04/25: 9mi - MB Wk13

PLAN: 9mi
RAN: 9mi @ 9:31-10:54*-9:26-9:42-9:50-9:50-9:35-9:30-9:30=9:40m/mi
LOC: Herrick Lake
EL: 6+

What a run! It drizzled the whole way back but I remembered that I actually really like running in the rain because I don't get overheated. But the occasional wind gusts made it slightly unpleasant. It was my first 9-mile, and I missed yesterday's run so I took it easy and didn't watch the pace at all during the run - worked out pretty good. I am glad that my body is getting used to the faster pace.
Warm-up was a little tough, I paused to stretch during the second mile, but compared to previous long runs - did not stop at all after that and was perfectly fine. No music today either - I'm learning to zone out my brain for longer durations of time.

I ran with CamelBak with diluted coconut juice - the taste really grew on me, and I feel like it really gives me those electrolytes I don't get with plain water.
Also, GPS in CamelBak seems to track *significantly* better than in the front waist pouch - it was pretty much right on course the whole time today, despite the thick clouds and rain.
I took the "long" routes on two out of three loops and had to run around the parking lot to get it up to 9mi. (I just didn't want to get stuck 3 miles out if it really started coming down!)

04/21: 6mi - MB Wk13

PLAN: 6mi
RAN: 6mi @ 8:50-8:30-9:20-10:30-?-?=9:17m/mi
LOC: Herrick Lake
EL: 7-6-+

Everything that could possibly go wrong went wrong on today's run. Firstly, it was freezing cold by the time I got out (mid-40s) with VERY strong wind gusts. My options were t-shirt or t-shirt and jacket. So 80% of the time I felt very overheated despite every zipper being open. With all that discomfort, and for whatever other reason - it just felt like the wind killed me - I was dying on the 3rd mile. At which point - conveniently - my headphones broke.
I finally struggled my way back to the lake only to find out that I ran 5-miles (yes, I accidentally mapped a 5-mile route and titled it as 6mi), so I had to run another circle around the lake. The wind wasn't bad so that last mile did not actually feel terrible.

What a nasty run. ehhh. I guess I was due to have a bad one eventually!!

04/18: 8mi - MB Wk12

PLAN: 8mi
RAN: 8mi @ 11-9:15-9:25-9:40-?-?-9:00-9:10
LOC: Herrick Lake
EL: 7+

Good run. EL is up and I am not tempted to call this run "fun" like before, but that just means I was working my ass off. As I thought what my "EL" values mean, I understood that it is not only how hard I work but how long I can *sustain* that level of exertion. Therefore, training will 1) allow me to run faster at a lower intensity level 2) allow me to sustain a higher intensity level for a longer duration of time.
On longer runs my EL will be lower, but that doesn't necessarily make the run easier, while pushing the pace on shorter runs will help me train anaerobically.

I tracked the run via GPS (in my nifty travel wallet) but it was really off on miles 5-6, where I also made a water stop, so I don't have times for those miles, but I am very happy with my pace.

04/11: 8mi* - MB Wk11

PLAN: 8mi
RAN: 8mi @ 10m/mi
LOC: Herrick Lake
EL: 5+

What a run! I do have a cold, so I popped a Benadryl and an Advil just in case (I am totally against pills but I really needed to make these miles today).

I ran the course below backwards to make it more fun, starting at the DuPage FP Office building, and making a full circle around Herrick Lake; with one short water-stretch stop at 5mi:

It was cool for the run, windy at times but not bad. The run felt great! I was disappointed to find out my slow pace, and considering I would give the first 2/3rds of the course an EL of 4 I really need to start pushing the pace more on and stop saving myself for the last mile. Here is the detail as recorded via my ad-hoc GPS method and interpreted by TrailRunner:

Tracking my pace reveals the following:
10.0-10.5-10.5-11.0-10.0-break-10.5-9.5-9.5
I clearly remember what 9.5 pace felt like at the end of an 8-mile run and it did not feel like 9.5 :) But I have to remember to push myself - that's the only way to get faster. Eventually :)

********************************************
I tested out what it's like to run with a CamelBak today - something I'll definitely need for 8mi+ runs.
WIN. It worked really well! No chafing; the chest strap successfully prevented it from bouncing - (much better than a hip fanny pack!) I had it 1/2 full causing the water to slush but that did not cause any discomfort. In the future the only thing I would change is fill it up all the way; I used up all the water through my run while the extra weight will just be extra training. The little pocket is perfect for GPS storage, which means I will be tracking all my long runs!

03/28: 7mi - MB Wk9

PLAN: 7mi (dear god)
RAN: 4mi / 5min walk-str / 3mi @ 10m/mi
LOC: Herrick Lake 7mi

OMG! What an AMAZING run!!! Pomplamoose rocks! It was SO windy, I was afraid the run will suck ass, but it was amazing. There were only a couple of killer spots. I felt very weak on uphills. Legs started getting heavy last 1/2mi.
AMAZING. This was the feeling I've been waiting for this whole time - just close my eyes and run.