Another 26.2

...the Kenyans complain about the heat. Quoting the second-place finisher:

"I thought I would get to him [Wesly Ngetich, the winner]. It was too hot for me."

-Joseph Kahugu, a wheat farmer from Kenya

As reported in the Star Tribune.

Posted by Kristofer Layon at 9:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Just my luck...another sweltering day to run a marathon! It was even quite warm at the start--- probably about 65--- and in the low to mid 80s by the finish. And sun the entire time. My least-favorite conditions!

But I ran the first half great and kept up with the 4:30 pace-runner (clocking 2:13 at the half). Then things took a tumble.

I finished at 4:56:49. About 6 minutes faster than last year. Not the dramatic improvement I had been hoping for, but an improvement nonetheless. And with no improvement in the weather (last year was also sweltering), so I guess that means I can take all the credit. =)

Run stats:

• 26.2 mi.
• 4:56:49
• 11:30 min./mi.
• 4336 calories
• 161 avg. heart rate
• Miles to date: 330.67

Posted by Kristofer Layon at 10:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

Today seemed like a "victory run" (though I suppose that's what the marathon itself is supposed to be!). After 15, 18, and 20-mile runs, 10 seemed like such a nice distance for a long run day.

Upper 60s to 70 degrees, sunny, and breezy. A perfect summer morning, and a perfect run.

Next Saturday: another 26.2.

Run stats:

• 10.04 mi.
• 1:34:43
• 9:26 min./mi.
• 1283 calories
• 155 avg. heart rate
• Miles to date: 304.47

Posted by Kristofer Layon at 12:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

A nice evening run around the lake during sunset. The temperature was 70, the air still, and the lake and sky both looked brilliant.

Run stats:

• 5.21 mi.
• 46:18
• 8:53 min./mi.
• 618 calories
• 153 avg. heart rate
• Miles to date: 294.43

Posted by Kristofer Layon at 10:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Today's run was disappointing after several that have gone so well. Today was a bit warmer and sunnier, so it wasn't quite as pleasant for running. But about half-way through, I had a painful cramp that seemed to be in the base of my left foot. I tried to walk and stretch it out, but it never fully went away. So while I ended up getting close to the 15 miles I was supposed to cover today, it was under less than ideal circumstances. Hopefully this foot-thing resolves itself and doesn't end up sabotaging me on race day.

Run stats:

• 14.27 mi.
• 2:32:03
• 10:39 min./mi.
• 1947 calories
• 149 avg. heart rate
• Miles to date: 289.22

Posted by Kristofer Layon at 3:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)