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December 31, 2004
Yeah for the New Year
Today's run was a little tougher than expected. I decided that I would finally make it to the top of Lookout Mountain on my run. I cheated a little by starting at Indian Painted Rocks, but I wanted to increase my chances of actually making it. After 30 minutes of nothing but uphill running on logging roads I finally started bush whacking my way to the top. Actually, not very many bushes, but it was definately very steep and difficult hiking. It took another 15 minutes of this to finally reach the top. The most exciting part about reaching the top was running back down on the logging trails and trying to find an actual trail route from the top to the bottom. The roads are so random through the area that I've tried and failed a couple times to make a connection. Fortunately I succeeded this time. Now I can try to retrace my steps to run the whole way to the top without walking. It won't be tomorrow though 'cause its going to snow here tonight.
Happy 2005 y'all.
PS - 2004 Running Total ~ 2207.5 miles or 42.45 miles per week
James' Running (week 6 of 6) -> 35 of 50 miles
Fri: 8 miles, run to top of Lookout Mountain from IPR
Thurs: 7 , Running downtown with RJ
Wed: 9 miles, Mt. Spokane Loop (50min Snowshoe, 40 min Run)
Tues: 7.5 miles, Deep Creek Loop
Mon: 3.5 miles, Llew's loop at U-High
Posted by at 4:35 PM
December 30, 2004
Head Cold/Chest Cold
I can't really tell what I have anymore, either a head cold or a chest cold. Fortunately I have like zero work to do all week so this cold has actually been good. Getting me to slow down and take a real break. Yesterday in addition to my run/snowshoe adventure I did next to nada! I did manage to fit in a basketball game and a movie, but nothing that required thought or energy on my part. I guess if I had to pick a week to be sick, this one isn't too bad. Nothing but running and resting so far. Hopefully tomorrow will be that fateful day where I wake up and feel normal again. Afterall, I do still have exams to grade before Monday.
James' Running (week 6 of 6) -> 20 of 50 miles
Thurs: ? , Running downtown with RJ
Wed: 9 miles, Mt. Spokane Loop (50min Snowshoe, 40 min Run)
Tues: 7.5 miles, Deep Creek Loop
Mon: 3.5 miles, Llew's loop at U-High
Posted by at 11:54 AM
December 28, 2004
Love the NyQuil
Loving the NyQuil/fever induced dreams the last couple nights. Bed sores are not cool though. I feel better today. Lots of sun too!
Heading out to run the Deep Creek Loop today. Should be another slow one.
James' Running (week 6 of 6) -> 11 of 50 miles
Tues: 7.5 miles, Deep Creek Loop
Mon: 3.5 miles, Llew's loop at U-High
Posted by at 12:27 PM | Comments (1)
December 26, 2004
Extra Slow Miles
I ran extra slow miles today because my slackerness finally caught up to me. I had to run 12.5 miles today with a fever and chest cold. Bah Hum Bug!
James' Running (week 5 of 6) -> 50 of 50 miles
Sun: AM - 9 miles, Dam run (really slow), PM - 3.5 miles, Karlin's Run
Sat: 5 miles, Fleming Loop
Fri: 8 miles, Homestead
Thur: 7 miles, Crazy 8 loop+
Wed: 11 miles, RO's run
Tues: 0 miles, lifted weights
Mon: 6.5 miles, Camelot
Posted by at 2:24 PM | Comments (2)
December 25, 2004
A White Christmas Day
Yeah for a White Christmas! Lots of cool running gear for presents this year. Thankfully some new and improved reflective gear too! The days are finally starting to get longer and in no time it'll actually be light out when I run. Sunset is back up to 3:58 pm.
Happy Holidays and Happy new year!
