.75mi, 66:14 (7:34)

Fox Hollow with Zack. 8:16 up, 7:05 down.

James - 1.75

26:55

My right foot has been hurting since the day after my last run, 5 days ago. It's the ball, but then I can feel it in the left side and in my left knee when I walk on it. Been limping, not in pain, but noticably limping.

Not sure if this, even at 4mph, was a good idea, but I wanted to try it out. Trying all the usual stuff to get better, though could probably do with keeping off it more.

Luke - 4.25

4.25mi, 32:30 (7:38)

Mile loops of 7:51, 7:44, 7:43.

Chris - 3

28:12 - 9:24

Ran with Jeeni during lunch at work. She hasn't been running at all lately, so our pace was pretty slow. It's been a long time since I've done a training run with her though, so that was fun.

The volleyball team she helps coach is now 5-0 in league play!

Steve - 1.5

14:23

Ran a bit around the track at a slow pace in lane 5. Hadn't run for about a month, waiting till my foot heals. I've been cycling instead. It felt ok. We'll see how it goes.

Luke - 4.25

4.25mi, 33:23 (7:51)

Mile loops of 8:21, 7:59, and 7:41.

Chris - 6.45

51:57 - 8:03 pace

Jeez I'm getting slow so quickly! I'm glad I went on this run, the weather today has been perfect - low 70's and partly cloudy. It was a struggle here and there, but I managed to hold my pace well and finish strong. There were a lot of people/couples out on walks and runs and walking their dogs. I'm guessing since it was sorta nasty this past weekend that people are thinking they'd better enjoy the decent weather before it gets crappy out.

Luke - 8.75

8.75mi, 67:12 (7:40)

Fox Hollow. 7:15 up (fast!), 8:09 down (slow!). I fell on the way down, got a few holes in my hands (stigmata!) and some cuts on my legs (leg cuts!). Only surface injuries though, no bruises or back pain or anything, so it's totally fine.

Weekly Mileage Totals, 9/11-9/17

Luke - 53 (7)

Chris - 15.2 (4)

James - 7.4 (3)

75.6 miles in 14 runs by 3 runners.

Luke - 4.6

4.6 mi, 37:51 (8:13)

Short run on Ribbon Trail after a 76-hour workweek. Next week I only work 5:30-4 M-Th (my preferred schedule!) and then it's time to go down to Medford and kill me a half-marathon.

Chris - 3

23:09 - 7:43 pace

After staying up later last night, and spending most of the latter half of the day drinking with co-workers and Luke in Eugene, I didn't have a ton of energy for this run. I figured it'd be good to get out and sweat out the tiny hangover I had from being dehydrated. I was right - I felt better after I got done running and had something to eat and drink.

Luke - 10.4

10.4mi, 71:04 (6:50)

Ran to the 1.5-mile loop of Pre's Trail and did six miles in 36:53. The loops were 9:22, 9:23, 9:22, and 8:37. On the last one I wanted to go faster, and luckily for me I spotted a guy doing about 6:30 pace with about .6mi to go, and I'm always able to go faster when I'm running someone down.

James - 2.4

~27:00

Ran home from college, right leg really felt bad. Hope I bounce back again next week.

The calorie counter on gmap-pedometer tells me I burned 310 calories on this run. I checked it because Alison helped me figure out that I ate something like 3,600 calories today (fuck!) And I didn't finish several of the pieces of food! And didn't get a sweet tea at this place I really like to get sweet tea, and had a small burrito! We did do some walking and I walked to school but damn, I need to cut down.

Luke - 4.25

4.25mi, 35:19 (8:18)

Mile loops of 8:43, 8:31, and 8:11. Chris was down here in Eugene for the day for work, so I got drinks with him after work and then we got DoughCo...and I was feeling it a bit on the run. Didn't even look at my watch until I started writing this, just got the miles done. Tomorrow I don't work until 5:30, so I get an extra hour and a half of sleep. Unfortunately I'm about two and a half hours past my bedtime already.

Luke - 12

11.8mi, 95:47 (8:07)

Went the alternate route up Fox Hollow, then took Ridgeline up to the top of Mount Baldy, then back the same way. Was feeling pretty good on the way out, but was a bit slow on the way back...just under 8-minute pace on Rexius, but kept thinking each split would be faster than that and it just wasn't. Oh well.

Chris - 3

22:45 - 7:35 pace

My legs and energy were better today so I was able to push it a bit more. Same route as yesterday.

James - 3.5

10:26
~26:00
-------
~36:26

Quite far, but really another easy run, which I felt necessary, involving slow pace and a break.

