Week 6: Winter break Safari

Wow. I can't believe it's already Thursday and I'm just getting this going. I am such a bad running log keeper-upper.

(Monday, 17 December)
I can't even remember if I ran this day, so I must not have. I think I got some books for the break though. I did help Dave move though, which was awesome. I am so pumped he's in Pasadena now.

I hope it was worth it for that TV that I almost killed myself on it.

(Tuesday, 18 December)
9 lap (about 4.5 mi) at LT with I at Lacy. Holy smokes that was a good workout. I didn't really feel into it going in, but it was really a good thing! Up through about 4 - 5 laps in, I really thought I wasn't going to make it. But, then I started to feel much better. He claims I didn't slow down (at least not too much) but my breathing and everything felt much better. I'd guess it was about 7.40 pace. (I didn't keep a watch on it though). I should get an HR monitor for these runs in the future.

Around 4 laps in I got a little pannicky and started to get a tight throat and felt like I might bust out, but I got it under control. I think the stress of it being I. really helps me stay engaged and take things seriously instead of slacking off. I also started to almost get a side cramp towards the end, but got that too under control.

Drove up to Oakland in the PM, and despite the rain it was a good, easy drive. The black cactus kept me company. Also, I heard Megumi's boss (I think it must be this guy) on the radio, which was pretty cool. It made me excited about her job. I wonder if they need any CS folken?

(Wednesday, 19 December)
Didn't run, but did enjoy the food and such. Went to the dentist for the first time in 2.5 years, but the hygienist said she couldn't tell at all from my teeth that it had been that long. Not to encourage me to do it again. But I have all my teeth still. Unfortunately, it looks like I am going to need to get another set of retainers - oh the joy it will bring to my romantic conquests.

Bought not one but TWO pairs of shoes including my first pair of skankyboots, and my first pair of non-Mizuno-Wave-Alchemy running shoes in the past 7 years. They're Asics Gel-Kayano 13s and I hope they should have a similar amount of support as the Alchemys. They're a little heavy, but they were on ridiculous sale and were narrow widthed, so they fit really snugly (hopefully not too snugly).

(Thursday, 20 December)
Did an easy short run (40 minutes or so) around the cemetary in the new shoes. They feel good! They didn't rub or blister me or anything, which I was a little worried about. I liked the heel cushioning. I have found myself running a bit harder than usual recently just on an overall kind of level. I think this is good. (Unless I venture into Megumi Territory, but I don't think there's any danger of that).

It was a really pretty day, you could see the whole bay from the cemetary. They were actually doing more burials than usual today, I wonder if tis the season? I saw the whole Bobcat/power shovel thing going on up in the Greek Orthodox section, which was a little alarming because the whole rig (truck, bobcat, workers, casket) seemed *thiiiis* close to toppling down the steep hill.

In other news, Ellen is back! So fun times ahead.

(Friday, 21 December)
DNR?

(Saturday, 22 December)
Lazy and fat and slow. Great basketball game though.

(Sunday, 23 December)
Ye olde route Gate to BV and back. Cooold. Felt a lot easier than it used to.