James' Running (week 5 of 6) -> 32.5 of 50 miles
Fri: 8 miles, Homestead
Thur: 7 miles, Crazy 8 loop+
Wed: 11 miles, RO's run
Tues: 0 miles, lifted weights
Mon: 6.5 miles, Camelot
Posted by at 9:05 AM
December 19, 2004
Never a doubt
Somehow I managed to dig myself out again. Hopefully I won't get so deep next week, especially with x-mas on the weekend and all. My batteries are still recharging, but I am at least motivating before noon. I'm spending most of this week packing up and moving into my new "digs" and wrapping presents.
James' Running (week 4 of 6) -> 50 of 50 miles
Sun: 9 miles, Dam Run
Sat: AM-4.5 miles, Switchbacks, PM-7.5 miles, Cow run++
Fri: 8 miles, Hemlock++
Thurs: 10 miles, Karlin's + Rutter
Wed: yeah right - 0 miles
Tues: 7 miles, Cow run
Mon: 4 miles, switchbacks.
Posted by at 2:04 PM | Comments (2)
December 18, 2004
Progress
Vacation has set in...I'm feeling too lazy to type. Barely managing to get out the door to run. Hopefully this apathy will be gone soon. I still have x-mas shopping to do!
James' Running (week 4 of 6) -> 33.5 of 50 miles
Sat: AM-4.5 miles, PM-?
Fri: 8 miles, Hemlock++
Thurs: 10 miles, Karlin's + Rutter
Wed: yeah right - 0 miles
Tues: 7 miles, Cow run
Mon: 4 miles, switchbacks.
Posted by at 12:04 PM
December 15, 2004
Two busy days
Hardly time to breathe this week! Only 24 hours 'til I'm on break.
James' Running (week 3 of 6) -> 50 miles
Wed: yeah right - 0 miles
Tues: 7 miles, Cow run
Mon: 4 miles, switchbacks.
Posted by at 2:31 PM | Comments (1)
December 13, 2004
Vacation Over...4 days 'til Vacation!
Yeah, back from my mini-but-$$$ vacation. I am fully energized and only have 3 days of work to do before I get a two week break! This weekend was as good as expected and then some. First, the weather was near perfect. My only complaint was that some fog rolled into Coronado Saturday afternoon and stayed through Sunday. We went to La Jolla on Saturday afternoon anyhow though and there was lots of sunshine there! I spent nearly $150 on food alone this weekend-but the food was worth it, no skimping for me.
Friday I arrived in San Diego on-time, but a little tired from the 5 AM flight. Ran the 6-mile island loop, took a nap (on a beach chair), went to Old Town for Mexican dinner, had drinks in the piano bar, and went to bed early.
Saturday I woke up at 6 AM, ran the 6-mile island loop, went to the Footlocker finals, bought a souvenir dri-fit hat, had lunch at Moondoggies in La Jolla, took a nap, dinner in the Gaslamp district and drinks at the piano bar.
Sunday I woke up a 7:30 AM, ran 10 miles with Alison on the Imperial Road, at lunch at the Del, flew back to Spokane – stopped in at the red carpet club in San Diego and the Board room in Portland, then went to dinner and wine tasting at the Bs.
Sorry this is so sparse, but I have tons to do tonight, tomorrow and Wednesday.
Today, I ran Switchbacks with C – 4 miles.
James' Running (week 3 of 6) -> 50 miles
Mon: 4 miles, switchbacks.
Sun: 13.5 miles, 10 miles with Alison on Imperial Road, 3.5 miles on the beach
Sat: 6 miles, Island Loop
Fri: 6 miles, Island Loop
Thurs: 10 miles, Crazy 8 loop + Betty’s
Wed: 11.5 miles, Haynes conservation area/Moon Tower to Cow run from Rafferty's
Tue: 3 miles treadmill
Mon: 0 miles
Posted by at 5:13 PM
December 10, 2004
Airline Follies
Its 1:30 AM and I’m up! The 5 AM flight seemed like a good idea when I booked it – i.e. the whole 9:30 AM arrival time was a good idea. For some reason I didn’t figure out that 5 AM departure really means a 3 AM departure from my house! Fortunately the margaritas on the beach at 11 AM will save me in the long run.
