Registered!

This is a little weird. I just registered for my first marathon -- San Diego June 2010 and I'm a little emotional. I respectfully submit a man card at this time.

Best Run Yet

Did 4 miles according to plan this morning and it was my best run yet. I built a route that uses 44th street going North from the canal and up to Stanford. This is a pretty decent uphill and then a sweet reward of mostly downhill back to 32nd street. This might be considered by experienced runners as Hills 101. That's fine, I don't feel ready for S. Mountain but I do realize that I have been running only flats this past year. Time to get out in the big water. Here's my Garmin data. The standstill waiting to cross Camelback at 44th street hurt my third mile, but I was PR fast for the rest of it. PR in a 5K is 30 flat. I'm going to volunteer at Runner's Den 5 mile/K next Sunday and attempt to shatter that.

Notice also the HR spike when I first start the run. That happens to me a lot. Is that normal? Would love your feedback.

Ten at Last!

Running Through Phoenix now has its tenth follower. Welcome to Eve!! She is my wife's running partner and ran her first 5K with us this past summer in the ARR Summer Series. We also work together. She ran her first distance race in the RnR AZ 1/2 marathon and finished feeling really great! So glad to have you Eve. I'll give you your prize at work next week.

This week has been a good running week for me. I'm finishing week one of a two week build up before starting an 18 week training plan to prepare for San Diego. Sunday, I went 8 miles and at a nice even fast pace. I'm back to running in the morning which is tough to do. Tuesday didn't work out. I was supposed to do 5. Wednesday morning, I did a six from hell. I didn't want to get up, didn't want to run, and ran slow. But I ran. Thursday was back to 5 and was much better. I got up in the pitch dark and ran in the cold rain, and ran sub 10/mile, which is all damn good for me. Sat is 4 easy miles, though I may work in some hills on Stanford, and Sunday is my long day --I'll do 9 miles.

I am also excited to volunteer in the Runners Den 5/5 next weekend. I get to race for free, and maybe hang out with Lauren and Adam.

I always get excited when the latest Runners World comes, and it came yesterday. When I really analyze the zine, its usually lame, but somehow it motivates me to run, so I will keep my subscription. I also use the online training log to track my runs. Damn you Adam for taking the "I Am Boring" blog title. I could really use it tonight.

One last prize for Wifey-poo

Hey what else could she want??

Maybe this could count for Valentines too?? Thanks for following sweetie!

Mel's Prize

Mel, you have done a good job of sending me comments and supporting me thru a phantom injury. I really hope you are able to return to the running Mel of old soon. I am sending her a photo of something not to try. Do not use this device, and you are certain to not be affected by it in a negative way.

Get better soon Mel!

A Prize for Bob

Bob is a new follower to RTP. He has a nice little family with a girl and a boy and a cool dog. He runs in SoCal and had some awesome photos on his site. Glad to have Bob in the NINE. I had trouble thinking of a present for him, but finally decided that he needs a video of some guys catching a huge muskie through the ice:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QnfxMNaNuU

You won't get that at the beach. Thanks for following Bob!

Rio's Prize

Rio is a really cool runner from here in Phoenix. She is a mom and a dedicated marathon runner. Following her as she trains has been truly inspirational. She is always really busy with kids and running and her job, so I'm giving her a recipe for the slow cooker. This is yummy and easy and the family will be so happy.

Mmmmm..
Thanks Rio!!