Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Lonely Out on The Roads

Mon--- 1 hour and 28 mins

Tues---60mins

Wed---76 mins


Saturday--Run with OK runner group out on west of town on the agricultural flats.  13 miles
Sunday--Run in Dark and scraped up hands....Out on Porter Ave.... 11 miles and 73 mins

Sunday---I was nearly hit by a stupid ambulance driver who had the idea to not look at the road ahead and glanced my heel and sent me into the cement. I tore up my right hand pretty good but I handled only a few deep scrapes on my hands and nothing else so I was very lucky.
Monday---79 min run out along highway 9. Humid and potentially rainy where the temps were mild as my bandaged hand broke out a nice sweat!  Decent run, not fast nor slow.

Tuesday---Run at night out in the wind. Ran by OU and the Weather Center. A nice easy 76 minute run in the mild 60 degree temps and a gusty south wind.  There is nothing like running at a University campus at night! The peace and quiet of students getting ready to study or party!

Wednesday--Run from Belmar Golf Club. I was greeted with 75 degree weather and sunny after my work shift. It was a perfect spring day as I headed out on Indian Hill Road out on the gravel away from the hustle and bustle of people.  I saw maybe one truck on the road as the warm day is something I will get used to but I am a little sad that winter has not even existed here in Oklahoma and has skipped straight into spring/early summer.  I have seen a few snow flakes this year but no big snow storms or major accumulations. Up state New York will have that for me which I look forward to working on the cool winter running.  I ran a total of 80 minutes today and 13 miles. My training is coming along after I was nearly hit by an ambulance at Norman Regional Hospital on Monday night.


My next big race is the A-OK 50k/25k where I will be running the 25k. I look forward to the race and to run a fast time!  I had an off week of training but  I am really ready to run well as I truly prepare for the Okc marathon.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Snow Day and the Meltdown!!!!!!

Monday was a great day for snow. We had about 2 inches of fresh white powder to great the day.

Monday-Run at the OU xc course on snow.  Ran for 75 minutes about say 11-11.5 miles

Tuesday--Run with the sunset.  I headed out on Alameda street towards Lake Thunderbird and then turned on 72 street.  A great run and was able to hit 1 hour and 28 minutes and approximately 13 miles!

The rest of the week has been so busy I have not found the time to write down all of my running. But, I can attest and say that  I am running and feel rested and so this next week begins hard mileage at 90-100 miles and I stray away from little relaxing runs.  I might throw some tempos in but it is officially time to get serious for the OKC marathon.

Sunday morning is by far the best day to run in Oklahoma. Everyone is either at sleep from drinking too much the night before or church is looming for those that attend.  That means for me that I can go out and run and sometimes never see any cars!  Today I ran by the famous Toby Keith's house and was able to run  road normally caked with cars, car-less.  It was so peaceful to have the morning to just relax and enjoy the start of the day. I ran 1 hour and 28 minutes and a good say 13-14 miles. Today was a Sunday just run day and it feels great to finally have a morning run in the books since I work most mornings.  The morning-time is so peaceful and it is that feeling of being outdoors in a tranquil setting that I miss the most. Hopefully, I can start to have more mornings off so I can run in peace and quiet more often!

Monday--Run to bank at night. High winds and a chilly air made for an Oklahoma-good-time Totaled 66 minutes and about 10.5 miles.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Week back!

After my fun weekend in Oklahoma and Arkansas, I am now trying to rest my sore legs and hopefully get myself back into race form as I work out the soreness.


The 50k did a number on my legs as my runs this week have been the same time but slower overall pace and distance. I have run 77 mins, 75 mins, and today in the heart of Moore and Indian Hills Road, about 80 minutes and 11.4 miles.  Today, my legs are almost back to normal which will be very exciting for me as I can soon run hard and fast.  It was a great trip and I am so thankful for my family to be there all along the way!



Yesterday, I ran an amazing night run in the rain with Connor!  We just strolled around OU and it was amazing to catch back up and to have the chance to run with the headlamp in the pouring rain. I think my legs have finally come back to me which means next week I can ramp up the mileage and training again!  I ran about 1 hour and 15  minutes or say 11 miles!


Friday--PM 35 min night run. Felt nice though it has super cool weather aloft!  Windchills in the teens is COLD!  But nothing like some Under Armor to help keep the body heat flowing!

Saturday--Run out to Noble Hill country. Ran about 66 minutes enough for 10-10.5 miles! My legs are back to normal! And man, running in the 20's feels odd with all the 60 degree weather we have had!

Sunday---Run out towards Moore on Porter ave as we await snow!!!!  The run had me all bundled up because of the winter chill in the air and I ran real well with 1 hour and 26 minutes and about 13-14 miles as I headed out to the Moore Technology school.  This was the first run where I was able to run a fast pace say 6:20 and under the whole way and not feel to fatigued as I went up and down the Oklahoma hills of the plains country.  It was a great run and I am excited about the chance to run in some snow as 1-3 inches is forecasted for tomorrow! It is finally time to bust out the snow shoes!

Sunday, February 5, 2012

White Rock 50k--Up and Down Arkansas's Mountains

More to come but a quick recap:

I have very tight calves but ran an amazing and beautiful 50k to White Rock mountain where I was able to set a new course record of 3:53 on a very honest course and time breaking the 3:58.  Running 33 miles was unlike any other running experience to date but it was incredible and it gives me great optimism for running future ultras and that I can handle the longer distances and maybe a 50k could be my distance of choice!


Photos Ashlee Took of the Event!

I never really thought I could run 33 miles as well as I did but a nice 30 degree winter trail race made the effort perfect.  I never overheated and besides a fall on a steep downhill because of the slick surface but it was an incredible experience. I saw spectacular views, ran through blinding fog, had two black labradors run 13 miles with me up mountains to the White Rock Mountain Overlook, and I can officially say that I am king of the mountain. I have the new record of 1:51 for the ascent and the total time of 3:53 for the 33 miles!