Mt. Bonnell, Scenic, Stratford

Time: 91:00
Distance: 14.5 mi.
Map

Good hard effort on the classic hilly run 'round here. Decided that given that this was a bit of a down milage week and that I really need to start focusing a bit more on intensity that I would do what the guys were doing today. It took a little bit to get settled in, but overall I felt good. The only time I was in a little trouble was on the last hill on Stratford, which I got dropped a little bit on. Felt good after that, though, keeping the pace well under 6 min pace the rest of the way (~3 mi.) back. The first few miles were slower than I've often done this run, which means the end was pretty honest.

Mt. Bonnell, Scenic, Town Lake, Track

Time: 120:00
Distance: 19 mi.



Met the guys for a run from the track. They were pretty giddy out the gate (and only going 90+ minutes) and it didn't take long for Hanley, Joe and I (the OBTC) to start bringing up the rear and decide that we didn't want to kill it for two hours. After Scenic we got on Town Lake for a bit and then headed back to the track at about 100 minutes. We ratcheted it down for 10 minutes under 5:40 pace and then 10 minutes barefoot recovery. I felt okay the whole way... a bit tired and my stomach was a little bit off, but this was one of the better efforts I've put in for the last few weeks.

West Austin Hills

Time: 74:30
Distance: 11 mi.
Map

Glad that Erik got me going this morning, as I otherwise would have put this off until the afternoon. It was hot enough (mid-70s) in the morning... I wouldn't have wanted to do it in the mid-80s of the afternoon. Just checked the calendar... it is in fact December. A bit tired from staying up late last night, but not feeling terrible.

Map is very approximate as we looped around a little bit on some small trails and were trying to explore a little bit.

There is a surprisingly well-written piece in the New York Times about the physical-mental connection in endurance athletics. Nothing most serious runners don't know or haven't experienced, but a good reminder and a good story for the average NYT reader.

Mt. Bonnell, Scenic, Stratford

Time: 120:00
Distance: 19.5 mi.
Map


Middle of Stratford hills (via Vig's phone)

Back to the hills. Ran this harder than a few weeks ago, which it was time to do. Good pace through Mt. Bonnell, Scenic and Stratford and picked it up to finish Town Lake to the I-35 bridge, Trinity and with ~2 miles on the track. Pace for the end ranged from 5:35-6:00 (faster on Town Lake and the track than on Trinity). Didn't feel fantastic (a bit tired), but very controlled despite the decent pace. Rob Wetzel, one of the freshmen who seems like he has a lot of potential and a good head on his shoulders, made it the whole way with us which was good to see.

Starting to feel some head cold symptoms... rest and hydrate.

Aimless

Time: 87:30
Distance: 13 mi.

Feeling a bit scatterbrained and the run reflected it. Ran somewhat aimlessly northwest over Mt. Bonnell without even really realizing it. Got stuck running back part of the way on 2222, which really sucked. Have sore quads fom Sunday and this didn't help. Found myself missing Rock Creek Park.

We were supposed to work out this morning but Vig called it off due to lightning. We'll get the workout in tomorrow.

Mt. Bonnell, Scenic, Stratford

Time: 120:00
Distance: 18.5 mi.
Map


The view from Redbud just before we hit Stratford

A very solid but a little more laid back long run. First time I've done this classic run in a long time. The two hour group was Stan, Jake, Habben, Kyle and me. The pace got going but not until the middle of Scenic, and we put a good effort in over Stratford and on Town Lake where we were on just about 6 min. pace. Finished going all the way to I-35 on the south side of Town Lake and then back to the track to finish with about a mile on the grass on bare feet.

Mt. Bonnell, Balcones

Time: 57:14
Distance: 8.5 mi.
Map


The view from the top of Mt. Bonnell

Straight to Mt. Bonnell, over it and back Balcones. Did not take Bonnell hard at all. Not feeling a lot of "pop" in the legs these days. Probably a combination of not sleeping great and being quite dehydrated. Must work on those things as I get the routine back.