The Lone Runner

Saturday, November 8, 2008
10:30AM (4-Mile Run)
Worcester Out and Back
Weather: 60F
Conditions: Cloudy
Gut Rating: 3
Perfect conditions for a marathon (ha!).
Pace: Who knows?

Today, I was a lone runner. My run started and ended at my parents' home in Worcester. I was hot and slow. I should've looked at the weather before I packed my black running tights and a long sleeved shirt because I would've been more comfortable wearing a tank top and shorts. I completed my run nonetheless!


FUN FACTS: (since October 20, 2008):
Total Miles Logged: 23.5
Total Time Running: 03:55:00
Total Time Crosstraining: 00:30:00

MONTHLY MILEAGE:
Total Miles Logged October: 9
Total Miles Logged November: 14.5

MONTHLY CROSSTRAINING:
Total Hours October: 00:30:00

GUT RATING SCALE:
(1) Great workout! Could have run twice as far (if I threw caution and The Plan to the wind).
(2) Rewarding effort - felt almost great.
(3) Worked up a decent sweat - had fun in general.
(4) Heart and soul not out here with my body, but...The Plan, Boss, The Plan!
(5) Thank goodness the race wasn't today. I'd rather be doing almost anything else.

DFMC Karaoke

Thursday, November 6, 2008
5:45PM (3-Mile Run)
Neighborhood Loop
Weather: 40F
Conditions: Dark and Rainy
Gut Rating: 2
Perfect conditions for a marathon (ha!).
Pace: Who knows?

It was a dark and stormy night ... but I had a great run nonetheless! I actually enjoy running in the rain when it's not too cold; it's almost refreshing. Jack says that there's no bad weather, just bad clothing. I would like to dedicate the following song to everyone on the DFMC team who went for a run tonight!

Doo-dloo-doo-doo-doo
Doo-dloo-doo-doo-doo-doo
Doo-dloo-doo-doo-doo-doo
Doo-dloo-doo-doo-doo-doo...

I'm running in the rain
Just running in the rain
What a glorious feelin'
I'm happy again
I'm laughing at clouds
So dark up above
The sun's in my heart
And I'm ready for love
Let the stormy clouds chase
Everyone from the place
Come on with the rain
I've a smile on my face
I walk down the lane
With a happy refrain
Just runnin',
Runnin' in the rain


FUN FACTS: (since October 20, 2008):
Total Miles Logged: 19.5
Total Time Running: 03:15:00
Total Time Crosstraining: 00:30:00

MONTHLY MILEAGE:
Total Miles Logged October: 9
Total Miles Logged November: 10.5

MONTHLY CROSSTRAINING:
Total Hours October: 00:30:00

GUT RATING SCALE:
(1) Great workout! Could have run twice as far (if I threw caution and The Plan to the wind).
(2) Rewarding effort - felt almost great.
(3) Worked up a decent sweat - had fun in general.
(4) Heart and soul not out here with my body, but...The Plan, Boss, The Plan!
(5) Thank goodness the race wasn't today. I'd rather be doing almost anything else.

Running for President

Tuesday, November 4, 2008
7:15PM (2-Mile Run)
Rt. 9
Weather: 40F
Conditions: Sunny
Gut Rating: 3
Perfect conditions for a marathon (ha!).
Pace: Who knows?

Our two-miler felt harder than usual, perhaps because I was up late on Monday night. We tried to vote during our run this morning, but the lines were out the door. We chose not to take a two hour break in the middle of our workout. The line was much more reasonable when I voted this afternoon. It is currently 11:03pm and I'm watching the news coverage of the election. Obama just won!

FUN FACTS: (since October 20, 2008):
Total Miles Logged: 16.5
Total Time Running: 02:45:00
Total Time Crosstraining: 00:30:00

MONTHLY MILEAGE:
Total Miles Logged October: 9
Total Miles Logged November: 7.5

MONTHLY CROSSTRAINING:
Total Hours October: 00:30:00

GUT RATING SCALE:
(1) Great workout! Could have run twice as far (if I threw caution and The Plan to the wind).
(2) Rewarding effort - felt almost great.
(3) Worked up a decent sweat - had fun in general.
(4) Heart and soul not out here with my body, but...The Plan, Boss, The Plan!
(5) Thank goodness the race wasn't today. I'd rather be doing almost anything else.

We "Beat a Bag"

Sunday, November 2, 2008
7:30PM (5.5-Mile Run)
Comm. Ave Loop
Weather: 31F
Conditions: Dark
Gut Rating: 2
Perfect conditions for a marathon (ha!).
Pace: Who knows?

It's been a busy couple of days! I took a free practice GMAT test at Kaplan on Thursday and Friday was Halloween. I picked up my GMAT score on Saturday morning and explored Newton Center and Newton Highlands with Owen on Saturday afternoon. We celebrated Kay's birthday at Kings on Saturday night, and I caught the bus home to Worcester to visit my dad this morning. I arrived back at my apartment at 7:15pm ... just in time for my long run with Kay! It's now 9:34pm, and this is the first "down-time" that I've really had all weekend. I find it amusing when people claim that there aren't enough hours in the day because there are plenty of hours in the day. I would probably run myself ragged if there were more hours to fill. Sometimes, I don't know how we (marathoners) manage to pack it all in. I've come to the conclusion that you don't need to be a stellar athlete or own fancy equipment to complete a successful marathon. The key really is time management. It's important to lead a balanced life, even when you're training for a marathon. Speaking of time management, I'm proud to report that I completed my mileage goal for the week!

On a separate note, tonight was rather windy. We found ourselves running alongside a white, plastic bag that was blowing down the sidewalk. It stuck with us for a minute or two, and we enjoyed the extra company while it lasted. It reminded me of "Wilson" from Cast Away, but I probably would've named it Gomes after the winner of the NYC Marathon. I found it amusing when Kay and I increased our pace to keep up with it. We couldn't let a bag beat us! It eventually lost steam and ate our dust. Poor Gomes.

FUN FACTS: (since October 20, 2008):
Total Miles Logged: 14.5
Total Time Running: 02:25:00
Total Time Crosstraining: 00:30:00

MONTHLY MILEAGE:
Total Miles Logged October: 9
Total Miles Logged November: 5.5

MONTHLY CROSSTRAINING:
Total Hours October: 00:30:00

GUT RATING SCALE:
(1) Great workout! Could have run twice as far (if I threw caution and The Plan to the wind).
(2) Rewarding effort - felt almost great.
(3) Worked up a decent sweat - had fun in general.
(4) Heart and soul not out here with my body, but...The Plan, Boss, The Plan!
(5) Thank goodness the race wasn't today. I'd rather be doing almost anything else.