New PR on Lunchtime Run Course with Mike P

Today was a really busy day, with me having time in the NSI for depositions and on the UV-Vis so scheduling got a bit tight. As it was, Mike and I had to put off our run until about 12 and even then I hadn't gotten to eat anything since breakfast. All this led me to throw down a couple sports beans pre-run and then hit the road. As it was just Mike and I, we got going and I quickly found out that we were starting off at a bit quicker pace than we anticipated, knocking out the first two miles in 7:48 and 7:38, before Mike mentioned it and we pulled back some. However, that next mile incorporated the big hill and we thought we were slowing, but still finished mile 3 in 8:32 and then pushed out the remaining miles in 7:56, 7:50 and 8:00 and finishing the last 0.15 miles at a 7:26 min/mile pace. Overall it was quite the tiring run and took a great deal out of me. However, it was a PR for the course for me, so I can't complain too much!

Morning Trainer work with Betsy!

Because the weather was so poor, Betsy and I made the executive decision last night that Track Practice was a no go. Therefore, we got up early this morning and headed downstairs before Cole woke up and got in a trainer workout. Betsy and I decided to do the Spinervals Recharge, and it went really well. Overall it was a good workout, although doesn't make up for having to miss out on track!

Lunchtime Run with Mike P, Bill and Mike.

After our run yesterday, Mike P and I decided to get together for a lunchtime run today, putting in our usual 10k. We started off with Bill and Mike as well, with Bill and Mike dropping off a bit behind as we got going. Once we got in gear, we put in a great effort, starting off with an 8:32 mile, but following that up with a 7:50 mile then finishing the third mile with the big hill in 8:07. After that, we went up a bit more, then saw that Bill was climbing the hill so we decided to turn around and join back up with him. This caused us to slow for a min before joining together for the rest of the run, finishing in 8:12, 8;02, 8:07 and then the final 0.4 miles at an 8:18 min/mile pace. It was a great run and a great way to break up the day.

Easter Morning Run with Mike P!

Went to the early Easter service this morning with Karen, the headed home to have some breakfast before Mike arrived to go for our run. With Rachel and Zoe out of town, Mike decided to join us for Easter dinner and we decided we would get out for a nice long run to allow us to eat more without the extra guilt! Got out for an initial 6.5 miles, stopping by the house to see if Betsy wanted to join us for the final bit. She decided not to join, so we got going for the final 2.5 mile loop, finishing the 9 mile trip in 1:12:56, good for an avg of 8:06 min/mile overall for a new 9 mile PR! Miles in 8:30, 8:25, 8:06, 7:57, 8:00, 8:02, 8:03, 7:57 and 7:56 min.

Waiting out the rain, then got in my bike ride.

It rained all morning, so I had to wait all day before the rain finally broke around 3PM and I was able to grab my bike and hit the road for a short ride. Got going and put in a nice ride of just over 20 miles. Felt pretty strong, especially on the first big hill on Marshall Hall Rd, but by the turn around down in Indian Head, ran into a pretty stiff head wind and took a lot out of me. Did alright though, averaging 18.6 mph for my second road ride of the year. Looking forward to a nice easy run tomorrow with Mike P.

Afternoon run with Betsy.

Betsy's mom got in town this afternoon, so after I left my doctor's appt (I have a nasty case of poison ivy) I found I had to wait an hour before I could pickup my prednisone prescription, so I headed home and Betsy and I took off for a quick run to take my mind off the insane itchiness! We got started trying to keep a steady pace and put in 3.5 miles with miles in 8:23, 8:11, 8:05 and then the final half mile at a 7:39 min/mile pace. Felt pretty good, but not great. Officially lost my toenail last night too, now dealing with the weird feeling...

Lunchtime run at work!

So we had a pretty good crew today for an afternoon run. Mike P and I got together for an 11am run on the Oxon Hill route, but when we got to the gym found that a couple others, Bill (who I know from softball), another Mike and a guy Steve from Optical Sciences joined in as well. We got off at a bit slower of a pace, putting in the first mile in 8:46, with me then having to briefly stop to answer the call of nature at about 1 1/4 miles in. As they continued on without me, I put in a strong pace to catch up with them putting in a second mile in 7:46, before settling in with the guys at a decent pace of around 8:30 min/mile. However, just before the big hill, Steve, and Bill peeled off to head back (the other Mike had fallen off and I think he also turned around earlier). Mike and I picked up the pace at this point, finishing mile 3 in 8:36, which includes the 1/2 mile hill that hits up to 13% grades at certain points. From here on, Mike and I finished the next few miles in 7:48, 7:58, 7:51 and the final 0.15 miles at a 7:45 min/mile pace. Really good run, especially considering how I felt on Monday's run and actually turned in a PR on the course without really pushing!

Rainy afternoon run!

So I took the boy with Betsy for a 'recovery' run since Betsy's back was feeling better. Still don't know what she did to her back, but she did really well. So it was pouring rain this morning, but there was an early afternoon break so we hit the road with the BOB, planning on getting in abour four miles. We got going at a really good pace, finishing the first two miles in 8:14 and 8:17. Unfortunately, just as we approached the two mile mark, the clouds began to darken and it began to threaten rain. Of course intelligent parents would have brought the rain shield for the stroller, you know anticipating such a change in the weather, but NOT US!!! That meant turning around about 1/4 mile short and pushing the pace on our easy run to a beyond easy rate! We finished mile 3 in 7:56, then finished the final 3/4 of a mile at a 7:37 pace for a total of 3.76 miles in 30:17. We beat the rain by about 1 minute (so cutting out that 1/4 mile meant alot!), but I did notice that the muscles in my left quad was really tight and may not have completely recovered from the marathon. However, with this being my first run post-marathon, it went pretty well!

Photos from the marathon

Here are some photos from the marathon! Hope you enjoy!!!

Me at Mile 8. Just passed my parents, Betsy and Cole, Bernd and Kelly and Eloise... note the 'entertainment' in the background!


Here is me at about Mile 17. Blue man group apparently was in effect!!!


As I said, Kelly joined in with me at just after the 20 mile mark... was a lifesaver! Actually got a couple pics of the two of us running together too!


Finally, the finish! I actually seem happy! That would be because I was finally done! Well that and the fact that I got the time I wanted! 3:46:26! Can't complain one bit!

Here is a post race shot of the Liesenfeld/Rooney and Caldwell Families! Aren't Eloise and Cole adorable?!

First bike ride of the year! With Betsy too!

Betsy and Hit the road together! Today was a really productive day! Got started by mowing the lawn, raking the remaining leaves and then ripping out all the vines and poison ivy along our fence line. After all that, Elana came over after eating lunch, we left Colvin with Elana and got out for our bike ride. It was really windy, especially with me letting Betsy drag off of me the whole way, so even for the 19 miles that we got in, the wind took a good deal out of me. However, we maintained a pretty nice pace and got to try out my new helmet, which worked quite well.