Location: Memorial Park Loop

Distance: 6 mi

Did 6 “easy peasy” miles at Memorial Park with Suzanne. Tonight’s run felt much, much better than Saturday’s run, though it was definitely HOT. Not much else to report about the run, except that it was HOT. Did I say that already?

Speaking of which, everyone who did that awful 30K today was awesome. I was just on my bike, and I was hot and tired afterwards - the runners had it worse. Fortunately, there were no major problems or injuries, save for one guy with pain in his hip and asked for a ride to the finish. Given how hot it was today, it’s good that was the worst of it.

Location: Memorial Park Loop

Distance: 9 mi

My original plan was to do 15 miles, but I tanked at 9. But it’s my own fault, given all the soju & sake I had on Friday night.

It was hot and humid for a December evening. I put in 3 miles on my own, then Minh showed up for the rest of the run. The next 3 miles weren’t too bad - a running partner makes time go by faster - but the last 3 miles were hard. We usually chat while running, but I couldn’t talk at all during the last loop. Those 9 miles were harder than the entire Marathon. Lesson learned - no more liquor the night before a long run. doo dee doo

Afterwards, any calories burned during the 9 miles were replenished (and then some) with dinner at an excellent South Indian restaurant where we had The Greatest Dosa Ever, followed by durian and taro gelato in Chinatown. mmmmmmmmm……

**This map shows Wed & Thurs nights combined. This is what happens when I forget to reset the Garmin between runs**

Location: SMART Rose Garden Run

Total Distance: 11.34 (Wed = 5.5, Thurs = 5.8)
Avg Pace: 11:07
Temp: 59F

Thursday night’s run was the SMART Rose Garden Run with tempos built in. Again, the run felt longer than it actually was - time to start eating right again. On the route back to the Park, Michelle had a really bad fall on her knee and ankle. Bessie, Jessica, Ted and Dr. Maureen tended to her while Chip and Matt went to get the car. When we returned to Memorial, Matt and Bessie were on their way to take Michelle to the clinic.

This weekend: 15 miles, and CP/AED duty at the Sugarland 30K.

Location: Waugh Bridge

Distance: 5.5 mi

(see Dec 6 log for more info)

So, after nearly a month hiatus, I’m back on the running bandwagon. Partly because the Houston Marathon is only 37 days away, and partly because I continue to eat like I’m training for a Marathon (minus the actual running), but mostly because of the effective but well-intended guilt delivered by Coach Steeeve at the Dec 4th Strider Holiday Party. “Wasn’t the New York Marathon on November 4th, exactly a month ago? Yes? Well, your excuse for not running expires tonight at midnight.” Sure, I would have been thrilled to hear him say, “Sure, take another week off. Oh, and have some more pie while you’re at it,” but of course he was right - it was time for me to start hitting the concrete again. I had emailed him earlier in the week, asking if I should do the Full Marathon or Half Marathon, given my longer-than-intended (but oh, so enjoyable) running vacation. Steeve was encouraging about doing the Full, adding that it’s hard to lose fitness quickly…just like it’s hard to gain fitness quickly. So, I went for it - I paid the $40 confirmation fee for the Full Marathon, resolved to stop eating so much crap, and am now looking forward to fitting into my clothes again.

In reality, I don’t mind the running at all - in fact, I LIKE the running. I just like the sleeping in and eating lots of yummy crap too. But in the end, the running will win….though, this time, I’m forgoing my usual policy of no alcohol until after the Marathon. Four months without beer/liquor kinda sucked.

Wednesday night’s run was my first real night back on SMART. I had run once after New York, but that was mid November. The scheduled run was the basic Jackson Hill –> Waugh Bridge 5.5 miler. Overall, an uneventful run, except that I (half) joked that there was something wrong with my Garmin because the run felt MUCH longer than 5.5 miles. That chocolate chip cookie I had at 5pm came back to haunt me at mile 4.

2008 New York Marathon!  Click here for race report.

Location: Half of the Rose Garden Run

Distance: ~2 miles

Pace: easy peasy (as Steeeve would say)

Went to Memorial to join the Striders for an easy taper run. Work’s been hectic, plus I’ve been trying to finish things up before I leave for New York, so I made it to the meeting area with just a minute to spare. whew! I had decided to do half of whatever the others were going to run - the agenda for the evening was the Rose Garden Run, so that meant about 3 miles for me.

It was a fairly small group, maybe about 6 total. But, that’s what I’ve really enjoyed about these training runs - a relatively smaller and consistent group of people to get to know. And at races, Striders always seem to be out in big numbers, so there’s also a nice balance between the two. Maureen and I ran with Lisa, who I met at the Half on Sunday, and runs at our same pace. Yay! Back of the packers, represent.

Blossom was full of parents and kids out for Halloween. When we got to Memorial, I turned around and Maureen and Lisa continued on to the Rose Garden. I kept my pace especially slow, and started visualizing the course in NYC, going over the bridges, saving some energy for Central Park, etc.

I’m going to try to make it to Memorial tonight, to get in one last workout before I leave tomorrow.

Only 3 more days!!!!

Location: Memorial Park loop

Distance: 6 mi

Pace: ~10:30

Met Minh at Memorial to get in a run.  We originally planned to do one loop, but ended up doing two.  Not much else to report, other than the weather was excellent.  Afterwards, we went for beignets and coffee with another friend.  mmmm