Windy 800's

I took the day off on Wed as it was quite cold and rainy all day and all night. I ran 5 800's with 800 jogs in between them in these times. 3:57, 3:25, 4:09, 3:10, 4:18, 3:09, 4:15, 3:30, 4:35, 3:23. It was quite a tough run on the way back with a 25-30mph wind in my face. One more slightly long run on Saturday. I will run with the Red River Runners again as Ann said she could handle the 10 boys in the morning until I get home. Next week will be some short runs and rest up for the race!

Brian

Tempo Run Monday

Maggie and I ran a 5 mile tempo run tonight. The weather was quite nice, 50F with little wind. The coyotes were howling at Maggie so I called Ann to have her follow us with the car so they would not attack Maggie. We finished 5 miles in 34:00. Maybe a bit faster than a tempo run. We ran the mile near the coyotes in around 6:00 so that lowered the average a bit.
The above photo was taken April 26th. Ok so spring is not quite here yet.

Brian

Red River Runners long run

I went to Grand Forks to run with the running club finally. I wanted to run on a hard surface and get in touch with some runners. Barb, Craig and I started out at about a 8:30 pace for the first 8 miles then we picked it up to about 7:45-7:30 for the last 3 miles. I then ran back with them from Center Court to 13th ave and back for about 14-15 miles total. I ran more this week so I can cut down miles next Saturday and be fresh for the half marathon in Fargo May 9th. So a total of about 25 miles this week. Barb and Craig have been doing about 50-60/week to prepare for Grandma's in June. That is dedication to running.

Brian

Windy 800's

The wind was about 30 gusting to 40 out of the North-Northwest by the time I was able to run. Temp was down to about 50F. Early in the day it was beautiful, no wind 70F.
I ran some Yasso 800's times are as follows: 4:14, 3:23, 3:42, 3:19, 4:25, 3:22,4:12, 3:40 (dust blowing in my face for this one)4:57 getting gassed, 3:20. A total of 5 miles Total time of about 39:00. These are slower than my last time out I think mostly because of the wind, but I did not feel that great. Hope for calmer weather.

Brian

Run with the Swans

I ran a 4 mile tempo run tonight. Mile times as follows: 6:44, 6:45, 6:48, 6:54. I felt pretty good. I could probably hold out at least one more mile. Saw quite a few swans on the run tonight. Very nice day about 55 with 10-15mph crosswind.

Brian

Long(er) run Sunday

On Saturday Brendan had his last basketball tourney. It was also my dad's birthday. I ran my 8 miles in 59:40 on Sunday morning. It was about 35 F with very little wind. It was quite nice for running. There are 3 weeks until the half marathon. I will try to run the next two long runs with the Red River Runners so I can get my legs used to a harder surface.

Brian

Spring may finally be here: 800's

I ran 4 miles alternating slower 800's with faster 800's as follows: 3:47, 3:17, 4:13, 3:12, 4:27, 3:06, 4:35, 3:04. First 2 miles against a pretty stiff southeast wind. Last 2 with the wind.
An update on Minnie. She had to have part of her pad on her front paw cut off. She is bandaged and wearing a lamp shade on her head. It will be me and Maggie for a while. Soon Rosebud will try her hand at running.

Brian

Dog Day Tempo Run

I ran a 4 mile tempo run tonight in 28:02. That should be about 30 sec faster than my best half marathon. Maggie ran away and chased a big flock of swans and geese. Needless to say she did not catch them but she did get very muddy. Minnie decided to run in the woods that are filled with water. She got a major gash on the pad of her front paw. I will have to take her to the vet for stitches tomorrow morning. It was a rough running day for the dogs but I fared pretty good.

Brian

Long run on Friday night 10.25 miles

I ran my long run tonight. It looked like it might be quite windy tomorrow and it is my daughters birthday. Sunday looks rainy. Tonight was quite nice about 40F with very little wind. I ran 10.25 miles in 1hr 21min. I will take the next two days off and start again next week with some tempo and 800's.

Brian

Run 800's

I ran 800's for the first time in my running life. I ran 1 mile to warm up then 800 in 3:00 followed by rest jog then 3 more 800's with rest jogs in between and about a mile cool down. Some of the 800's may have been a bit short so I will have to map out a better course for the next run. As far as I could tell I ran the 800's at about 3:00-3:15 pace. Which is on target according to my Red River Runners intermediate half marathon schedule. The schedule calls for 800's at 60-90 seconds faster than race goal pace. Maggie and Minnie had a hard time figuring out what I was up to.
I got a new pair of running shoes. Asics 2140. They felt good even for the first time running in them. Total run was about 4.5 miles.
It is Ellen's birthday on Saturday. Her first birthday since she was diagnosed with leukemia. It will be a special day. I will try to do my long run on Friday or Sunday so I can spend the whole day with her on Saturday.

Brian

Easy 4 miles

I stayed home with Ellen today as she had a fever yesterday and had to have blood counts and blood culture. She is doing much better today after a good day of rest. I ran 4.1 miles in 32:00 after Ann arrived home. My hip feels good on the runs but gets stiff after sitting or lying for long periods. I will keep stretching and icing.

Brian

Saturday Long Run 9.5 miles

Ann dropped me off on the paved road so I would not have to run in the mud. I ran 9.5 miles in about 75 min. It was quite cold against the wind. Thomas rode his bike along side me. He made it no problem. I remember when I could beat him on his bike, not anymore.

Brian

Spring has not sprung.

It is not spring yet. I ran 4 miles in about 31:00 with a driving wind and ice pellets in my face. The road was part mud and part snow. Oh well this can't last forever. That is what I have been saying for the past month. Every run I think to myself this will be the last run in cold and snow. But so far spring in nowhere to be seen. I have had some hip pain that I get every so often. I may have lifted something wrong. It usually flares up and then goes away on its own. I will probably take a few days off before the weekend long run to get it back to normal.

Brian