I recently started drinking Muscle Milk, and just the other day I came across this hilarious passage in a new zine I've been reading called No Gods, No Mattress (it's anarcho traveller-kid stuff) (and a play on the phrase "No Gods, No Managers"):

montell and i also wrote a hiphop song about muscle milk. as epic bros, we are totally into weight lifting, surfing, punching, and motherfuckin' brotein. we are also vegan. we do not drink milk. but muscle milk could be more organic. it comes from within us all. encouraging one to shake one's musclemilk and make it go da-na, da-na is not encouraging one to go buy some bullshit product, but to tap into their inner muscle milk and fuckin' work it like we're at a dance club non-consentually taking photos of you, but we would not really do that. we would, however, reclaim the term musclemilk. we are tired of seeing it used in such a derogatory way. those truckers in that flying j parking lot who were shaking their musclemilk on their way to and from their rigs were doing it all wrong.

I don't understand it all, but I do like it's flow and gist! (For the record, the author, I am pretty sure, is white and female, and often writes about male harassment and racism, so I doubt there's anything questionable here. Without that context it might seem otherwise.)

Chris - 3

24:54 - 8:18 pace

Ran during lunch. My lower left calf is pretty sore and tight from the race, so I took it nice and easy. Weather is much cooler now - about 70* and cloudy during my run. I'm starting to get in the mood to play basketball and lift since the weather is getting cooler, so I'm going to have to try harder to stay running a bunch until the Run Like Hell 5k at the end of October in which I would like to set my new 5k PR.

Luke - 5.5

5.5mi, 40:39 (7:23)

1.4-mile loop of Pre's Trail in 10:18. First two miles were very very slow but after that it got a lot better and was fast and easy the rest of the way.

Luke - 8.25

13' w/u, 4mi@22:58 (5:45, 5:43, 5:44, 5:45), 22' c/d. All on Amazon.

The plan was w/u, 4mi@23', 1.5mi ez, 4mi@23', c/d. Stomach was bugging me a bit near the end of the fast part, but I'd planned a pit stop and water break between the two fast portions so I figured I'd be okay. After using the bathroom I was finishing up the rest of the easy section and my stomach started hurting a lot more. I considered bagging it but I felt better for the last 100m of the easy section so I started off hoping that it would stay manageable for four miles. I didn't even last 400 meters though, so I stopped at the quarter-mile mark and jogged home, which itself was a struggle.

Anyway it was good to get in those four fast miles.

James - 1.5

~16:00

The first time I've run 2 days in a row in I have no idea how long - possibly several years. I meant to start a few weeks ago. I intended to do an easy run to start the week after the last two big distances, but this was less than I intended (internal rebellions). I ran round the complex, running the perimeter of all the little nooks that I normally cut across to see what wonders I have been missing (yes, a complex of concrete at 1am does have hidden wonders).

Luke - 8

8mi, 59:22 (7:25)

1.6-mile loop in 11:50 and 1.4-mile loop in 10:13, with Zack. Started out real tight and tired, but 2-3 miles in it got a lot better and the rest of the run I felt quite spritely.

Chris - 6.2

Pints to Pasta 10k race

I haven't been running very much since Hood to Coast, so I didn't have high expectations for this race. I also had a great time at the wedding and reception last night, which included dancing, 4-5 beers and about 5 hours of sleep. Jeeni and I met Patrick at work at about 6am to drive to the Old Spaghetti Factory downtown, which is where the finish was and where the buses were taking people across the Willamette River to the Adidas headquarters next to the start. We got to the start about an hour before the race was scheduled to begin, so we walked over to the turf soccer field to sit down and relax for a bit. I had a bunch of water in the morning to try and hydrate more after drinking, so I ended up going to the bathroom 3 times before the race began.

