Nice to finally drop back from mileage a bit after many weeks in a row over 80, and to finally get a race in. 43 days between races, which happens to be the same gap as Gate River to Clamdigger in the Spring. Felt that for sure, would ideally like to race every 3 weeks or less.
Monday: 7 Miles- Camarillo, CA
Was kind of shocked to look at my mileage plan and see 6 for Monday. I've been doing the same 8 mile run in Camarillo for 7-8 weeks on Mondays that it felt really strange to vary up. I never really feel like running on Mondays, especially so now having run every day of the year so it didn't feel like a treat or anything. I think I was a bit heavy on this.
Tuesday: 11 Miles- Thousand Oaks, CA
Typical Kimber park road/trail mixer. Lowlight was being told to stop running by horseback riders. I guess they're right but I don't really like being told what to do. I never really know how to deal with running past horses and I selfishly enjoyed that many trails in RI are not multi-use and foot travel only. Felt absolutely terrible for a few miles early on, no energy at all and then it kicked in later. Interesting how that works. Kind of makes sense if I didn't eat breakfast, but I had my usual oatmeal.
Wednesday: 12 Miles- Thousand Oaks, CA
Peppertree workout on the usual hilly tempo loop. Did 4 mile warm-up, then 3 mile uphill tempo. On the longer efforts, I usually have a final mile or 2 on downhill Lynn road but with this being shorter I ended on a really tough/steep climb. Splits went about 5:45-5:55-6:10 but an even GAP with progressively harder hill. I've done enough workouts on this loop + a few faster hill workouts that hopefully I should be strong for the hills in Berkeley and Honolulu. Overall this felt like a good effort and not too hard. Actually rained a bit on Lynn Road and just past it, marking the first rain since arriving in Thousand Oaks in August.
Thursday: 10 Miles- Agoura Hills, CA
Usual short Cheeseboro loop. The short version of the loop (9.5 miles) is such a great run. Goes by quickly, some nice ups and downs, good scenery. Probably in my top 5 regular routes considering all of my RI/CT runs and NH. The route was different today post rain- a little green and the soil a lot less dry. Also got drenched early because it was quite humid for once.
Friday: 8 Miles- Thousand Oaks, CA
Peppertree 8 mile loop I've done before races. Felt really great on Cheeseboro Thursday but kind of generally below average on this. Did a few strides which felt neither good nor bad. I should really get into a routine with strides as they can make faster stuff more comfortable but I barely ever do them.
Saturday: 5 Miles- Morgan Hill, CA
Like before San Jose, I ran on the coyote creek bike path in Morgan Hill (just south of San Jose city limit). Fairly long and boring drive up so it was nice to stretch the legs a little. I forgot to bring any trainers so I stopped by Dick's sporting goods and just picked up the cheapest decent looking pair I could find- tried out my first ASICS. I was a little nervous about trying out a new shoe right before a race but didn't really have another choice.
On/off rain most of the day, but fortunately a dry window for the run. Not that I mind running in the rain, but it would have pretty inconvenient to get everything soaked going into a race without replacements. Last time here I felt pretty flat but managed 6:40 pace without really trying. Today I ran 6:30 feeling some stiffness and a bit of unresponsiveness from the shoes, but overall fairly smooth. I forgot how much of an impact supershoes make and felt great on the strides. Headed into Berkeley for packet pickup which I cut really close and then stayed the night in Oakland.
Sunday: 18 Miles
4 Miles- Oakland, CA
Warm-up + cool down. Warm up did loops around the large hotel parking lots which was perfect as the loop was half a mile and well lit in the dark. Wasn't going to cool down but didn't feel terrible and it was a good extension for 70 on the week. OAB on the bike path.
14 Miles- Berkeley, CA
Berkeley Half Marathon. Race went really well, pretty much a best case scenario which doesn't happen often. Definitely my best road race ever and in the running for one of my best period. 1:10:20 on a very hilly (650' of gain) course, feels like a small breakthrough and absolutely worth a sub-1:10 on a flat course. Getting there and a huge confirmation that grinding away at mileage, long runs and hills is working. I think if I do something similar next Spring and summer I'll finally see times I've been looking to run for years.
Andrew and I went to the Oakland zoo post race, which was decent but underwhelming. The 6 hour drive back was not fun. Speaking of Oakland, some of the areas I drove through were among the worst I've ever seen.
Weekly Total: 70 Miles
Weekly Highlight: 31 second PR at Berkeley on a tough course. I'm making good progress and setting myself for success later on.
Weekly Lowlight: This was a good running week. My only real complaint was just how tiring Sunday was and making a long, tedious drive back in the dark.
3 weeks left to Honolulu. Mostly easy running until then as no more high 80s/low 90s week, no more 20+ long runs. Just some moderate workouts and then start to taper. What won't be so easy is schoolwork as with also 3 weeks left I have a lot of major projects, papers and exam due which will be a real grind.
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