Weekly Wrap-Up

I had a very busy and wonderful week. You know what that means. LISTS & PICTURES! WOO-HOO!!!

• Monday night - A great 7 miler (1:00:37/8:40 pace).

Another fast time and I think the faster runs are really helping me during my longer runs (duh). It only took me 2.5 years to figure out what everyone else already knows.

• Tuesday - A new job which so far, I love.

• Tuesday night - Temple Football

A former student of J's works for Ohio University and they played Temple. So we went to a game at Lincoln Financial Field (where the Eagles play) as a guest on the sidelines - but on the OU side. We met some old friends there and had a great time (even though it was REALLY cold).









We even got to go into the press room, get free food and hang out in the press box while Ohio Radio was covering the game.



Unfortunately, being on the Ohio side meant we didn't get to meet Bill Cosby when he came onto the sidelines at the start of the game on the TEMPLE side. Sigh. Story of my life. Here is Dr Huxtable on the Jumbotron.



• Friday evening - nice, easy 6.2 mile run (59:59/9:40 pace)

• Saturday morning - laziness.

I did something I have never done in all my time in training - I skipped a long run. It was pretty bad. I was dressed and out the door when J just looked at me and handed me the key. My heart and head wasn't into it so I just turned around and went back inside.

How pathetic is that? I'm not sure if it was the fact I ran 6 miles the day before or the fact that it was cold and raining out (probably both), but I just wasn't having it. I decided to get the 16 miles in alone on Sunday morning.

So J ran it by himself and he ran it pretty fast. Last time we ran 16 miles we ran it at a 10 minute pace and he gave me grief for running too fast. He ran it by himself on Saturday at a 9:11 pace, so I think he realized it wasn't all me. He came back and said,

"I guess we are in better shape than we thought."

You think?

• Saturday night - Phillies and New Jersey!

We drove out to New Jersey to have dinner and watch the games (Phillies and Buckeyes) at our friend's house. We had a great time but I was holding back on the fun since I knew I had to run in the morning. Plus, the Buckeyes lost and the Phillie's game was delayed so we didn't even get to watch that since we had to head back for our hour-long drive home. Oh well.

Here is a picture I got of Game 3 as we drove by the stadium on the way home. Crystal clear! LOL!


• Sunday morning - 16 miles

I was a bit worried about the weather when I walked out my front door and saw this:



But it quickly cleared up and the weather ended up being perfect, sunny and in the mid 40's!

I was also a little concerned about running 16 miles alone. I have never run more than 9 miles by myself, ever. But I figured it would be a good way to focus on my own running and not worry about someone else's pace. I decided to try and see if I could shave some time off my last 16 miler (2:38/10:00 pace) which felt really good. I knew after last week's 14 mile run I was capable of doing it but after chili and beer the night before, wasn't sure how I would feel.

But as usual, beer and protein proved to be my buddies and I had a great run. I felt strong the entire run and surprisingly wasn't bored out there for over 2 hours alone. I even left my ipod at home and enjoyed the beauty and quiet of a wonderful fall morning in Philly. Jeremy even showed up on his bike the last 2 miles to ride in with me which I thought was really sweet. :)

It must have helped because I smoked my last 16 mile time. I ran it in 2:25:52/9:14 pace.

And I felt great at the end. I probably couldn't keep that pace up for another 10 miles, but I do think that J and I are going to sit down and readjust our game-plan for the marathon. I don't want to sell ourselves short. A 10 minute mile pace just doesn't seem logical anymore and will probably end up being our Plan C. I think we may try for closer to a 9:30-9:40 pace. Our true test will be next weekend during our last 20 miler. I can't believe the marathon is so close now! It has flown by!

• Sunday afternoon - The zoo, Philly sports and beer.

We met with some friends who were taking their girls to the zoo. It was our first time at the Philadelphia Zoo (the first zoo in the country, btw) and we had a lot of fun. Later, we found a new bar by our house and drank a few beers and watched some Philadelphia teams kick butt.

ONE MORE GAME PHILLIES!!!

Here are some of our new friends from the zoo.













Yes, the turtles are doing what you think they are doing.

Monday, 10/20 - 7 miles/1:00:37 - 8:40 pace
Tuesday, 10/21 - off
Wednesday, 10/22 - off
Thursday, 10/23 - off
Friday, 10/24 - 6.2 miles/59:59 - 9:40 pace
Saturday, 10/25 - off
Sunday, 10/26 - 15.72/2:25:52 - 9:14 pace.

Total Weekly Mileage: 28.92 (RUN)
Total Weekly Mileage: 0 (BIKE)