Run #2 in Les Valls

Got up this morning, had a great cup of dark espresso, some full fat, strawberry yogurt (yum!) and was ready for another run.  I rested yesterday to let my legs recover from the 1st run on Wednesday.  I woke up a little stiff still, but was ready for my last day of preparation before the race on Sunday – all of 2 runs!?!?  I know this is not the way it’s supposed to be done.  My former trainer, Matt Hoskins, back in Boulder, CO is probably wagging his finger at me right now.  “Scott, after all I’ve taught you, you know better!”  I do, really.

Run #2 on Friday, 29 August 2008 at 9:45am
Bright, sunny, beautiful day and about 75 degrees to start
3 miles total = 26:52 minutes
Total elevation change = 475 feet down + 475 feet up (rolling terrain)
Warm up: 1/2 mile walk
Mile 1 = 8:08 pace
Mile 2 = 8:38 pace
Mile 3 = 10:05 pace
Cool down: 1/2 mile walk

I seemed to have made an improvement already vs. the 1st run.  Got the total time down to less than 27 minutes for the 3 miles.  Part of this clearly came from a slighly flatter run in the valley instead of climbing the Montgo.  I don’t like the pacing, as I started off way too fast, and slowed during the course of the jog.  Not the way it should be done.  Mile 3 had more ascent than the previous 2 miles, and it showed in my time.  Still, considering this was only my 2nd outing, I feel good about the results.  Plus, the legs feel a lot better than last time.

Key outcomes = solid effort and no new blisters!

Oh no! A race already!

Yesterday I went for my first run in over 2 months.  It went well, considering my utter lack of physical activity this summer.  But when I returned to the villa, a new friend of ours had stopped by.  She’s a runner too.  And apparently there is a whole series of roadraces here in the Javea and Denia, Spain area.  Everything from 5ks to half marathons.  There is even a nasty 15k that goes straight up the mountain, el Montgo.  Great, sounds like a ton of fun, once I get into shape again.

But, you guessed it…there is a 5k race this Sunday, only 4 days away.  She signed me up for it.  Uh oh!  This could be really ugly.  I’m sure I’ll finish.  It’s only 5k afterall.  But, I really don’t want to be the last guy across the finish line!  So, I’ll check my ego at the door and give it a go.  Will put the play-by-play on the Blog when done.  The website is in Valenciano, but give it a click if you are interested www.somesport.com

Hasta luego!

My first run in Javea, Spain

Today was the first day since June 7th that I put on the running shoes and hit the road.  My family moved to Spain on June 9th, and it’s been hard to keep up my training with all the travel and moving around.  Add in the cervezas for lunch and dinner, and the fabulous food…well I’m sure you get the picture.  It’s not pretty!  But this weekend we finally settled into our new villa in Javea, Spain.  So more excuses – time to get training!

This Blog will journal my progress and thoughts as I get my 41 year old body back into decent shape.  I hope you’ll come along with me…

RUN #1 on Wednesday, 27 August 2008
10am, slightly cloudy, probably about 75 degrees (hot!)
3 miles total = 31:25 minutes
Mile 1 = 8:14 mins.
Mile 2 = 9:04 mins.
Mile 3 = 14:07 mins. (ouch!)
Elevation change = 750 ft down + 750 ft up (the Montgo)

It was a hard, hard run today.  The first half mile was down hill, which felt great on the lungs.  But the knees and feet were beaten into submission right from the start.  Next 2 miles went by quickly as they were reasonably flat in les vals (the valley).  Then back up the steep mountain for a 750 ft climb in the last half mile.  Absolutely brutal.  Had to slow to a walk & jog.

Felt tired, but motivated afterwards! Jumped into the pool with my clothes. Perfecto!

Key outcomes = 1 blood blister on my middle, left toe & a great feeling of getting started!