Another 26.2

One of the many stunning views on this beautiful course.

My first half marathon in several years went quite well. I ran a few right after college, with marginal training, and recall finishing in about 2:25. So today's time smashed those old times. And it was also only my second race ever where I reached (and slightly beat) my target pace of 10 minute miles.

And I think I've set myself up to be able to do a sub-2 half.

By the way, someone needs to come up with a better name for this race. It's only a half marathon in terms of distance. But it's a whole race of 13.1 miles.

And frankly, after running this, I can hardly believe I've run 3 marathons! It was certainly much more pleasant than 26.2 miles, but still plenty of work.

Run stats:

• 55°F
• 13.1 mi.
• 2:09:17
• 9:54 min./mi.
• Calories: 1660
• Miles to date (2009): 247.5
• Miles (2008): 610.4
• Map of route

Posted by Kristofer Layon at 9:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Doors in a grain elevator.

I'm kind of liking this cooler May running weather, though today is a bit too much on the chilly side. Would prefer to not need a long-sleeved shirt.

Run stats:

• 55°F
• 3.5 mi.
• 30:53
• 8:48 min./mi.
• Calories: 415
• Miles to date (2009): 234.4
• Miles (2008): 610.4
• Map of route

Posted by Kristofer Layon at 9:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Apartment building near the Mississippi River.

Quite a warm and windy day. Not ideal for running, but I figured that I had to go.

Run stats:

• 83°F
• 3.5 mi.
• 29:59
• 8:35 min./mi.
• Calories: 402
• Miles to date (2009): 230.9
• Miles (2008): 610.4
• Map of route

Posted by Kristofer Layon at 1:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I had only planned on running 7 or 8 today, but Jim pushed me to do more because he's still ramping up for the half-marathon on May 31.

It was a lovely day to run, so I'm not complaining. =)

Run stats:

• 65°F
• 10.0 mi.
• 1:35:15
• 9:30 min./mi.
• Calories: 1223
• Miles to date (2009): 227.4
• Miles (2008): 610.4
• Map of route

Posted by Kristofer Layon at 3:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Today I only had time for the "shortcut" across the river.

Run stats:

• 55°F
• 2.4 mi.
• 18:59
• 7:54 min./mi.
• Calories: 299
• Miles to date (2009): 217.4
• Miles (2008): 610.4
• Map of route

Posted by Kristofer Layon at 3:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Forbes Building

Sometimes I really like routine. This run is one such example. I enjoy the surprises and variables, but my familiarity with the lay of the land, the transitions, the surfaces — this I like a lot. I think I could run much of it with my eyes closed (though I don't think I'll try).

Run stats:

• 55°F
• 3.5 mi.
• 28:58
• 8:18 min./mi.
• Calories: 423
• Miles to date (2009): 215.0
• Miles (2008): 610.4
• Map of route

Posted by Kristofer Layon at 5:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

One of the many bridges crossing Minnehaha Creek.

After several lousy days of running, a day of redemption. A perfect run: one of those days where I don't even feel like stopping.

For me, weather is everything, which is why today was so great. Cool, overcast much of the time (but some sun breaking through to buoy spirits), and no wind. Perfect.

And breaking 200 miles for the year was nice, too.

Run stats:

• 57°F
• 12.0 mi.
• 1:52:09
• 9:18 min./mi.
• Calories: 1440
• Miles to date (2009): 211.5
• Miles (2008): 610.4
• Map of route

Posted by Kristofer Layon at 10:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

University Steam Plant #2

Today was *not* a good running day. Did not want to go. Was very odd. But I went — because I run.

The bad news / good news is, I nearly broke 200 today but didn't. Though 199.5 rounds to 200, right? =)

Run stats:

• 65°F
• 3.5 mi.
• 30:26
• 8:41 min./mi.
• Calories: 408
• Miles to date (2009): 199.5
• Miles (2008): 610.4
• Map of route

Posted by Kristofer Layon at 9:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Guthrie's 'endless bridge'.

Trying to max out on mileage this week before I taper toward my May 31 half-marathon, so I didn't take today off. I'm also planning to run W *and* Th this week.

Run stats:

• 66°F
• 3.5 mi.
• 29:31
• 8:24 min./mi.
• Calories: 431
• Miles to date (2009): 196.0
• Miles (2008): 610.4
• Map of route

Posted by Kristofer Layon at 3:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Today was simply not a good running day. Which seems ridiculous, as the weather was beautiful. But it was actually a bit too sunny so I got really hot early on (and drank my Gatorade too fast). Plus I always have a hard time running in Eden Prairie. It's fairly boring — I rarely encounter other people, and the landscape is pretty monotonous.

So for me, a lot of sun, warm temps, and boring surroundings add up to a *really* slow time.

Run stats:

• 67°F
• 9.5 mi.
• 1:40:14
• 10:35 min./mi.
• Calories: 1170
• Miles to date (2009): 192.5
• Miles (2008): 610.4
• Map of route

Posted by Kristofer Layon at 2:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)