Terry's Worklog » Running

First run of the summer

Administrator — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 07:19:42 +0000

Ah — I survived my first timed run of the summer…barely. *grin*. It’s been 15 years since I’ve put the running shoes on and ran for time and thought that the Monmouth-Independence MiniMarathon (2.6 miles) would be a good one to start on. Now, I’ve only been running really, for about 2 months with any seriousness. Truth be told, I’d gotten back into it because of my Dad. He did a triathalon last year and I’d like to do one too.

So, for the last two months I’ve been getting myself back into running shape. At present, I’m averaging about 5 miles a day but these a jogging miles, not fast running miles. But today was about fast (or, as fast as I could go today). The goal was 17 minutes (i.e., to run better than 7 minute miles) and happily I did manage to do it. My final time was around 17:30 — though I was suffering at the end after running the first mile too fast. But it was fun. When I finished, I was a little queazy — definitely wobbly and at present — a little bit sorer than I thought I’d be, but all and all, a good first attempt. And a good learning attempt as I start working on training for my 10 ks later this summer. First lesson learned — pick a pace and stick to it — no matter what anyone else is doing.

Anyway — I hope everyone had a safe and happy 4th.

–TR

ALA Notes — Running in Anaheim

Administrator — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 20:11:00 +0000

Since ALA seems to shutdown around noon so folks can go and get some lunch, I decided to try my hand at getting a little run in before heading back. I’ve tried running in California before (mostly San Francisco), and the number of people and cars always foil me. I’m use to my afternoon runs in Corvallis where I run on the backroads around the university without having to deal with a single stop light or my 5-6 mile run in Independence where I might cross a single person on my jogging path.

Anyway, I dug out google maps and mapped out a 3.2 mile trek around Disneyland. Looking at the outlay of the roads, it appeared to have the fewest number of intersections. I figured, run it today and if it looks promising, running twice tomorrow morning. Well, it wasn’t bad. About 1/2 was uninterrupted save for dodging people — the other 1/2 had a few stops — about 6. That’s still more than I’d prefer, but not bad for the number of people in this general area — so I think that I’ll definitely loop it twice tomorrow. Of course, I’ll run earlier tomorrow — maybe 6 – 6:30. The weather isn’t bad here — but again, I’ve been running in weather closer to 70’s — I don’t think it’s that much hotter here but the air just feels heavy. Hopefully, running in the morning will be better.

–TR