Bayshore 10K

6.2 Miles Race - 43:27 - 7:00 Pace

Even thought training hasn't been going well...it appears its working. Knocked 23 seconds per mile off my Riverbank 10K time...I'm quite pleased. This was a nice race...right along the bay...which I barely noticed.....nice and flat...which I really noticed. Plus TC is. Just a great spot. Legs were good..one little twinge in my knee but that was it. My dad got caught up in the excitement of the race and said he is in next year...sweet.

Outdoor Running

6.5 Miles - 52:33 - 8:05 Pace

Tami and I ran outdoors today in TC, it was beautiful out, the sun was shining, it was around 35 degrees, felt good to get back on the pavement. We were at about a 8:39 pace through 3.5 miles, then Tami stopped off to use the restroom and told me to press on, so I picked it up a little, and finished with an 8:05 pace, so I was cruising at about 7:35 for the last 2.5 miles. Felt good, a little slippery, but it was nice to be outdoors.

Speed Workout

1.00 Mile - 8:21 - 8:21 Pace
1.00 Mile - 6:25 - 6:25 Pace
0.50 Miles - 4:10 - 8:20 Pace
1.00 Mile - 6:25 - 6:25 Pace
0.50 Miles - 4:10 - 8:20 Pace
0.50 Miles - 3:13 - 6:26 Pace
1.00 Mile - 8:21 - 8:21 Pace

First speed workout of the year today, on a new treadmill up in Traverse City. It actually was a pretty good run, it hurt, but it was good. The speeds on this treadmill seemed to be pretty close to the ones I am used to being on. I am a little sore after that one, just muscle sore, haven't run that fast in ages.

Traverse City Running

6 Miles - 48:46 - 8:14 Pace

6 Treadmill miles today in TC at the Holiday Inn. Not a bad run, I had a few Pringles before the run, so that wasn't helping, but I needed something in my stomach.

Traverse City Cherry Festival 15K

9.3 Miles - 1:04:23

Completely forgot how large the hill was on this course. I was on a pretty good pace of about 6:52 for the race, then we hit the hill, I remembered the large part, but there were 4 small hills that surrounded it, and a huge decline on the backside. Forgot about all of those. Ended up with a 6:56 pace, so not too bad, still happy with the run. This is the first race I have had a really great kick at the end, and some people to race. I caught two guys in the last quarter mile, passed one, and the other guy and I sprinted to a tie at the finish. Pretty exciting.

Even with the hill, this is a great course, you run along the bay for a large part of the run, which is great. Plus the finish has you running though downtown where everyone is sitting waiting for the parade.

Still have a long way to go before I am ready to qualify for Boston, but I am still improving by leaps and bounds.

Feelin Good - Traverse City 15K

Wow, ran my fisrt 15K at the Cherry Festival in Traverse City yesterday. We got off to a bit of a rough start, when I arrived, it was pouring, then the race was delayed 25 minutes due to technical difficulties. But once we got going the weather cleared up and things went great. I felt really good on this run. Even the large and steep hill around mile 5 didn't slow me down, I was passing people running up it. I finished in 71:18, which is about 15 minutes ealier than I was hoping to. I was running around 7:45 miles until around mile 8 when I decided I could run faster and still finish, so I picked it up a bit and finished with a good time.

The majority of this course was along Lake Michigan, I have to say it was easy to forget about the pain when I looked to the right and saw the water and beach. It was easy to get into a zone, this has gotten me even more excited about running a marathon in Cali. This race has also shown me that following the marathon training plan I am on is really working, I had much more endurance in the race and was able to keep up a good pace.

Also, thanks a bunch to uncle Rog and Aunt Pam for housing me this weekend and showing me a good time. Thanks a lot guys.

Signed up for the Cherry Festival 15K

Signed up for the Traverse City Cherry Festival 15K today. I'm excited about this one, I have never run farther than 6.5 miles, so 9.3 is going to be interesting. Gotta push it this Saturday for distance to gauge how ready I will be. Staying with the Ballards, that should be a good time, push myself Saturday morning, and then enjoy the family and the bay Saturday night and Sunday.