Biking Through Week 12.

I'm really wanting one of those cyclocross bikes.  I wish I'd known about them when I purchased my hybrid.  Anyway.  Before buying a new bike, my wife points out I should put a few miles on my current bike.  So today, after doing my 'off-track' intervals with Larry (2x1 miles 6:50ish; 1x800 6:30ish + bitch hill) I biked home today - my first ride in about 4 weeks (last one was sept 20th).  I'll take it into work tomorrow.  Rain Wednesday could push my long run back to Saturday - but that's ok - I'm still thinking I'm going to have a great week training.  Starting to feel good about this race.  I'll plan I buying my kick-ass bike next summer if we move up to Mass as a reward for all the hastle.  Of course, if we stay, I'll buy one anyway...

16 Candle Salute.

I was saddened to learn that John Hughes died yesterday of a heart attack at the all to early age of 58. I was a pretty nerdy 12-13 year old, on the cusp of high school myself during Hughes' hot streak of movies - and would have trouble today finding 3 movies that define that age/time better than "the Breakfast Club", "Weird Science" and "Sixteen Candles". These movies made such an impression - that I still feel like I'm watching "older kids" when I see the Breakfast Club on TV - because I was still looking up in age at them the first time I watched it. I can only hope my own children have such wonderful/enjoyable/impactful movies during their own pre-teen/teenage years.

Of course, nothing like a too soon celeb-heart attack to get you motivated to run: did 8.75 miles home on Thursday. It felt great - we're having this fall-like weather that makes running a pure joy - no wonder I hated it growing up in Arizona. I biked in Friday out of necessity - since my car was still at work. Total mileage so far: 14 running and over 45 on the bike (+11 x-training miles). This marked my first week of marathon training - and I'm now officially signed up for Philly. Off to a great start.

Summer Steamer

100% humidity has finally arrived. The amazing thing is the temps have been moderate enough that I haven't put in the AC window units yet. Still, it makes running and biking a sweaty proposition. I've biked in and home the last two days - 36 miles total (good for 9 eq.miles) - and yesterdays ride home yesterday made me a disgusting ball of sweat. I also did a short 4 miler at lunch yesterday with similar disgusting results. On the plus side -I'm feeling pretty good for the most part - the allergies have subsided (I won't say gone away - I still feel as though my throat is closing up a little some times) and my legs feel better than they have. I felt my lower back and forearms a little on yesterday's ride home - but that's more normal - I can deal with that.

More Biking

Biked in and back from work again today. Felt better. Hopefully these will get easier. 3 hours total of biking this week. Good news - the weather doesn't suck.