Training Log Archive: dlevine

Two laps of the trail. Would have done the short loop to finish, but it started to rain, it was 37F, and I was a bit chilled. Only three miles to go in my challenge (and only one day to do it) - should make it.

Time is an estimate based on trying to add little chunks. Headed out with a low tire and got to BJs. The "free" air pressure there completely flattened my tire without adding any air. Walked back to the office; Theresa called and wanted to join me. Her bike had no air, so we walked them to the gas station for "payable" air. Then off on the trail. By now it was getting cold and dark so she bagged after one loop. I had just discovered that if I want to complete the mileage challenge by Monday, I needed 34 more miles. AND, I had discovered that there were likely to be at most fifteen people who complete it. Since there are two random-draw completion prizes, a 2 in 15 shot at either a Kindle Fire or a small HD TV motivated me to continue for two more laps to get the mileage. Also, even though I am very much NOT in biking shape, I needed to get out my aggressions for the week of "small" things that went wrong causing me hours of lost work time (e.g. unexpectedly closed classrooms, new anti-virus software that removes - no quarantine - my student's program submissions, and financial aid scheduling a large public talk in my classroom during me exam). Ride wasn't so great from a physical point of view, but did wonders emotionally.

Time is an estimate because I didn't start the watch until after the "lane shift" at 500. When I was done I added in the time for the last 500 (same strokes/equipment) rounded up to the nearest minute.

Side note of frustration: To the three people in lanes 2 and 3. If you are going to finish only one lap between you during the first half hour of my workout, perhaps you should have that conversation somewhere else?

Upped the distance as I had made my time goal. Interestingly, but not surprisingly given what I added, I also made my new time goal, so it's up by another two laps on Thursday.

Best I've felt in a long time and intermediate splits suggest that I did NOT lose a lap...

Considering how I felt when I started, I'll take it.

American Brown Bear series Half Marathon

Okay, the "Y" calls it the Polar Bear series but the thermometer read 77F when I finished the race and no Polar Bear would be out in that!

The heat got to all sorts of folks (I heard that over a half dozen folks dropped out and needed heat-related first aid) including me. I had eaten too recently and my stomach was putting out a bit of heat as the race started - normally something that I like at a Polar Bear race, but not today. My goals were the same as last year: 1) Finish, 2) Beat someone who actually finishes, 3) Walk only at water stations, and 4) Run under 2:15. I knew that #4 was unlikely in the heat - I just didn't know how unlikely.

Mile 1: Big pack, going faster than I should, but I didn't know it. Leah Witherell caught me near the marker and said "Hi". She and I raced the last five miles together last year before she took off with about 100m to go, so I figured she was worth keeping an eye on. We were both a bit appalled at the time on our watches at the 1-mile mark. 9:23

Mile 2: Deliberately slowed down; also had a head wind for a while. 10:05.

Mile 3: Heat already getting to me; feeling a bit done in. 11:07

Mile 4: Goal #3 bites the dust as I walk a bit of the hill in the direct sun. The rest of the race will be walk/run. 12:34.

Miles 5, 6, 7: Long run/walk slog. I'm not as far behind some folks as I expect, e.g. Jim Miller is only ahead of me by eight minutes at the turnaround. Leah has about two minutes on me. 12:02, 12:55, and 13:10.

Miles 8, 9, 10: Feeling exhausted, but determined to finish albeit in my decrepit state. Catching a few folks who are walking even more than I am. 13:00, 12:47, 12:51

Mile 11: Only 5 km to go, so I tried to see how much I could run. Answer: not much. 12:29

Mile 12: Paid for mile 11. 14:14

Miles 13, 13.1: Tried to run the entire last eight blocks. Cramps snuck in with four blocks to go, but I toughed it out. 14:08 (12:50 pace).

Goals #1 and #2 achieved, but even twenty-four hours later, I am trashed.

Time is an estimate. I began by "losing" my goggles; fortunately one of the basketball players in the locker room spontaneously volunteered his. When I asked how I would get them back to him, he simply said, "I'll see you Tuesday." Now, the funny thing is that while I've seen this guy in the locker room for years, I don't even know his name. Pretty cool, though.

So, I did a "test lap" with his goggles and had issues of adjustment. Got that taken care of and took off - WITHOUT starting the watch. Started it at the end of the first set and time (and perceived effort) suggests that I was swimming well today. When I was done, I went into the locker room and my goggles were hanging on my lock. They must have gone flying when I opened my gym bag and one of the other basketball players found them after I was in the pool. He then attached them to my lock.

I have to drive to Buffalo for a meeting tonight; I hope that this isn't an omen about my day...

Campus loop with Phil Payne

Doubles (discounted) with John B., Steve B., and Jim.

I should be the best of this group, but I was off-kilter and outshone by John, who played better than I've ever seen him play. It didn't matter. We rotated partners and whoever had Jim lost by a significant margin. Still, at least I worked up a sweat.

I'm beginning to think that I "shorted" a lap on Tuesday. That day felt slow compared to other days and to today when I was almost a minute "slower".

Again in Raleigh with Fran (in the rain), but no one else as two folks wimped out on us due to the rain...

In Raleigh with Fran Trees (and Carl Alphonce!)

Pre-conference run in Raleigh. No place interesting to run so did lots of "around the blocks".