October 3, Saturday

It was cold this morning, but it has turned into a spectacular autumn afternoon. The house smells great because we are in the middle of making Arlene’s classic, chicken soup broth. And Gracie is back!

Race #2 of the six week, 5K series was this morning was at Tatum Park in Middletown.  The week started out with some good work on Monday and Tuesday.  Wednesday  I was very tired, so I took the day off.  For 2 days I had some stomach issues and got very little sleep during the night. I did manage to get out Thursday afternoon for a pretty good workout on the road. It was 5 miles with warm up and cool down. In the middle I ran 3 miles Tempo work in following manner. Began with 4 x 800 meters with the goal of staying under 10 minute pace. I accomplished that with Progressive times getting close to 9 minute pace. Then I ran a 1600 m in 9:02.  This was done on the road behind my development which is straight and flat and very light on traffic. I took Friday off to visit the stomach doctor. He convinced me I had little to worry about. On Saturday I ran the 5K at Tatum Park in 29:23. I had never run this course before and was surprised at how hilly it was. I’m guessing there were at least 40 hills on the way that ranged from 50 to 500m. It was like running a roller coaster the whole time. I gave up trying to run fast halfway through the race and just hoped to survive without getting injured.   The time was faster than I thought. But my watch only measured the course at 4900m.  It is clear that none of my training has prepared me for hills. I get passed or dropped on every hill.  It turned out to be a good training run; plus my stomach is feeling much better today. I am planning on going for a second short run this afternoon just to keep my mileage growing.

Stats were a little raggedy this week because of poor sleep and modified diet.  Legs feel good.  Weight remains steady in the middle 140’s lb.