Resting Pulse: 52 bpm
Weight: 166 lbs.
Course: The Pipeline
Distance: 8 Miles
Time: 60:53
Other Exercises: None
Weather: Not Recorded

Comments: I ran eight miles today. I ran the first two miles easy, the middle four miles hard, and the final two miles easy.

WARR: T-minus 17 Days  ¶ 5:41 PM

 
Resting Pulse: 50 bpm
Weight: 167 lbs.
Course: Soos Creek Trail
Distance: 4 Miles
Time: 31:23
Other Exercises: None
Weather: Not Recorded

Comments: I ran four miles today.

WARR: T-minus 18 Days  ¶ 5:36 PM

 
Resting Pulse: 46 bpm
Weight: 165 lbs.
Course: None
Distance: Zero
Time: N/A
Other Exercises: None
Weather: N/A

Comments: Today was a planned rest day—no workout.

WARR: T-minus 19 Days  ¶ 5:33 PM

 
Resting Pulse: Not Recorded
Weight: Not Recorded
Course: Lake Youngs Loop
Distance: 10 Miles
Time: 82:13
Other Exercises: None
Weather: Not Recorded

Comments: I ran ten miles today. This was the first time in a while that I've run this loop without taking any water with me. I did just fine without it. At one point during the run I slapped at what I thought was a mosquito biting my neck. When I looked in my hand I saw a red spider about the size and shape of a lentil. So, if I drop dead in the next few hours, it was probably the spider bite.

WARR: T-minus 20 Days  ¶ 6:28 PM

 
Resting Pulse: Not Recorded
Weight: Not Recorded
Course: Federal Way Festival Days 5k
Distance: 5k (7 Miles with Warm-up/Cool-down)
Time: 19:22
Other Exercises: None
Weather: Cloudy, Cool

Comments: I ran a 5k race today. The course was hilly and twisty, and I found it quite difficult. I nearly missed a turn at one point because the course marshal was sitting in his truck. I didn't notice his gestures at first because of the glare on the windshield. The runner in front of me didn't see the course marshal at all. Only the shouts of another racer got him back on course once he missed the turn. I was a bit disappointed with my time, but given the undulations of the course, it really wasn't that bad.

WARR: T-minus 21 Days  ¶ 5:48 PM

 
Resting Pulse: 56 bpm
Weight: 165 lbs.
Course: Down by the River
Distance: 3 Miles
Time: Not Timed
Other Exercises: None
Weather: Not Recorded

Comments: I ran three miles at an easy pace today.

WARR: T-minus 22 Days  ¶ 5:37 PM

 
Resting Pulse: 56 bpm
Weight: 164 lbs.
Course: The Wrecking Yard
Distance: 4 Miles
Time: 36:19
Other Exercises: None
Weather: Not Recorded

Comments: I ran four miles at an easy pace today.

WARR: T-minus 23 Days  ¶ 5:34 AM

 
Resting Pulse: 54 bpm
Weight: 165 lbs.
Course: See Below
Distance: 6 Miles
Time: See Below
Other Exercises: None
Weather: Not Recorded

Comments: I ran 6 x half-mile today. I set my countdown timer for six minutes. I ran the half-mile, then used the remaining time for rest. I managed to run most of my halfs right around three minutes flat. The rest of the mileage was warm-up and cool-down.

WARR: T-minus 24 Days  ¶ 6:26 PM

 
Resting Pulse: 56 bpm
Weight: 165 lbs.
Course: Soos Creek Trail
Distance: 4 Miles
Time: 32:59
Other Exercises: None
Weather: Not Recorded

Comments: I ran four miles today.

WARR: T-minus 25 Days  ¶ 6:20 PM

 
Resting Pulse: 58 bpm
Weight: 165 lbs.
Course: None
Distance: Zero
Time: N/A
Other Exercises: None
Weather: Not Recorded

Comments: Today was a planned rest day—no workout.