I stood way back with Pat and Jeeni, so it took me about 2 minutes to reach the start line. The first mile is almost all downhill, so I figured I'd run that pretty quick. Here's a map of the course. When I ran this 10k 2 years ago and set my PR, I think I ran the first mile in 5:54 - I ran it in 6:38 this year. So after that I decided for sure to just enjoy the race and do my best. About a half mile after that my stomach knotted up and I got a pretty good sideache. That slowly subsided thankfully and I was able to concentrate on picking people off one by one. I passed a ton of people in the first mile, and continued to pass people as the race went on just because I had started so far back. That was kind of neat, I might do that again on purpose for my next race that has a large attendance. Before the race had started, we saw this Asian guy in a white tech tee with BRIGHT pink shorts and matching high socks. I mercifully passed him around mile 3 so I could keep my pride. Then I found another guy that had on gray ankle socks and was wearing a button up short sleeve shirt, and had his keys jangling in his pocket. I took great joy in passing him as well. Around mile 4 a volunteer was pointing people to turn left to go toward the waterfront, and I noticed right away that he was wearing blue nitrile gloves. What for you ask? Who the hell knows? Maybe he was scheduled to perform an enema right after the race, or inspect some elephant dung. At any rate, right before I passed him I said "nice gloves". I'm pretty witty you know. Miles 4 and 5 were a bit rough, the little energy I had to begin with was starting to subside...I had to switch to heel to toe a couple times to give my legs a little rest from my normal stride. With about a mile and a half left my stomach reared up again and I was wondering if I was going to need to throw up. I had to slow way down, and considered walking just to avoid that embarrassment, but thankfully it started feeling better after a half mile. Toward the end I passed a lady running in those barefoot running toe shoe/sock things...pretty impressive. For the last .2 I was able to loosen up a bit and stride out and catch a couple more people before the finish line for a final time of 45:38. I have to point out that this was the first race EVER that the final time was the exact same as the time I had on my watch.

After I finished I went to go grab some water and sip on that while I cooled down and waited for Patrick and Jeeni. While I was standing there, I happened to see non other than Some Running's own Zack walking toward me! So I called over to him and we chatted for a bit, it was good to see him and chit chat. He eventually headed off to find his gf Erin, who also ran in the race. Jeeni came through at 57:24, and Pat at 57:50. It was his first ever 10k, and he accomplished every goal he wanted to hit: run it in under an hour, not walk at all, and finish in the top half. We went to get our free beer and food (minus a beer for Jeeni) and then headed out.

Completely unrelated to this - I heard this song for the first time during H2C and think it's awesome. I know all of you don't listen to music like this (i.e. rap or Eminem) but give it at least one run through. The guy is pretty talented! Also while I'm writing I should tell ya that Jeeni hasn't posted yet because her old laptop died, and she's the assistant coach for Century High School's volleyball team. Her older sister is the head coach, and they recently started their league games. So sadly she hasn't had a ton of free time to run or post about her runs. Maybe once she finally posts Luke can write one of his witty bios for her, haha.

Weekly Mileage Totals, 9/4-9/10

Luke - 46 (6)

James - 13.8 (4)

Chris - 7.64 (2)

67.44 miles in 12 runs by 3 runners.

James - 3.7

~43:00

Another run that started hard, and followed drinking of beer and cider, so had low expectations. But then as I kept it steady, I found it easier, and got into a relaxed groove. Maybe the energy drinks I've been drinking helped, but I like to hope that I'm finally getting back to my England abilities where running isn't a constant physical pain (albeit slow). Exciting!

It also allowed me to get an unexpected new weekly record. Woo!

Luke - 6.5

6.5mi, 51:18 (7:53)

When I woke up my plantar fasciitis was terrible, I think perhaps from wearing my Mayflys for last night's workout. I could barely walk, but it got better throughout the day and by the time I ran I felt nothing. The rest of me was tight though, to start out, so the first couple miles were pretty slow. Finished feeling pretty fresh and did a couple pull-ups on the way back. Also it was 94º when I left. Also also the Ducks won by a lot. Also also also I am going to be working a lot this coming week, probably 6 or 7 days, starting tomorrow morning. So I gotta get some sleep!

Luke - 8

23' w/u, 5x800m, 400r: 2:31, 2:28, 2:29, 2:29, 2:24; 19' c/d.

First speedwork in a long time. Felt okay. Wasn't breathing all that heavily on the first four, but didn't notice that until I was wheezing mightily with 150m to go on the last one.

During my workout the South Eugene HS football team was playing, I believe their first game of the year...as I was running I heard the announcer say it was the end of the first quarter and the score was 25-6 visitors...then as I was finishing up and heading home it was halftime and I saw the scoreboard and it was 50-6. Go team.

Zack and I have signed up for The Rogue Run Half Marathon, which is September 25th. It is five hours South of here and entry includes tickets into the Jackson County Harvest Festival, which if you've ever watched Parks and Recreation you know should be awesome. We're going to drive down and stop at The Oregon Vortex, and camp out the night before...I'm really looking forward to it; the course looks great and it seems to be run well too. My August mileage should help me do well, and I'm getting a few speed workouts in before then too, to sharpen up.

Chris - 4.17

33:44 - 8:05 pace

Very hot again today, but I wanted to get in another run before the race on Sunday. My legs felt better than they did on Wednesday, but my energy wasn't great. The 90* plus temperature probably had a little something to do with that...