Today’s run wasn’t too bad. I tried to pack in as many miles as possible on the off chance that I won’t be able to fit in a decent run tomorrow. Its still pretty snowy here, or it was until it started raining tonight. How is it that Mother Nature decided to pick this weekend, the weekend that I’m flying 1000 miles south, to attempt new record highs in Spokane? I felt pretty smug about the 75 degree temperatures in San Diego until I found out it would be 50+ degrees here. This comes after two straight weeks of highs under 35 degrees. Oh well, at least I can brag about the sun and the beach.
James' Running (week 3 of 6) -> Will he make it to 50 again? 25.5 to go in 3 days
Thurs: 10 miles, Crazy 8 loop + Betty’s
Wed: 11.5 miles, Haynes conservation area/Moon Tower to Cow run from Rafferty's
Tue: 3 miles treadmill
Mon: 0 miles
Posted by at 1:31 AM
December 8, 2004
Mudhoggin' Good!
After falling behind again this week I'm getting a little earlier start on catching up. This morning's run was a really nice Mudhoggin' Good! run. A rare treat here in Spokane. Most of the time the porous sandy ground sucks up all the water and there isn't much mud hoggin to be done. Today was different though. Lots and lots of puddles to run through :) I ended up doing about 11.5 miles this morning. I was going to run again this afternoon, but my schedule filled up right quick when I came into work. I now have every second booked from 2:20 'til 9:30 pm. That leaves me 30 minutes to write my "Course Synthesis" paper for tonight's class. Hmmm...I don't think this one will be my best work.
James' Running (week 3 of 6)
Wed: 11.5 miles, Haynes conservation area/Moon Tower to Cow run from Rafferty's
Tue: 3 miles treadmill
Mon: 0 miles
Posted by at 1:48 PM | Comments (2)
December 6, 2004
Snowing
Oh sure, now its snowing! In protest of our weatherperson's inaccuracy I am taking the day off. Actually, it could be because its cold, wet, and I'm tired!
Yesterday I finished off my 42 miles in 4 days. It was nice that I did it with 14 and 15 mile days so that the 7 and 6 mile days would seem easier. I decided to take a friend's dog with me on the run to keep me company. The dog is a german short-hair that was appearantly bred for running. I think the dog, "Choco", liked the run. It was probably his first run like that ever in his life. I could tell he was bred to run, because he only actually broke into a run when I was going downhill, the rest of the time he pretty much trotted. I was really happy to have him along during the steep uphills, where he was pretty much pulling my up the hill. I didn't let him off his leash though, 'cause I was afraid he'd run after some deer and never find his way back. Choco being someone else's dog, I couldn't take the risk. He didn't seem to mind though as he was pretty much pulling me down the path the whole way without getting distracted very often. If all German short-hairs are this good to run with I might have to get one of my own.
James' Running
Mon: 0 Miles
(50 miles for the week)
Sun: 6 miles (Powerlines+) with Choco
Sat: 15 miles, RJ's loop to Ross's Loop from Rafferty's
Fri: 7 miles, Fairwood Loop - no cows
Thur: 14 miles, Dam Run + Centennially Trail to mile 34.75 OnB
Wed: 0 miles, Too much! Work from 8 AM 'til 9:30 PM
Tues: 4 miles - 800, 5x400 at Holmberg Park
Mon: 4 miles - Karlin's Run +
Posted by at 3:16 PM | Comments (1)
December 4, 2004
Getting up early to beat the snow storm!
I set my alarm for 6 am this morning because the news called for "The Storm of the Decade" with 6" of snow to fall by 9 am and another 6-12" by Sunday morning. I of course wanted to beat the snow. At 6 my alarm went off and I pushed the snooze button as always, looked out the window and saw no snow. 10 minutes later, the alarm went off again and I realized I had only dreamt that I looked out the window are hadn't actually even moved. So this time I really did look and there was no snow! Since my goal was just to beat the snow I reset the alarm for 7 and went back to sleep. After several more snoozes and turning on the TV to figure out why there was no snow I finally made it out the door a little after 8.
