Motivated to Succeed

4:15 PM - I went running at the same place that Emm and I went running at on Friday after school. I did a faster paced run. My legs were still sore from Friday. I was going to go longer but it was really windy and nippy out there. Decided to do a harder shorter run than an LSD today. Hoping to get back to 25 or 30 miles soon. It will be tough with all the work I need to do however. Slow and steady.

Yesterday after work went to Fleet Feet in Albany. Really love this store. They actually know their running stuff. I bought a pair of Injinji toe socks for my Vibrams and stocked up on HAMMER Gel. (They're the only place that has HAMMER products). I also tested out a pair of Adistars and a pair of Reebok shoes which I ended up buying. I was going to get Brooks's Beasts, but they don't sell them. And rather then get another pair of Addictions since I still have some life on the ones I have now, I opted to try another pair. I am really tempted to get those Adistars though. They would be nice for the road, though they would get ripped apart on the trails I think. (Added in .30 miles that I ran yesterday testing out 3 pairs of shoes into today's mileage.) 

Saw one other runner out there today on the causeway. It was way windy though. Getting ready for my next work week. I put in another notice at the bookstore. After next Saturday I am going "contingent". :( They will miss me and I will miss them. Splits today were best this year so far:

• Mile 1: 8:34
• Mile 2: 8:31
• Mile 3: 8:31
• Mile 4: 8:33
• Mile 5: 8:36
• .22: 1:53 (8:44)

Total Time: 44:37 Total Distance: 5.22 miles Average Pace: 8:33

7:00 PM - Long day at work. Happy Monday! Mondays are always the worst because I only have 1.5 hours the whole day without a class or supported study to oversee. Got out around quarter to five and made it home by about 5:20. Had dinner with Emmy and then decided to go jogging while she did the elliptical. Had to wear the new shoes because I must've stepped in some dog business while running yesterday. Washed my other shoes and now they are drying downstairs.

New shoes feel pretty good. I like the way the Reeboks feel. These are the first pair of Reeboks I've ever bought. Always time for something new. That is after all the essence of the long distance runner. Trying new things to see if they work. Keeping those that do, tweaking and adapting for those that don't. Only time will tell what might come.

Total Time: 30:02 Total Distance: 3.26 miles Average Pace: 9:13

4:50 PM - One thing is for certain - working at a charter school sure makes you sleep at night. I got home exhausted but knew I had to go for a run. Today was crazy busy with near-riots, a fire drill caused by a burning bagel in a toaster, and students all over the place. Somehow got through it. One thing is for certain, the week seems to fly by when you have a busy job!

Went running from the Causeway again. Emma had gone walking with her dad 4.5 miles earlier in the day and then also went along with me. She is such a trooper. I ran the first mile with her and then sped up, turning around at the 2.6 mile mark. Came back and picked her up around the 2 mile mark and then she ran with me a bit. The 5th mile I sped up again, though she is fast going downhill! Emm really knows how to throw on the afterburners going downhill whereas I am pretty slow and steady. Cooled down around the Causeway which stunk because all the snow is melting and it reeks of old goose poop. Splits were:

•  Mile 1: 9:22
• Mile 2: 8:36
• Mile 3: 8:38
• Mile 4: 8:22
• Mile 5: 7:56
• Mile 6: 8:03

4:40 PM - Cloudy and overcast. Windy. Had a 1/2 day today but then a 1/2 day of training for MCAS. Wanted to go home before going back to the school for the high school dance. Ben asked if any teachers would make an appearance as a chaperone and only 1 or 2 ladies raised their hands. So I said I would be there :D. It was a lot of fun to see the kids after school and I even got dragged out onto the dance floor and danced for a couple minutes doing the "Mr. Griffin Dance" (which closely mirrors Kevin James's character's dance from the movie "Hitched"). Went jogging along the causeway. It really stunk like low tide and goose poop! But most of the run was good. Saw a guy walking and said a friendly Hello. Trying to get better about taking gels, so I had a Hammer Gel halfway through, even though I was only running like 45 or 50 mins today. Experimenting with different flavors.  Splits were good.

• Mile 1: 8:46
• Mile 2: 8:28
• Mile 3: 8:16
• Mile 4: 8:49
• Mile 5: 8:33
• .5: 4:08 (8:16)