Another Week, Another Chance

Another week has begun and with it, another chance to maybe run every day that I want to. Last week I got close, but fell short for a variety of reasons. This week I feel pretty positive. Work has quieted down considerably and I don’t forsee having to work really late any night this week. In fact, I am going to leave at 5 today rather than 5:30-5:45 because I got so much crap done today. Yes, I am that awesome.

Seriously though, with quarter-end over, the huge project done, and Thanksgiving just two weeks away, things here are busy, but not as hellish as they were a month ago. That means more time for the gym in the evening and a better chance at running when I want to.

Yesterday was my day off from running since Sunday was my long run, and that worked out well because I had to go to the second alumni council meeting for my prep school. That meant I missed the afternoon of work and didn’t get back until around 7:30, by which time I was exhausted from driving 90 minutes each way. Tonight I will go right after work and do an easy 4.5 miles. This weekend I will bump up the mileage to 9 miles for my long run too. I’m inching closer to that 10 mile mark, which is intimidating. Not only that, but the treadmills at the gym only allow you to put 95 minutes into the machine, which means that eventually the combination of distance and lack of speed will demand that I either reset the treadmill, or finally get my ass outside. We’ll see how that works out.

Only 4 days until the Zoo Zoom 2007! I’m excited to run a longer distance race, even if it is only 5 miles. Ideally I’d like to increase the length of my aces as I increase the length of my overall running leading up to the National Half. I don’t think that’s going to be possible though, as 8K’s and 10K’s are hard to come by, especially in the winter months. The race on Sunday should be fun, though pretty cold from the looks of the forecast.

After that I have a little over a week off before hitting the road again for the Green Valley North Turkey Trot. Yes, this is replacing the YMCA Bel Air Turkey Trot, mainly because it’s closer to Baltimore and will be easier to run, logistics-wise. It’s at 9 AM, which should put me in WV for Thanksgiving dinner around 12:30 or so. I’m excited to run a race on Thanksgiving because it will stoke my appetite so I can eat even more pumpkin pie and creamed corn, among other things.

After that, I am debating whether to run the Celtic Solstice 5 miler in December. It all depends on work and how I feel and if I feel like running in the bitter cold again. So it really depends on how these next two races go.

Tomorrow I will write a little bit on the latest Phedippidations podcast and the recent decision by USATF (is that the right acronym?) to ban headphone and mp3 players at their approved races. For now, I’m off to the gym!