Running journal, Saturday, 2006-02-25

Running journal, Saturday, 2006-02-25
Resting heart rate: 55 bpm (60 second test)
Day: Saturday
Date: 2006-02-25
Weather: Sunny, cloudless sky.
Temp: 21.67 C (71 F)
Time: 12:15-13:46
Terrain: mostly flat with mild inclines
Comments: Beautiful day for a long run. Saw a couple holding each other close as I crossed the bridge. Very sweet. :) Wore my RaceReady white and red-paneled singlet today for the first time, which meant more application of more sunblock to my shoulders, back, and neck. I felt much cooler wearing less clothing. :) My fear about the red color has disappeared after wearing it a few times. At the El Manto Drive crossing, I saw a deer cross the trail, and two more black-tailed deer eating grass right on the other side of the wooden trail post markers. :) I ran right by them, and one trotted with me, less than ten feet away, for a number of meters. :) Fantastic. Passed one girl jogger at Ambassodor Drive who had a pastel top on and was super-fit. I met her again on the return and said hello, and she returned the greeting. Otherwise, she just stared at the ground as she ran. :) Passed hundreds of bikers today, but not so many joggers. Two riders had stopped to rest their horses at the picnic table near El Manto Drive. I saw some sort of gopher-like animal today running along a burrow-like structure on the riverbank side of the trail. Saw a hawk with white stripes near the tips of it's wings making lazy circles in the air. I figured out how to adjust my sunglasses a bit so they do not hug my face so much, but it is still an ongoing issue as I sweat. I bet a bit of plastic gripper tubing over the frame near the ear would keep it stable and where I want it. I also felt frustrated with my pedometer again today, because I would like to spend less time worrying about the time and resetting my pedometer after 60 minutes elapses. I got a haircut on Thursday evening, and having less hair felt nicer. :) I experimented with short strides and high turnover today. I could feel my muscles behind my knees were tight, so instead of stretching them by lengthening my stride, I increased my turnover rate, keeping my stride short and my muscles within a comfortable stretching range. The only discomfort I felt started around miles five-six, where my hip joints felt a bit irritated. I did this for pretty much the entire distance today without huffing and puffing, and felt a bit tired by strong at the end. Comparing to last Saturday's run, I ran about 0.5 minutes/mile slower than I did today -- but I feel great. :) So endurance-wise, today I think I ran a better long run. Next Saturday, I run 16 miles. :) I have wondered from time-to-time whether my shoes are holding up or not. I purchased the last pair from Fleet Feet in Davis, CA last fall. Next time I go to Davis I will stop in and see how much life is left in them.
Time: 86 minutes (1:26, 7.62 min/km, or 12.29 min/mi)
Goal Time: n/a
Distance: 11.29 km (7 mi) http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=38269
Total Distance For Year: 148.4 km (92.0 mi)
Weight (after run): 79.6 kg (175.52 lbs), 21% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: Noticed minor irritation in right knee as I walked up Bridge Street to my car. Much better than most recent runs. Probably due to finishing with strong long stride.
Foods eaten today: Powerbar, banana, chips and salsa, two veggie burritos, olives.