James - 4

37:03

That's a new distance record folks. It started out so badly and the preparation had not been good. Bad sleep, bad eating, all the stretching and pre-exercises didn't feel like they did much, but maybe they did. I just stayed at a steady 6.5mph and it became almost easy. Maybe watching Louie helped too.

Alison then made me feel less amazing by:

+ Telling me she did 2 and half hours on the elliptical machine.
+ Making me eat way too many beans afterwards. Toot.

Luke - 5.5

5.5mi, 40:46 (7:24)

1.4-mile loop of Pre's Trail in 10:28, with Zack.

Chris - 3.47

28:00 - 8:04 pace

I've only gone on one run since the Hood to Coast, so I decided I really need to get on the horse again - especially considering that I'm running in the 10k race Pints to Pasta this Sunday. It was around 95* out when I left the house, so I wasn't planning on running particularly hard. My legs felt pretty dead for most of the run, I think it was a good idea for me to get in a few runs before the 10k. Also...the race is the day after Jeeni and I are going to one of her best friends wedding, which will have an open bar. So it's going to be interesting to see how well I monitor my alcohol consumption and if I get anywhere close to enough sleep! Jeeni and I were considering not doing the race, but a coworker of ours has recently gotten into running and this will be his first 10k ever, so we obviously couldn't back out.

Luke - 8

8mi, 65:07 (8:08)

Drove up to the Fox Hollow parking lot and took Ridgeline West, to Blanton, then came back. I was going to keep going, out to Spring Street and back, but one, my stomach felt terrible, and two, there was unexpected construction that made the drive out there take almost a half hour instead of ten minutes, and since I was already a bit late leaving, it was getting dark (especially in the forest).

James - 2.8

24:36

Got really knackered on the way to a 5K and had to stop to get to college in time anyway. Watched some Fox News and MSNBC whilst running for my journalism class. Brain melted onto shoulder.

Luke - 8

8mi, 61:13 (7:39)

Both sides of Pre's Trail.

Luke - 10

10mi, 74:34 (7:27)

Went down to Pre's Trail and did the 1.4-mile loop in 10:43, then took the trail around the pond, then went over the river and over the railroad tracks and up the road behind Hendricks Park to the Ribbon Trail and back home.

Over the weekend Zack and I went up to Portland to watch the Duck game with some friends; I ended up not running at all on Sunday. This run went okay but I think if I had done three or four easy on Sunday it would've been better.

James - 3.3

28:43

It's been pretty quiet here lately. I only ran twice last week, the least in months, and there's been no-one else posting. I am pretty sure some of you at least are doing runs!

Weekly Mileage Totals, 8/28-9/3

Luke - 78.9 (7)

James - 5.1 (2)

84 miles in 9 runs by 2 runners.

Luke - 15

15mi, 1:47:54 (7:11)

Headed out to River Road with Zack for a long road run. First ten miles took it relatively easy, then tried to pick it up the last five. 57:10 (7:37 pace) for the first half (it was an out-and-back course) and 75:21 (7:31 pace) at the point we picked it up, approximately 10 miles. Zack wanted to gradually accelerate to about 6:15 pace and I wanted to just go fast from the get go and see what pace it ended up being. My stomach was hurting a bit and it really started affecting me a little over a mile into the fast section. There were mile markers, but we didn't start exactly at one of them so we got reminders of pace but not an overall exact report. My first recorded mile of the fast section was 6:33 and I was hurting not just from my stomach but also my eyes--it was getting pretty hot and the sun was relentless out there, and I'd gone shirtless so I wasn't able to really wipe the sweat out of my eyes, so it was just constant discomfort from that. My next mile was 7:09 as my stomach really started cramping up, and Zack passed me right around there. About a half a mile later I had to stop, and just standing there for a minute helped a ton, and I was able to pick it up from there. It still hurt a bit, but I could see Zack way off in the distance (it's a pretty straight road) which was good motivation. My next mile split was 6:58 because half of it was before stopping and half was after; the next one was 5:49 and I caught Zack right after that. My overall pace for the last five miles was right about 6:30, which is all right under the conditions.

Luke - 4.25

Three mile loops with Zack...might have the splits somewhere, but I think I'll have to check with Zack and update this later. Something like 7:50 pace anyway.

James - 3.1

28:00

Just before this run I found info about another 5K, in Tampa, in November - in a newspaper that someone left in the toilet at college. It's fate, surely?

Luke - 5.25

5.25mi, 42:49 (8:09)

Mile loops of 8:28, 8:09, 8:08, and 7:48, with Zack.