Start time: 9/28/10, 6:30pm
Location: North Arlington
Distance: 5 miles
Average pace: 8:40min/mile
Total Miles For September: 52 miles
Total Miles For 2010: 517 miles

I was going to run this morning, but after all the rain predictions I figured it might just be easier to get a little more sleep and hit it after work. Of course, that means a good 10 degrees warmer run, but that beats getting poured on, right? (Except then it didn’t rain this morning. Argh.)

Anyway, good first three miles, but partway through the fourth mile I got a swallow of water down my windpipe and there was quite a bit of coughing and hacking that I never got quite over. Ah well.

(8:28, 8:18, 8:21, 9:11, 8:57)

Start time: 9/25/10, 7:00am
Location: Washington DC
Distance: 12 miles
Average pace: 10:24min/mile
Total Miles For September: 47 miles
Total Miles For 2010: 512 miles

Met up with the group for a 12-miler this morning, or rather, two 6-milers. Ran the first one with Steve and Monica; both had races last weekend (Savageman Triathlon and Air Force Marathon) and it was nice to hear how each race went. Before long we were back at the start point, and Monica headed out while Stephanie, John, Bill, and Ben jumped in. It wasn’t a bad run (although due to a surprise bathroom break for one member there is a particularly long mile in there), but towards the end I was itching to move a little faster and I ended up picking up the pace a tiny bit with Bill and Stephanie. When the group is large enough it’s nice to have that option, at least. (I do love my group but there are mornings when I wish everyone was equally eager to pick up the pace a tiny bit. Fortunately that was in the cards for the end today.)

(10:13, 10:35, 10:49, 10:24, 10:30, 10:03; 10:19, 10:24, 10:17, 11:20, 10:02, 9:48)

Start time: 9/23/10, 7:20am
Location: North Arlington
Distance: 4 miles
Average pace: 8:31min/mile
Total Miles For September: 35 miles
Total Miles For 2010: 500 miles

Woke up this morning feeling like I’d been drinking booze all night. Problem was, I hadn’t. At all. Headache, dry mouth, upset stomach… yeah. Not good. Ended up cutting the run short and even then I felt horrible. Walked two or three times during the third mile. Glad I finished but ugh, that was horrible. (On the bright(?) side, it appears I am not the only one off-kilter from something in the air today.) A bit disappointing after Tuesday’s good run, but the deck felt stacked against me from the get-go.

(8:56, 8:44, 9:21, 8:44)

Start time: 9/21/10, 7:20am
Location: North Arlington
Distance: 12 miles
Average pace: 8:31min/mile
Total Miles For September: 31 miles
Total Miles For 2010: 496 miles

Improvement. Let’s see if I can maintain.

(8:31, 8:27, 8:21, 8:40, 8:35)

Start time: 9/18/10, 7:00am
Location: Washington DC
Distance: 12 miles
Average pace: 10:14min/mile
Total Miles For September: 26 miles
Total Miles For 2010: 491 miles

It was a small group this Saturday—just me, Dave, and Ben—but in some ways that ended up working to our advantage. We ran a 6-mile loop around the Capitol and then back along the Mall, and dropped Ben off once we got back to the start point. Then, Dave and I tackled another 6-miler along Hains Point, the Tidal Basin, and Independence Avenue. It was a good run; we picked up the pace a bit for the second half, although I know Dave was feeling it (last week he got up to 9 miles, and he’s getting ready for the Baltimore Half Marathon next month) but he pushed through well. Even with the walk breaks it was a respectable enough run. Not as strong as the 12-miler in Sag Harbor last month, but still not bad at all. And I’m happy the second half was the stronger one. It’s one of the things I’ve missed about running with Dave, even if one of us isn’t feeling it we keep the other one moving.

Oh, we also ended up running through part of the Run! Geek! Run! 8k while in Hains Point, which was amusing. Love the name of the race! And everyone who was still out on the course at that point (it had started about half an hour earlier) seemed in great spirits.

Tried a new gel, Honey Stinger. Who knew someone could actually make a banana or chocolate flavored gel actually taste good? I am amazed. I will order some.

Most importantly? Gorgeous day outside. Loving this weather.

(10:05, 10:48, 10:32, 10:42, 10:44, 10:45, 10:22, 10:03, 9:55, 9:40, 9:54, 9:11)

Start time: 9/16/10, 7:30am
Location: Washington DC
Distance: 5 miles
Average pace: 8:47min/mile
Total Miles For September: 26 miles
Total Miles For 2010: 491 miles

Ended up missing Tuesday’s run due to remarkably little sleep, and then still dragging so badly that evening I couldn’t even think about making it up; I barely made it past dinner before going to bed. (And then Wednesday night was no spinning due to what turned out to be a spectacularly bad bike maintenance class I’d signed up for. Good thing I made it to the gym on Monday after work.) Slightly disappointed because I’ve been trying to get two weekday runs regularly, but sometimes circumstances just get in the way. Anyway, today’s run was so-so. Nothing out of the ordinary, for better or for worse.

(8:59, 8:38, 8:42, 9:08, 8:28)

Start time: 9/11/10, 7:00am
Location: Washington DC
Distance: 6 miles
Average pace: 10:50min/mile
Total Miles For September: 21 miles
Total Miles For 2010: 486 miles

Really slow 6-miler with the group. It was supposed to be an 8-miler, but two of the other three are coming off of injuries so they asked for a few less miles… and then took it slow. One of those mornings where it wasn’t a satisfying workout, but it was a pleasant time to catch up with the guys. So, a win in that arena. (No resentment; once I knew it wasn’t the workout I’d wanted, I shifted expecations.)

Start time: 9/9/10, 7:20am
Location: North Arlington
Distance: 5 miles
Average pace: 8:48min/mile
Total Miles For September: 15 miles
Total Miles For 2010: 480 miles

Temperatures are starting to drop in the DC area, which is nice after this baking hot summer we’ve had. After knowing I’ve needed to do so, I’m starting to really focus on dropping some weight and hopefully that’ll help get me back to where I should be. Even five pounds makes a big difference after all. If I can get rid of them I’ll be happy.

(8:49, 8:43, 8:43, 9:27, 8:17)

Start time: 9/7/10, 7:45am
Location: North Arlington
Distance: 5 miles
Average pace: 8:52min/mile
Total Miles For September: 10 miles
Total Miles For 2010: 475 miles

Was not feeling it, perhaps from the long drive home from Tennessee yesterday. Started running out of steam around mile 4, bleah. Am also resolving to lose some weight. This has gone on for too long.

Start time: 9/3/10, 7:30am
Location: North Arlington
Distance: 5 miles
Average pace: 8:47min/mile
Total Miles For September: 5 miles
Total Miles For 2010: 470 miles

Slept amazingly badly on Wednesday night, so I skipped my Thursday run and pushed it onto today. Ah, thick humidity, how I love you. (Not.) Will be out of town and not doing my group run on Saturday, but I might try and squeeze in a Sunday run; we shall see!