December 8th, Sunday

“All International athletes wake up in the morning feeling tired and go to bed feeling very tired.”   Brendan Foster

The sun was setting as I ventured out along the neighborhood streets for what I anticipated to be a short run.   The temperature was in the upper thirties and falling, but I was bundled up pretty well. Because the last week has been a bit of a taper for my cancelled 5K on Saturday, my legs were lite today.  My body warmed up as I ran progressive miles starting at about 12 minutes and completing the last half mile at 9:51 pace.   The total time for the.  4.53 miles was 54:16.  I rate it as a good run.

Stats-

Weight = 149.5lb after run

Diet = 9

Sleep = 8+ daily

a.m.HR = 54 BPM

Foot indexes are @ 1/2 !!

December 7, Saturday

BAH HUMBUG!

Well, I punked out of the 5k Santa Run today.  Actually slept ’till almost noon.  But I developed a really comprehensive rationale. It goes like this. I have been fighting a terrible head cold all week. Been to the doctor who assured me was nothing but a head cold and I would be okay if I ran. So I was still committed to run as of Thursday. I checked the weather forecast for Saturday morning and found it was going to be in the high 20s and probably the low 30th by race time.  I have not done a single workout in anything close to that temperature. But I convinced myself it would be an opportunity to run a fast time in brisk weather. That, after all, was the purpose of this 5K. Then last night I decided to check out the results of last year’s Santa run to see what kind of times were being recorded by old guys like me. That’s when I noticed pictures like the one above. It turns out that the Santa Run is literally a Santa run. Everybody has to wear a Santa suit. The race organizes give everybody a Santa suit. You can’t run the race without a Santa suit. Well, that may be very colorful and very jolly, but it does not lend itself to a fast 5k performance. So, on the basis of lack of seriousness,  I decided to pass on the Santa 5K.  The new plan is to run my 5K time trial on the Cinders on Tuesday in 60 degree temperature. I like my new plan.

December 2, Monday

Less hard core today

1 hour of work at the clubhouse

1 mile on treadmill at 1200

15 minutes of weights

2 miles on treadmill at 10:00

15 minutes water running

Not bad….

December 1, Sunday

THE PICTURES TELL THE STORY

Today’s post has three threads. The first involves the weather which was cold, wet and raw. Since I hadn’t run in a few days, I was determined to get out despite the despicable elements. I found my 40 year old Oakland Raiders rain poncho in the garage. I draped it over my layers of clothing and headed out to the cinder track. Thus, picture number one.

The second thread involves a very kind gentleman and my Bluetooth ear device. I wore the ear piece with intention of making a phone call while I ran. I hadn’t  spoken to Rich Refi since the North Hunterdon girls once again qualified for Nike Nationals by winning the Northeast regionals on Saturday. I also figured I could brag about how tough I was running in the harsh elements.  He didn’t respond to my call. So I forgot about it and continued running. There was one other runner on the cinder track this day. I thought he was pretty tough because he didn’t have rain gear on and was just getting soaked as he ran. As we passed on one lap this fellow stopped and told me he had found a Bluetooth device along the track and had placed it carefully under a leaf next to his water bottle right by my car. Thus pictures two and three, the kind  gentleman and my Bluetooth earpiece under a leaf.  I thought it was quite a unique picture of a gallant effort under difficult circumstances.  It seemed so cute.  🙂     I never got his name and he was still going when I left.

The third and least interesting part of this post is that I ran 3 miles in 37 minutes and 21 seconds with probably 14 pounds of clothes on.

I have registered for a 5K in Asbury Park on December 7th.

Stats –

Sleep last night …….12 hours.  I was in bed at 8:45 and never thought I would remain until morning at 8:45. I have been doing an excessive amount of driving in the last 3 days. I think driving wears me out. I guess I needed the rest because I felt pretty good today despite the elements.

All other stats very steady and in positive zones.