WARR: T-minus 26 Days  ¶ 6:18 PM

 
Resting Pulse: Not Recorded
Weight: Not Recorded
Course: M-Green
Distance: 6.3K/7 Miles (See Below)
Time: 75:10
Other Exercises: None
Weather: Sunny, Hot

Comments: Today went much better than yesterday. The terrain was more open—lots of orange and white, with almost no green—with a decent network of roads and trails. Also, in a rare occurrence, I didn't make any navigational mistakes. That's not to say I made the best navigational choices, I just nailed the ones I made. However, this resulted in a couple of long legs, and one really steep, unnecessary climb. I certainly could have gone faster if I'd made different route choices—assuming, of course, I didn't get turned around and lose time instead—but all in all, it went fairly well.

WARR: T-minus 27 Days  ¶ 10:08 PM

 
Resting Pulse: Not Recorded
Weight: Not Recorded
Course: M-Green
Distance: 5.0K/11 Miles (See Below)
Time: 1:53:22
Other Exercises: None
Weather: Sunny, Hot

Comments: I don't know why I always do so poorly at A-level orienteering meets. Today, for instance, it took me nearly two hours to complete a 5.0 kilometer course. (Normally, a 5k course takes me 40-50 minutes.) I just couldn't get into the map right away, so I stumbled around for thirty minutes on just the first two controls. I was over-shooting them by quite a bit. I finally settled down and knocked off a few controls fairly quickly, when disaster struck: I made a grievous parallel error. I ran up and down a five-hundred meter stretch of trail three times before I realized that while I was on the correct trail, I was on the wrong section of it. When I finally realized the small ditch I was looking at was on the map, just much further down the trail, I'd lost twenty minutes. In total, I spent thirty-two minutes looking for just that one control.

Also, the meet was east of Snoqualmie pass, so it was quite hot. I didn't take any water with me because there were three water stations indicated on the control sheet. However, it took me so long to get from the first one station to the second one, I felt quite dehydrated when I got there. Based on time and effort, I'm crediting myself with eleven miles of running.

WARR: T-minus 28 Days  ¶ 7:05 AM

 
Resting Pulse: 54 bpm
Weight: 166 lbs.
Course: The Wrecking Yard
Distance: 4 Miles
Time: 36:56
Other Exercises: None
Weather: Sunny, 82°

Comments: I slogged my way through four miles this afternoon. I could barely move. Yesterday's hard workout wiped me out. Worse yet, my left foot started hurting, just in front of my heel.

WARR: T-minus 29 Days  ¶ 10:16 PM

 
Resting Pulse: 50 bpm
Weight: 168 lbs.
Course: 6 x Half-Mile
Distance: 7 Miles (with Warm-up/Cool-down)
Time: See Below
Other Exercises: None
Weather: Sunny, 72°

Comments: I ran six half-mile repeats, with a two-mile warm-up and a two-mile cool-down. I ran the half-miles on the sixes. That is, I gave myself six minutes to run the interval, rest, then start the next one. My average split was about three minutes flat, giving me three minutes of rest. As always, I was surprised how much smoother a fast pace feels. If only I could hold the tempo longer.

WARR: T-minus 30 Days  ¶ 10:16 PM

 
Resting Pulse: 48 bpm
Weight: 167 lbs.
Course: None
Distance: Zero
Time: N/A
Other Exercises: None
Weather: N/A

Comments: I allowed myself to get wrapped up in some projects, and time just bled away. I didn't get in a workout today. Feeling extremely unmotivated, I didn't even bother to cook dinner; Angie and I went out to eat.

WARR: T-minus 31 Days  ¶ 10:24 PM

 
Resting Pulse: 48 bpm
Weight: 167 lbs.
Course: The Wrecking Yard
Distance: 4 Miles
Time: 35:36
Other Exercises: None
Weather: Cloudy, 67°

Comments: I ran an easy four miles after work today. I felt sloppy and uncoordinated. I was still a little sore and tired from the adventure race, and I figured that my fatigued muscles just couldn't maintain decent form.

WARR: T-minus 32 Days  ¶ 10:23 PM

 
Resting Pulse: Not Recorded
Weight: 168 lbs.
Course: None
Distance: Zero
Time: N/A
Other Exercises: None
Weather: N/A

Comments: I was still pretty sore from Saturday's race, and it was really freaking hot outside, so I decided to make today an extra rest day.

WARR: T-minus 33 Days  ¶ 10:22 PM

 
Resting Pulse: Not Recorded
Weight: Not Recorded
Course: None
Distance: Zero
Time: N/A
Other Exercises: None
Weather: N/A

Comments: Today was a planned rest day—no workout. Good thing, too; I'm pretty sore from yesterday's efforts.

