Sunday, August 1, 2010

Lonely Ramblings

My strengths: Durable, fast recovery, able to be alone. Exploiting these strengths as much as possible can lead to greatness, and then to fix my weaknesses. This week I ran alone for 9 out of the 10 runs I did. The only time I was with other people was today, and I cherish these run more than any. They go by faster and are a lot of fun. Here soon, all of my runs will be with people as camp starts this upcoming Sunday. I really can't wait for that. But in all, I do not mind the lonely running by myself. It gives me a lot of time to think. And that basically answers the question of how I get through these long runs by myself. I love thinking, I do it a lot. If I could read a book while running I would do that as well. But, reading nature is good enough for me. Learning is so good. Loneliness is something I am accustomed to not just in running. This entire summer, living at Reece's, I have pretty much been by myself. Besides the people at work, going home to my family twice, and the occasional runs with Keegan in Chillicothe, the majority of my time has been spent alone. I cook a meal for myself, watch a movie by myself, sing by myself, and so on. I never think about it, I guess I don't mind.

Now, Reece is back home for the summer and I am able to share the experiences with someone. I would take it this way rather than being alone.

All in all though, I think the best weeks of training in my life have been when I was alone. I do not feel in the confines of people running a certain pace, certain number or intervals, and no one is there giving me a hard time about the way I train. I am just free in these situations and the only person there to give me a hard time is myself. And I don't mind doing that once in a while. I think this is a good way to live a life too. Only when you can find the persons, the persons that shares the same thoughts and can feel the same emotions in certain situations, can you surround yourself with people. Until then, living alone isn't such a bad thing. Learning experiences are learned at such a greater level when learned by ones self.

Rambled thoughts in a rambled mind.

Lonely weeks aren't half bad:

Monday 7/26
12 miles (1:24:00). A quicker run to start the week off. Clicked off a few sub 7 miles on the asphalt and then a little slower once I got on the gravel roads.

Tuesday 7/27
AM: 5 miles (38:00). Around the loop trail for a couple of miles and onto Crabtree-Cemetery for the rest. Tried to get Pup to run with me on the trail but she only lasted about 4 minutes.
PM: 10 miles (1:10:00). Feelin' good is good enough for me.

Wednesday 7/28
16 miles (1:55:55). I'm calling this the "Point to Pinnacle" run. Parked at Pond Lick Pond parking area and headed towards Picnic Point to start off. Went up the 2 mile hill and rounded the point. Headed back down the road and veered onto #8 road that later turns into #2 road. This section was about 5 or 6 miles of gravel ridge top, gently rolling, road. I crossed the Pond Lick/Pond Run Pinnacle and continued on #2 until the Hangover exit gate. I then just turned around and went down Pond Lick to my car. Good little route, with a nice initial climb, and ending decent, and a middle section filled with ups and downs.

Thursday 7/29
13 miles (1:36:00). Hurting a little today. I've been running faster and longer for a while now, but I made it through.

Friday 7/30
AM: 5 miles (36:00). I love refreshing morning runs.
PM: 10 miles (1:11:00). 2 times up the Fire Tower Hill.

Saturday 7/31
AM: 5 miles (35:10).
PM: 10 miles (1:11:00). 3 trips up the Fire Tower Hill. 5:55, 5:45, and 5:44 were the times. Wasn't pushing too hard, just maintaining pace.

Sunday 8/1
19 miles (2:29:00). Met with Keegan, Reece, Nate Hauke, and Tom at Lick Run for some nice early morning Great Seal Trail running. Beautiful run. Went all over the park, stayed low for the most part. Legs feeling good with these longer long runs. Calling it 19 miles, thats 7:54 pace and I say we were doing that.

Total Miles: 105
Total Time: 12:47:05

Total for July: 447 miles in 55:15:02

Run On

WMO

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