First Rain Run

I always look forward to autumn and running in the rain.  Well, we don't have much of an autumn in California and certainly get only a little rain, but I can imagine, can't I?  This morning with it in the low 50's and with a few drops of rain, it's about as close as we get to that ideal autumn day.  Running is going well.

Only 6 weeks, I think, until CIM (California International Marathon).  Katy, Alexa, Abby, and I are all signed up.  Little-big Todd (Y) is also registered but may be out of town on business.  Katy is pacing the 5:00 group so Alexa and I may run together - aiming for that 4:00 target.  Not sure if Abby will be ahead or not.  I think everyone is getting their miles in.  I know LBT was tracking a 3:20 BQ (Boston Qualifier) but may have to delay that until spring.  Did you figure out LBT was little-big Todd Y?  Abby recently ran a fast Half at San Jose and hopes to make her debut to blog posting soon.  She and Todd are busy moving this weekend.  I look forward to hearing about her new running routes in the city once she gets settled.

My "hammie" is hanging in there.  I'm still icing at times, right now sitting on ice after an easy 5 this morning.  I have been steady at 40 or so miles per week for the past 4-5 weeks.  No speed work which is a little disappointing to me.  I miss those "street-intervals" and tempo runs.  It seems that everything is about the same pace.  Long runs are not much slower than the easy recovery ones.  I think I will wait until after CIM to think about speed.  Maybe that will be future blog posting.  Right now I am just trying to stay running fit to be able to run the next day.

Well off to work.  Keep running and supporting those runners.  Feel free to add your comments.  Enjoy Autumn.  Oh, by the way, that's a picture of our dogwood with it's "autumn berries".  Too early for leaves here in the west.  It must be gorgeous about now back east.  See you at the starting line, Todd.

Last race of the multi-sport season

Glad to hear that Alexa's trail race went well. I'd like to try one of those one day once I build up my run mileage!

Sunday was my final race of the multi-sport season here in New England. We're starting to get some chilly mornings (30's) so triathlon season is over. The race on Sunday was a duathlon - run/bike/run - and a short one at that. I went into the race with high expectations, wanting to win my age group, and I was able to accomplish that goal.

The length of the legs were 2 miles, 10.3 miles, and 2.3 miles. It was a chilly morning with temperatures in the low to mid 40's. Katie and I arrived at the transition area about an hour before race time, and I helped Katie set up for her first duathlon. Eventually, we made it to the start, debating what to wear - I ended up just wearing my club's tri suit even though it was around 45 at race start.

My wave of runners went out at a fast pace, and I clocked a sub 6:00 pace for the 2 mile run. My bike time was 3rd overall, and only 20 seconds off the fastest pace. The last run was a bit more hilly and my pace was around 6:20. My overall time was good enough for 5th overall and 1st in my AG, which was my goal going into the race. Katie, placed 6th in her age group and right in the middle of the overall field, and she finished with a smile on her face in 183rd.

Next up is  a 10-miler in early November - my plan is to try to run a road race every month as I keep up with the triathlon training over the winter. Heading into next year my goal is to win an overall triathlon and to qualify for Boston 2112.

Results can be seen here:
http://www.coolrunning.com/results/10/ma/Oct17_Scitua_set1.shtml