Treadmill - 3 miles in 24:30

Having to back date this. Got a little bit sick late last week and struggled to even do a few miles on the tread at Snap.

3 miles, 24:30, 1/4 mile cool down, Vomero Shoes

The Covered Bridge

It's funny that I can point to the exact moment my running career began. Over spring break my freshman year at OSU I realized that organized sports were no longer going to keep me in shape, an epiphany based largely on my (frosh 15?) weight gain. I noticed an old pair of Saucony running shoes in my closet from my one year doing cross country in 8th grade. They were at least a half size too small, but the first day back in Corvallis after the break I decided to start running.

I woke up early that first day back so I would have plenty of time to spare before my 9 am class. Laced up the too-small Saucony's and headed out the door of Finley Hall. I didn't even know where I was going, but figured worst case I'd have to do an out-and-back. As I went, I realized the exercise was a side benefit of being outside and getting to go to parts of Corvallis previously unknown to me. I eventually ended up finding Campus Way and ran back through the covered bridge. From that moment on I was hooked. Probably did that route or similar, coming back through the covered bridge well over a 100 times while in Corvallis.

That first week after spring break I ran/walked every day. Probably logged 30+ miles. Ran 2 more days the next week and by this time was running the whole time. Amazing how fast I improved at the age of 18. Predictably got a running injury (that now eludes me as to what exactly it was - from the shoes?) that sidelined me for a few days, but the die had been cast: I was a runner.

Treadmill - 3 miles in 23:00

Got a referral bonus when my friend Jack joined Snap today. One month tacked on to our membership. Takes us through July '10.

3 miles, 23:00, treadmill, 1/4 mile cool down, Vomero shoes

Had a ministry brainstorm while I was on the tread. Veiled summary: evangelism, blogging, and a starting point rather than an ending point. Need to do some research and see if anyone has already done the same thing or similar.

Merman loop - 5 miles in 44:50

Pretty cold today. Rain/snow held off and was able to get an outdoor run in between morning and afternoon on campus.

5 miles, Merman loop, 44:50 door to door, Vomero shoes

The telltale sign of a good running song is that it makes you want to run faster than your training schedule would permit. Had several of those come on the shuffle today including this one...

Treadmill - 3 miles in 26:30

Needed to get to the gym after six hours of meetings, planning, and prepping at Starbucks. 90% done on my talk and accompanying seminar for our New Staff on Thursday.

Felt pretty good after my longest run in a while yesterday.

3 miles, 26:30, treadmill, Pegasus shoes

Lots more treadmill runs coming up by the looks of the weather forecast.

Rec Center Loop - 7 miles in 64:20

The nice thing about long runs is that you go out with out feeling the need to push it. You have to focus on getting in a rhythm and letting the miles come to you. This makes for a relaxing run where the mind can wander.

Reason #1 to like running: the ideation that takes place on the road. I had been carrying a little bit of stress due to my schedule and responsibilities over the next several weeks. Over the course of the run, I was able to almost entirely plan a talk I need to give this week. Double stress relief.

7 miles, Rec Center loop, 64:20, Pegasus shoes

Felt pretty good on the run today. Nice, cool fall weather. Around 53 degrees.

Today's ambition - Shamrock Run

At the end of my sophomore year in college I ran the River City Distance classic, which was the descendant of the Cascade Run Off. It was a 15k and I had a goal of running it under an hour. I came in at 63 minutes, but I always thought it would be awesome to come back and run it under an hour. Haven't run it since.

In the meantime, the River City Distance Classic went under and got absorbed into the Shamrock Run, a popular 5k and 8k in March. I'm trying to figure out if there is anyway I could make a go of it this year. Pullman winters, especially like the last couple, would mean a lot of hours on the treadmill. Maybe make a decision soon after New Year's.

The 15k route is pretty awesome. Lots of uphill into the Portland West Hills, then all cruising down hill the last 4 miles. Someday I'd love to hit that hour goal. Probably don't have too much longer before that would get real difficult.

Treadmill - 2 miles in 17:00

Weights, then an easy recovery run on the Woodway tonight at Snap.

2 miles, 17 minutes, 1/4 mile cool down walk, Vomero shoes

Listened to a random mix on the shuffle. Thinking about doing a 7 mile run/walk tomorrow.

Merman loop - 5 miles in 45:02

Had to go extra hard to squeeze the run in after being on campus but before having to watch Natasha while Sam took Wes to the doctor. This blog is almost too motivating. Don't want to take a day off.

5 miles, Merman loop, 45:02 door to door, Vomero shoes

Ideal weather today, too. Mostly cloudy and 55 degrees. Felt pretty good for being the third day in a row of running.

Listened to the last talk in Tim Keller's "The Prodigal God" series. Blew my mind with insight into Luke 15 that was so obvious but that I had never heard before related to the older brother.

I've got soul but I'm not a solider

A couple years ago I heard The Killers song "All these things that I've done" for the first time and immediately knew it was going to be one of my favorite songs to run to. Months later I'm watching TV and this add comes on. Bittersweet having one of your favorite songs turned into a commercial, but I loved the treatment Nike gave it. Was planning on a recovery day today, but this kind of makes me want to get out the door and...just do it.

Treadmill - 3 miles in 25:30

Got a workout in down at Snap Fitness this morning before heading over to campus and then up to EWU to speak tonight. Hadn't run back-to-back days for quite a while. Legs definitely felt a little heavy.

3 miles, Snap treadmill, 25:30, .5 mile cool down walk, Vomero shoes

Listened to #5 in "The Prodigal God" series by Tim Keller.

3:10:00

Don't know if I'll ever have the commitment to make it happen, but that is still the number for another year. After next year it drops 5 minutes to 3:15 (which is still 7:26/mile pace).

Merman loop - 5 miles in 48:33

First run down...at least since I started this blog a couple hours ago. I think I now know my favorite running temperature: 56 degrees F.

Had a great run.Only had to walk up Larry St and the cool down walking down my street. For the record:
5 miles, Merman loop, 48:33 door to door, Pegasus shoes

Listened to a podcast for most of the run.

Thought of a couple goals: do the loop in under 40 minutes, do it without walking (if you're not from Pullman you know the challenge in this). Either one of these would be great, though one will probably produce the other in short order. Time frame? How about before we leave for Christmas. That gives me about two months.

101 kicks in the butt

I was just about to head out the door for a run and, for some added motivation, was looking around the Runner's World website. Fortunately, they have a link titled "motivation", so I clicked there and came across an article called "101 kicks in the butt". Here is number 1 on the list:

1. CREATE A BLOG where you post your daily mileage, then give out the Web address to your friends and family. Do you really want Aunt Ellen to ask why you skipped your four-miler on Wednesday?

Okay. Blog created. Now for the part where I run and post my mileage...