WARR: T-minus 34 Days  ¶ 10:21 PM

 
Resting Pulse: Not Recorded
Weight: Not Recorded
Course: Six Degrees Adventure Race
Distance: See Below
Time: 6:15:32
Other Exercises: Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Rappelling
Weather: Sunny, Hot

Comments: Jake and I competed in the Six Degrees Adventure Race today. (I'll write up a separate race report like I did last year, and post it in a few days.) We placed eighth, same as last year, and we still haven't broken six hours. The race was supposed to equal 50k with all of the "degrees" added together, but I think we finished somewhat short of that. However, between three hours of running and two hours of mountain biking, I'm giving myself credit for running 15 miles.

WARR: T-minus 35 Days  ¶ 10:20 PM

 
Resting Pulse: Not Recorded
Weight: 165 lbs.
Course: None
Distance: Zero
Time: N/A
Other Exercises: None
Weather: N/A

Comments: I wanted to put in an easy run today, but I ran out of time. I spent all afternoon and most of the evening putting my gear together for tomorrow's adventure race. I thought I could pack everything up in a couple of hours, but it took me much longer.

WARR: T-minus 36 Days  ¶ 10:19 PM

 
Resting Pulse: Not Recorded
Weight: Not Recorded
Course: The Wrecking Yard
Distance: 4 Miles
Time: 36:19
Other Exercises: None
Weather: Sunny, 77°

Comments: I ran an easy four miles today. My legs felt tired from yesterday's track meet, but I wasn't sore like I expected.

WARR: T-minus 37 Days  ¶ 10:17 PM

 
Resting Pulse: Not Recorded
Weight: Not Recorded
Course: See Below
Distance: 4 Miles Total; See Below
Time: See Below
Other Exercises: None
Weather: Overcast, Cool

Comments: Before tonight, I hadn't run in a track meet in over eight years. I felt a little jittery; I really wanted to perform well. The track leaves you no place to hide. If you're running poorly, everyone knows it, and everyone watches you suffer. Running well on a track takes a focus and concentration that you just don't need in a road or trail race. It requires an element of finesse. I love the track, but I knew I wasn't quite ready to perform on it as I desired. I ran anyway.

I started with the Jogger's Mile. The person whose finishing time is closest to his or her predicted time wins the event. Watchers are forbidden. Participants receive their quarter-mile split, but after that it all comes down to pace. I predicted eight minutes flat, but ran 8:11. I purposefully slowed over the final 100 meters because I thought I was going too fast. I guess I should have sped up instead.

But that event was just a warm-up. I really showed up to run the Mile Race, which started about twenty minutes after the Jogger's Mile. I was raring to go by the time they called us to the line. At the crack of the starter's pistol, we were off.

The field was fairly large, so a lot of jostling and shoving happened during the first 100 meters. I managed to position myself where I wanted to be, tucked in behind the lead pack. I felt like I was moving at a dead sprint. When I hit my first quarter-mile split in 78 seconds, I knew I was in trouble. I was working way too hard for such a slow time.

I managed to maintain my pace for the next two laps, crossing the half-mile mark in 2:35 (a 77-second quarter) and the three-quarter mark in 3:53 (a 78-second quarter). But then I ran out of gas. I'd lost contact with the leaders, who'd stretched into more of a line than a pack. I huffed and puffed and watched them get farther ahead of me. I finally staggered over the finish line after a distressing 86-second final quarter. My total time was 5:19, more than 20 seconds off my goal of 4:55. I guess it's time to do some speedwork.

There was a bright note to the evening, however; I got to break in my brand new, $15 spikes. Check these bad boys out:



WARR: T-minus 38 Days  ¶ 10:51 PM

 
Resting Pulse: 50 bpm
Weight: 166 lbs.
Course: Down by the River
Distance: 3 Miles
Time: Not Timed
Other Exercises: None
Weather: Sunny, 77°

Comments: I jogged three miles at a super-easy pace today. Tomorrow I'm running in my first track meet in eight years, and I want to feel rested and spry. I haven't done any speedwork in ages, so I'll probably do terrible tomorrow, but at least I'll have a chance to wear my brand new spikes.

