Weekend Runs!

Trail Run Saturday 2/18/2012: Ran with Eugene leading and the group we ran the Wissihickon Trails in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia.  This run was about 8 miles with some nice challenging hills and hill repeats. JJ came along for the run too! He had a blast and saw so many other dogs on the trails.
A great run and I felt really strong on the climbs and took it easy on the flats. I wanted to beat my quads up on hills so that when I train on level ground I would be stronger. Plus this also helps when racing if you run harder on practice runs.

West River Drive out and Back 2/19/2012: Well I woke up really early with the crys of the baby Lillian and I couldn't go back to sleep. So I thought I would go the gym and run on the treadmill 4-5 miles.  So I drive down and remembered that the gym didn't open until 8 am. So I couldn't wait and drove back home changed quickly and went for a run on West River Drive.
It was a little chilly at first on the way out.  I think the temperature was in the 30's. I'm not like most runners and I'd rather be warmer from the start and stay warm. 
Because I was only going to run a couple miles at the gym, I figure if I go outside, I might as well do more.  So I ended up running 7 miles with a brief back workout at the gym. I was averaging miles in the 7:20 min/mile and I felt great.  Especially after doing a hard trail run the day before.  Running on the flat West River Drive was a great recovery run for my beat up legs.
Today wore my Brooks Pure Flow shoes, Brooks Spartan Pants, Brooks Essential Running Jacket. 
 

JJ's longest Run

Today 11/27/11 was one of the most beautiful November days and we probably won't see one of these this year.  Weather was a mild 55 sunny day to start the run at 8:45 this morning.
Meet up with Eugene G. and John C. and my new running partner JJ (cocker spaniel puppy)  In Philadelphia as it is better none as the drives, East (Kelly) and West (MLK) we run the Loop - it is a 8.45 mile in distance.

Running the Loop today was a first for me in a long time during a training run.  So I thought I'm not going to run too fast lets bring JJ.  The only issue though JJ had was he's longest run has only been 5 miles.  I wouldn't know for sure what the little boy could handle.  So let's go and do it!
We started on the usually Kelly Drive 1st and then West River Drive 2nd.
Everything was going really well and JJ loves to run in the pack.  Even when Eugene likes to run on his own JJ wanted to catch up to him.  When we reached Falls Bridge (half way point) there was no problem.  JJ did look like he needed to drink a gallon of water.  Philadelphia has a bunch of water fountains on the path, but water was turned off for the winter months.  So there is a small waterfall on the side of the road and little JJ climbed up the side so he can get a quick drink.
As we finished the run JJ was clearly exhausted.  I thought this was going to be the greatest quiet day in the house now.
The only problem now is that JJ's lower body was so dirty and I had to throw him in the tub for a bath.

JJ wasn't allowed in the house because his paws were so dirty.

Check out all the mud on the those pads and hair.

JJ was so good in the tub and he loved the warm water and the rub down he got from Jess and I. After that he was let out of the bathroom, sat down and then went over to the window to let the sun beat down on his coat.

 

 But after he went to dry off he got tired and passed out. 

This is what it really feels like to run almost 9 miles.

Let's see how well JJ will feel on Monday.  Time will tell!!!!