Saturday in the Park

Saturday is usually a longer run, a more relaxing run. But the forecast for the weekend is rain, then heavy rain, then thunderstorms, then more rain. I really didn't think I would be running outdoors this weekend.

But, there seemed to be a window when I could get a run completed without getting too wet. The plan was 8 miles, the goal was to get 9 miles in. Well, early into the run, it seemed that 9 miles was not going to happen. But 8 miles would. A few raindrops started to fall around the 3rd mile. I started slow, but was running nicely in the 8:40 range during the middle of the run. I was stopped for traffic at 75th and Book (for maybe the first time ever) and again briefly at 83rd. I felt my calf cramp when crossing Naperville-Plainfield and eased on in. I was running on an sub 9 minute until the last mile when I finished 8.1 miles in 1:13:02.

A few days earlier, I read what I thought was a ridiculous account on another forum. Another runner claimed that their Garmin started to go backwards. In that case, it was foggy and overcast. This morning, it was drizzling and overcast. And as I finished that last .1 mile, the lap distance went 430 ft, 480 ft, 280ft!!!

It was quiet out there this morning. Only a few runners, a few cyclists, a few walkers with dogs. Let's see 2 dogs, 7 cyclists, maybe 6 runners. A few weeks earlier, I think I saw close to 40 runners.

It's All About Me

Yes, it's all about me.

In this blog, you'll read mostly about me. There may be some stories about my wife Lori or my son Patrick. But this is my blog. They can write their own blog.

You'll hear about my running and golfing adventures. Right now, it will be 65% running and 35% golfing. The percentages may change. We'll see how my health goes, how my running progresses, or how my golf game progresses.

The First Entry

Every blog has to start somewhere. So, this is the first entry. Today is March 30 and I'm just 3 days from my 49th birthday. Well, at least I'm not 50. Not yet.

On Wednesday, I gave a Double Red Blood Cell donation. I was the first person at the Sts. Peter and Paul Blood Drive who agree to do a Double RBC - I think this actually surprised them. First, Heartland Blood Center needed to get special permission from one of their doctors because my heart rate of 46 was lower than they like to see during a RBC doantion. It took abbout an hour. The downside, I think, is that I'm not eligible to donate blood for 16 weeks instead of the normal 8.

I actually felt fine afterwards, and the next day -- which was a rest day for me. But in this morning's run, I was suffering from a lack of energy. I ran 6.3 miles, most of it through the Springbrook Forest Preserve (see picture above). The first mile was at a crisp 8:34, but the subsequent miles were close to a 9 minute pace. Not a terrible run, but without the energy that I felt earlier this week.

Click Here for a Map of the Springbrook Prairie Trail

Rain is expected through the weekend, so I'm not sure what lies ahead. Might be running inside ...