I was depressed about not getting to run in the snow so I had to go looking for some. Most of the snow from last week is melted away, but if you take the right trails you can still find a bit here and there. I wanted to get at least 10 miles since I needed 21 miles between today and tomorrow to get in my 50 miles. I headed out to the trails where I thought there would be snow. I ran a loop called RJ's loop, which was a little ambitious considering how hilly it is but at least there was a decent amount of snow.
About 40 minutes into the run I got fairly greedy and decided I wanted to run to the top of Tower Mountain. As RJ and Fred know this is a tricky proposition since the trails go all over and are impossible to navigate on the first or second try. My attempt turned out to be fairly unsuccessful and I was already an hour into the run before I finally came upon a trail that I actually recognized.
My new challenge involved the realization that I was still 7 miles away from home! I ended up opting for a slight longer route home so that I could stay on the trails and finally dragged my aching body into the house after 15 miles.
The good news is that I only need 6 miles tomorrow to reach my goal for this week. The bad news is that those 6 miles are going to hurt - a lot!
On a separate note I was extremely happy to see the results form this weekend's high school races. First, the top girl on my team ran down right awesome. She finished 59th in the seeded race in 20:09 at Mt. Sac! Not bad for not racing in the past month and her first trip to Footlocker. Also, "Tyson's Army" finished 3rd in the Nike Team Nationals race. That's the Mead HS XC team that I run with when I want to get my butt kicked. They're a hard working group of guys that were ranked 16th going into the race. I am very happy they put a great race together.
Enough writing, I have to drive home before I get snowed in here. Not, still no new snow on the ground. "Storm of the Decade" - maybe if you live in Florida!
James' Running
Sat: 15 miles, RJ's loop to Ross's Loop from Rafferty's
Fri: 7 miles, Fairwood Loop - no cows
Thur: 14 miles, Dam Run + Centennially Trail to mile 34.75 OnB
Wed: 0 miles, Too much! Work from 8 AM 'til 9:30 PM
Tues: 4 miles - 800, 5x400 at Holmberg Park
Mon: 4 miles - Karlin's Run +
Posted by at 12:16 PM
December 2, 2004
Catching Up
Booo for having too much work this week! As of 3:30 pm today I was sitting at 8 miles for the week and looking at 42 miles in 4 days to reach 50 miles for the week. Although it wasn't pleasant to think about I kept hope alive and headed out for a 9-mile "Dam" loop (with my headlamp of course). At the "Dam" I felt really good (possibly b/c I only had run 8 miles in 3 days), so I decided I could add on and make up some of my missed miles. I ended up adding on 5 miles! The 14 miles didn't hurt too bad because I had to run quite slow, on the trails, in the dark, with only my headlamp to see by. Not to mention the snow on the ground here is mostly patches of ice now. In any case, I feel a lot much better about needing 28 miles in 3 three days to reach my goal. I realize that my legs will be quite sore by Sunday evening, but I am determined to not let my slackerness get to me this week. Next week should be a piece of cake since I'll have the Footlocker Nationals and Sargent Alison to get me through the last couple days.
As for the Marathons, I am planning on running one from the list below, not sure which one yet. I'm just looking to run one for fun this summer...about 3:10ish, I don't want to run one hard and then have to take time off. I do have to get cracking on my 51 marathons in 50 states and DC. So far I have (PA, NY, VA, WA, ID, and IL - 45 to go!)
James' Running
Thur: 14 miles, Dam Run + Centenially Trail to mile 34.75 OnB
Wed: 0 miles, Too much! Work from 8 AM 'til 9:30 PM
Tues: 4 miles - 800, 5x400 at Holmberg Park
Mon: 4 miles - Karlin's Run +
Posted by at 6:19 PM | Comments (1)