This Run's For You!

Thursday: Linear Trail: Temperature 80 degrees. Splits 9:20; 9:19; 9:06; 9:03; 9:01; 8:37; 54:26 total for 6 miles; 9:04 per mile pace. I'm happy, since I was planning on a 9:40 pace.

Today: Random Road Run: Temperature 85 degrees and humid! Splits 8:43; 8:29; 8:53; 8:41; 34:46 total for 4 miles; 8:41 per mile pace. Good pace, if I must say so myself. It was hot and humid today.

Yesterday's run was scheduled to be 45-55 minute run at a 9:40 per mile pace. I packed my "tool" (hydration) belt, one bottle of ice cold water, downed a GU vanilla energy gel, and drove to the linear trail. I decided to dedicate each mile to a follower of my blog. If a mile wasn't dedicated to you, I promise one will be in the near future! That being said, mile 1 was dedicated to Anais (http://through-greeneyes.blogspot.com/). Anais hurt her ankle recently, so I decided she earned my mile 1 dedication. Anais inspires me to do well more than she realizes. Mile 1 was also my slowest mile...LOL! I probably just offended her, but maybe I can make up for it by saying my original plan was to run my 6 miles at a 9:40 pace. Mile 2 was about the same: 9:19, and was dedicated to Lisa,(http://watchlisarun.blogspot.com/)whose also injured but kicking ass with her workouts at the gym. As I finished mile 2, I was feeling strong. I seem to respond well to the GU vanilla gel. More on that later. Mile 3 was dedicated to Mel (http://mel-2ndchances.blogspot.com/), whose blog will always inspire me. She has gone through a lot in her life, and that has made her stronger. So strong that she's now training for a "Tri." Go Mel! Mile 4 was Carlee's (http://chasingfg.blogspot.com/). At that point in my run, I had turned around in Hamden and was heading back along the part of the trail that (I think) Carlee runs a lot. Carlee is a member of "Team in Training," who I actually saw at the Fairfield Half Marathon. They seem like a great group of people, and even had members along the course cheering on not only their team members, but everyone else as well. From their website: "Team in Training Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training® (TNT) has grown to become an unparalleled sports training program. More than 389,000 participants, from first timers to seasoned athletes, have trained with the Team and achieved their best at marathons, half marathons, triathlons, 100-mile century bike rides and hiking adventures." BRAVO to them. Mile 5 was dedicated to Mel, aka "Tall Mom on the Run." (http://tallmomontherun.blogspot.com/). Mel is a running babe, who also used to play basketball for Gonzaga. Yes, I called her a "babe." She runs a lot, runs well, and from what I can tell from her blog does a great job balancing her career, running, and family life. Mile 6 was dedicated to Lindsay (http://www.chasingthekenyans.com/). At that point, I was "smokin'" I was loose, I was feeling no pain, I was apparently vanilla GU gel good. Lindsay, I believe, is the 2009 version of "The Bionic Woman." She runs a lot of days, and a lot of miles, and runs damn FAST! Hence my theory about her not being human.
OK, no report about today's run? Why? Because 1) I've babbled on enough, and you can read my splits above; and 2) I'M GOING TO HAVE A GIVEAWAY!! DETAILS LATER...