I volunteered at the Germantown 50k, up near Dayton, yesterday. I was at the 1,2,7 aid station, with Bob. it was the first and last stop for the runners. I think there were about 60 runners. It was a very hot day, in the mid 90's. A lot of the runners were having issues with the heat. I have run this race twice before but they totally changed to course this year. It used to be one loop run 4 times, now it is one big loop with some repeating sections. I ran 8+ miles on the course, it's got some nice trails. Many runners complimented the course.

5 miles, Vibrams, indoor track, 7:35 overall pace

7:58
7:48
7:37
7:45
6:45

(The numbers might not match up exactly, but the final time is correct and all lap times are within seconds of being correct. while trying to check my splits on my watch, I accidentally erased them, that's how long it's been since I've done a track run worth timing, lol)

I went to the rec after work today for a run on the indoor track. I wanted to get in some medium paced running, as my last few days have been all slow stuff. I eased into it and speed up as I went along, focusing on leg turnover (which stayed above 90 rpm throughout) and foot placement. I felt good near the end, and ran the last 1/2 mile pretty hard, with a 40 second final 200, which isn't so easy with out shoes on, on and indoor track.

I also got some new shoes! I ordered them yesterday and they got here today, that was fast! Saucony Kilkenny XC. They were recommended on the barefoot running email list as I good forefoot running shoe, and they were really cheap as far as running shoes go ($50) so I figured I'd try them out. They are very light, about 6 ounce, just about the same weight as my Vibrams, and have a very low heel, the two things I want in a shoe. I think I'm going to try them out on the trails tomorrow.

Pictures:

I'm going to start raising my mileage once again, hopefully that will mean getting back into normal blogger mode, but who knows? I will be around 40 miles this week, as long as I can keep the blisters on my feet under control. I'm thinking about doing the Germantown 50K this weekend, it would be a slow jog/walk, just to amend the fact that I haven't done an ultra in 3 months!!

I ran 5.5 miles today on hilly roads, just under 9 minute pace (as well as 5.5 on the same roads yesterday, and 5.5 at Mt. Airy on Saturday)

One...More...Mile! Challenge

Check out this new race being put on by Mike. It starts November 1st. Anyone can join. It's not a normal race, as in, there is no official location, you can participate from anywhere in the world. I'm the first entrant, wohoo!

It's been a while since I've blogged. I've been running/biking/kayaking, but no high mileage.

I visited my parents this weekend, and ran in the Grant County Fair mile race. the RD said it was actually 1500 meters. This was the first time I had ever run a race less than a marathon so I didn't really know what to do. I started out too slow. I tucked in behind the lead female, as my goal was not to get chicked. Half way through, I realized her pace was too slow and the race was already half over, so I picked it up. There was a group of 5 up ahead of me towards the end, I could have caught them and finish 3rd if I hadn't of gone so slow in the beginning, but I ran out of room. I finished first in my age group and 8/41 overall, in a time of 5:08, which would have been around 5:28 had the race been a full mile. I think I could have run 4:55 if I had better pacing.

Congrats to all those that ran Burning River this weekend! I enjoyed tracking your progress online!