8 mile long run

Today was a beautiful day here in Northeast Ohio, as I went out for a run around noon and the temperatures were in the low 70s and very sunny. I headed out to the towpath, for the first time in a while, and did an 8 mile run, heading north out of Brecksville.

It wasn't until I started running that I realized I forgot to use my inhaler, the results of which I noticed shortly afterwards, so I knew I was in for a hard run. Surprisingly, I finished the first mile in 7:52, but then there was a huge drop-off as the 2nd one took me 8:44, which is the pace I hovered around for most of the rest of the run.

Today was also the first time I used the new water bottle I bought. Since 8 miles isn't too crazy, I felt taking the Camelbak was a bit of an overkill, so I have a new 1 liter bottle with a zip-up cover that has a handle you wrap around your hand. I was worried it was going to be cumbersome, but it wasn't too hard to get used to running with. The only bad part about today's run (besides the lack of inhaler), was that everyone else (and their cousin) was out enjoying the nice weather, so the towpath was a little congested. I think I was passed by about 100 bikers today. But I suppose I should be happy that everyone is out enjoying nature and getting some good exercise.

Weekly Total: 17.44 miles

Half marathon training - Week 2 - Long run

I was lazy yesterday and did not get my long run for the week in, so I stretched the week out a day longer and got the run in today. Eight miles on the indoor track at the community fitness center.

Today we finally broke above freezing for the first time in almost a month. I can hardly wait to start running outside again. While at first I thought the indoor track was an improvement over a treadmill, I'm quickly learning that it's not. Tonight I had to dodge around people and/or objects close to a dozen times. At one point I had to yell at a kid to get off the track as he was playing catch with a football, in the middle of the track lanes. Also, during the last 200m of my run, a volleyball ran out onto the track right in front of me, and I had to leap to avoid it, which caused a sharp pain to go through my left calf. I was not happy.

Weekly Total: 17 miles
2007 Yearly Total: 80.2 miles