piping up (briefly)

You've heard nothing but crickets here for the past week because I just started a new job. And by the time I get home, I'm too tired to even read other people's blogs, much less post on my own.

But here I am. At least for the next few minutes.

The Sunday before last I ran 13.1 miles, the first 10.5 with a new running group. Except only three of the fast guys showed up. They said they would take it slowly, then we ran the first two miles in 16 minutes. Hmmm. The first mile was downhill, then the next SIX were uphill. Like way, way uphill on a two-lane winding road with no shoulder. Aaargh. We got little to no downhill in the remaining miles, unfortunately. The route just evened out. Sigh.

Yesterday I ran 15.6 miles by myself. And it felt ... well, if not easy ... very, very doable. Averaged about 9:40/mile, a nice, relaxed pace for me. I ran loops around the Rose Bowl, which is exactly 3.1 miles around. The route is a long and gradual uphill on the left side, flattens out at the top, then a gradual decline on the right side, before once again flattening out.

Felt good at the end. Peppy, even. Like I could've run another 3.1 mile loop, and danced a jig at the end.

More later. Peace out.