Friday, March 18, 2011

Day 108 - Hiking day

Today the weather was very warm and the sun was out. It seems like it has been so long since it has been warm and sunny. I drove up to the reservoir to do a hike. It usually is a good idea for me to hike or run very easy the day before a race. It was hazy but the sun did a good job of putting a smile on my face the entire hike. I used my hiking boots today just so I wouldn't run. They didn't stick to the rocks as good as my sneakers do but they were good enough for today. I packed two bottles, camera, extra shirt, phone and some gels in case I got hungry. 3 hours is all I had then I had to pick the little ones up at school. I wore my gps watch just to see what my pace was. I kept my pace right at a 15 min. mile  the whole hike so I was happy with that. It was a great day to be on the trail hiking and enjoying the sun! Now it is time to pack and get some sleep for the HAT run 50k in the morning.


3-18-2011 - 2:30 - 10 miles
The Pinnacle


Pulpit Rock


Pulpit Rock

Day 107 - Easy run

I ran from my house to my friend Donny's house to meet for an easy run. We ran around town at a nice easy pace. This is the last run we are doing before the HAT Run 50k in Maryland on Saturday. the weather is looking pretty good and should be a fun day.

3-17-2011 - 1:10 - 7.75 miles

Day 106 - Father/Son Run

I left the house around 5:25 p.m. to pick my dad up and we headed down to Reading to run a 5k. My dad is 67 and he walks but loves to come out to run some 5k’s. 142 people started the race and the weather was perfect. It was mostly flat with some ups, downs, cinder trail and macadam. I went out trying to run as fast as could and hold on as long as I could. The first mile I hit in 5:24 and I could still breath and my legs felt good. I tried to maintain that pace and I hit my second mile in 10:50. The last 1.1 I started to slow and could feel it. I just tried to keep moving as fast as my legs would go. With about 150 yards to go I heard foot steps behind me and a little after that I got passed. I got right behind the guy and stayed with him for the last 50 yards and we both pushed it in but had nothing to pass him. The time on the clock read 16:49 and that was the fastest I ever ran a 5k. I think my fastest time before was 18:23. After finishing my run I ran back to my dad and ran with him the rest of the way in. He finished in 40:45 and had a great time. Later on at the awards it was told to us that the course was short. I think they said it was actually 2.97 miles - I'm not really sure. We both got and award and that was really cool! Another great night on the trail with friends and family.

3-16-2011 - 16:49 - 2.97 miles

3-16-2011 - 2 1/2 miles easy warm up/cool down

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Day 105 - Sun - YES!

Tonight I made it out the door around 5:15. After 3 ½ miles a couple drops of rain fell. It looked and sounded like I was going to get soaked but it never did during my run. The rain drops were hitting the dried leaves along the road and it sound so loud. The river is slowly going back down. I saw a friend from high school and stopped to talk for about 10 min. It is always fun starting back up after stopping for a while. I did one lap at the high school on the new track and will have to get back there again. I headed home from there and called it a night with 10 miles.

3-15-2011 - 10 miles - 1:25 - run

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Day 104 - Ready for warmer

Tonight I went for a longer run after not running that well yesterday. I started from the house around 6 p.m. The weather was cold and windy – only low 40’s but it felt cold. I am ready for the warmer weather that is supposed to be here at the end of the week. The plan was to do all roads but I ran straight up to Pulpit Rock. It’s really hard for me to not run to the top when running in that direction. I made it to the top took a quick look and headed right back down the road hill. From there I went down and made my way around town and back home finishing with 12.5 miles. I went inside and hopped right on the dreadmill and ran another 2.5 miles to hit 15. I don’t’ like the dreadmill at all and thought it would be good "mental training" (inside joke - running things that aren't fun - is good mental training) to run on it for a coupe of miles. Actually it wasn’t that bad but I don’t have to do it again for awhile.

3-14-2011 - 15 miles - 2:03 - run

Day 103 - Easy run

Today was an easy run. I drove up to the Hamburg Reservoir to run out to the Pinnacle and back. The trail is a little wet at some spots but mostly dry. When I reached the Pinnacle I saw some hiking trail friends I have been talking on the trail for the last couple of weekends. They were enjoying the view with what I think was family. They drive over an hour to get here and they were also up yesterday. It is amazing the time you put into things you really enjoy. Running back I lost my energy and was hiking some of the more rocky sections. I chalked this run up to as time on feet.

3-13-2011 - 9 miles - 2:10 - run

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Day 102 - 501 run

I drove out to 501 and 78 to meet my friend Frank at 7 a.m. From there we drove to the top of the mountain where the AT crosses 501. Approaching the top it looked white. The closer I got to the top there was a fresh coating of snow. We headed east and the start was very rocky, wet and covered with a coating of snow.
We ran out about 6 miles until we hit a pipeline. We both agreed to run down to the bottom or close to it. It was steep but the footing was good. There was a sign with the number "18" on it and that is where we turned around and headed back up. Below is a picture looking up. That is the top of the first section. The hill went up another half mile after the top of what you can see on the picture.


After reaching the top we ran out north about a mile on the pipeline. A red-tailed hawk was flying over for a little. We turned around and headed back to the AT and headed back to the 501. All the snow was gone by the time we got back. It was a nice easy 16 mile run and I will see Frank at the Hat Run 50k next week.

Around 2 p.m. I went for my second run up to Pulpit Rock. There were a lot more people on the trails down here then at 501. I passed a bigger group that was going to be spending the night. It was nice to open the legs up on the road. Running on the rocks in the morning was slow running. Overall it was a good day of running.

3-12-2011 - 16 miles - 3:35 - run
3-12-2011 - 7 miles - 1:04 - run

Day 101 - No run

No running today. Saving my energy for the weekend.

Day 100 - Water run

With the temps in the 50’s and the rain falling meant for a great night of splashing in the water. I left the house around 7 p.m. It was raining and there was water running everywhere. Being out in the rain when it is warm is so much fun. My feet where soak within the first 50 yards of the start. Sloshing in my shoes the whole run. The Schuylkill river was very high and moving fast. The power of water is amazing. It was another nice easy run and I am ready for the weekend.

3-10-2011 - 7 miles - 1:01 - run