WARR: T-minus 39 Days  ¶ 10:06 PM

 
Resting Pulse: Not Recorded
Weight: Not Recorded
Course: Big Bend
Distance: 6 Miles
Time: 48:26
Other Exercises: None
Weather: Sunny

Comments: I ran six miles today, running the uphills medium-hard and the rest at an easy pace.

WARR: T-minus 40 Days  ¶ 10:05 PM

 
Resting Pulse: Not Recorded
Weight: Not Recorded
Course: None
Distance: Zero
Time: N/A
Other Exercises: None
Weather: N/A

Comments: Today was a planned rest day—no workout. I watched the World Championships of Track and Field on CBC all afternoon—time well spent, in my opinion.

WARR: T-minus 41 Days  ¶ 10:04 PM

 
Resting Pulse: Not Recorded
Weight: Not Recorded
Course: Lake Youngs Loop
Distance: 10 Miles
Time: 86:31
Other Exercises: None
Weather: Sunny, 70°

Comments: I ran an easy ten miles in the morning. In the afternoon, Angie and I went over to the home of Dragons and Lemurs to celebrate the Dragon's birthday. We started early so we could get in a game of Ultimate Munchkin. The game lasted several hours, during which time I drank many glasses of Scotch. I didn't notice right away that most everyone else was drinking rather sparingly. By the time non-Munchkin playing guests arrived, I well into my cups. To make a long story short, I made an ass of myself. Hopefully, no one holds it against me too long.

WARR: T-minus 42 Days  ¶ 10:03 PM

 
Resting Pulse: 50 bpm
Weight: 166 lbs.
Course: Soos Creek Trail
Distance: 4 Miles
Time: 32:53
Other Exercises: None
Weather: Sunny

Comments: I ran an easy four miles after work. I cleaned up, and then Angie and I headed over to my parents' house for dinner. My sister and her husband were there, too. They just returned from China and shared some of their adventures with us.

WARR: T-minus 43 Days  ¶ 10:02 PM

 
Resting Pulse: 52 bpm
Weight: 167 lbs.
Course: None
Distance: Zero
Time: N/A
Other Exercises: None
Weather: N/A

Comments: I had a quality workout in mind for today, but I was just too tired to pull it off. I took a two-hour nap instead. I'm a bit disappointed with myself, and I can only hope the extra rest helps me more than the missed workout hurts me.

WARR: T-minus 44 Days  ¶ 10:01 PM

 
Resting Pulse: Not Recorded
Weight: 166 lbs.
Course: The Wrecking Yard
Distance: 4 Miles
Time: 35:33
Other Exercises: None
Weather: Sunny, 81°

Comments: I ran an easy four miles today.

WARR: T-minus 45 Days  ¶ 10:00 PM

 
Resting Pulse: Not Recorded
Weight: 166 lbs.
Course: The Pipeline
Distance: 8 Miles
Time: 63:28
Other Exercises: None
Weather: Sunny, 76°

Comments: I started today's run at an easy pace, then poured it on once I hit the four-mile mark. I backed off after seven miles and ran the last mile at an easy pace. It felt good to run fast in a workout.

WARR: T-minus 46 Days  ¶ 7:54 PM

 
Resting Pulse: Not Recorded
Weight: Not Recorded
Course: The Wrecking Yard
Distance: 4 Miles
Time: Not Recorded
Other Exercises: None
Weather: Sunny, 77°

Comments: I managed to fit a four-mile run into a day otherwise spent in and around airplanes. Angie, her sister, and I arrived at Long Beach airport this morning, where we promptly sat and waited two hours for a delayed plane. We then sat on the plane as it traveled back home. After we landed and walked to my truck, we drove over to my parents' house so Angie's sister could pick up her car. Angie and I stayed and chatted with my parents for a while, then finally headed to our house. So, despite a day of running around, I managed to find the energy to go for a run.

After I finished my run, Angie and I went out for dinner before heading over to the Brooks Outlet store I just found out about. I bought some new trainers (approximately my tenth pair of Adrenaline GTS IVs), and I stumbled across a nice pair of spikes that were only $15. Now, I'm only planning to run one track race this year, but I couldn't resist them, especially not at that price.

WARR: T-minus 47 Days  ¶ 11:01 PM