Best runs

Eldorado Springs to Boulder via Mesa Trail: +1,980/-2,772.  10.64m.  2:20:50.  We have a new office at 1050 Walnut Street in Boulder.  One of my favorite things about it is the run I get to do from my house.  I did it for the first time today - a solid 2:20 on Mesa Trail.  I’m sure I’ll speed this up over time, but in addition to a huge altitude gain / loss I started off with 100 oz of water in my Camelback.  It was a stupendous run – I can’t wait to do it again.

Boston – Charles River.  3.52m.  34:48.  Today I flew.  At sea level I can go 1 to 2 minutes / mile faster at the same effort.  When I lived in Boston (from 1983 – 1995) I’d regularly do a bridge loop (3m) or two (6m) around the Charles River.  At 7am today, the weather was absolutely perfect ideal magnificent stupendous for a bridge loop so I cranked one out.  I pushed hard and it felt great.  Just like I was 20, except I’m 40 pounds heavier and 3 minutes / mile slower.

Eldorado Springs Trail.  4.96m.  1:27:48.  I love trail running.  It’s slow, especially when I have a net gain of 1,751 (followed by a net loss of the same - think bell curve.)  But – I like slow.  Today was a 5m run in my backyard – up Eldorado Springs Trail and then back down through private property to the reservoir and then my house.  I didn’t see a single person.  The clouds were heavy and damp from the rain last night and the Grateful Dead was jamming along on the iPod. 

Manhattan – Central Park – 6.75: 1:03.  I covered a 10k in 58:30.  It was a perfect day for a run – sunny and 50 degrees.  I figured I’d just go out slow but I felt great so kicked it into a higher gear.  The Red Hot Chili Peppers were once again on the iPod.  I did the big Central Park loop – just felt great all the way and had a few sub-8 stretches on the downhills.

Manhattan: Central Park: 4.95.  48:11.  I cruised today.  It was a magnificent day out.  I had Coverville on the iPod.  I was well rested. I even started thinking about doing a 24 hour run somewhere.

This morning is why after 25 years of running I still start most of my days with a run. Of course I have a few more aches and pains than I used to have, but it is all worth while. I ran with two great running partners, Dave and Simon. It was a beautiful morning that got warmer as the run went on. I met Simon at our usual corner of the trail on our Thursday morning runs and we surprisingly ran into Dave just around the turn. Us three ran together for about a mile having a nice conversation and enjoying the run before Dave, the sprinter of the three of us, turned back for home. Simon and I continued on chatting and laughing about how we get so nervous and uptight about even small local races or "fun runs".

A Sub 5 minute mile at age 50 or beyond is indeed pretty hard as I found out in March. The short story is I just squeezed in under 5. The full story follows.

Boston/Cambridge, MA: 4.5m.  45:55.  Amy and I spent the night in Boston.  I lived here for 12 years and ran around the Charles River 1,342,642 times.  Today was another beautiful run – it’s one of the great runs of the world.  It was crisp, a little chilly, and windy on the Saturday before the Boston Marathon.  The weather is supposed to become really crappy tomorrow and there has been some gossip among the locals about cancelling the marathon, but I don’t believe it.  I pushed a little today – got my heart rate up to 178 and averaged

I had a great 5m run this morning. Quiet, cool, the smell of night jasmine. My in-laws flew in yesterday from Miami, so my run this morning was some much needed therapy. After the endorphins kick in, so much nonsense can just roll off your back. No need to pick your battles when you've already conquered hills! I love running :)

guys,
I just found out I won FIRST place in my age category!!!! My first first place! (I usually get 3rd or so)~
 yyaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy!!!! ...