Ragnar Leg 3

For leg 3 I took off around 6:00AM which is generally a nice time to run anywhere in the world, excepting equatorial locations, like Baton Rouge. Several factors combined to make this leg the best one yet: I got 2.5 hours of sleep, I ran solo through farmland, I watched the sunrise on the Olympic Mtns, it was mostly flat. Here is the map: http://ragnarrelay.com/race/northwestpassage/legs/31 This leg was by far the easiest of the 3 legs I ran.

Generally in these overnight relays there is precious little time to sleep, but I guess we got lucky and pulled into the van exchange first. I saw the soccer field and immediately grabbed my sleeping bag, therm-a-rest, and ground cloth and hopped in as soon as I could. The night was cool and clear and after gazing at the stars for a bit, fell asleep pretty quickly. My alarm went off at 4:45AM and, admittedly, could have been a little later. But why be stressed when you're trying to run well? No reason in my mind. I puttered around and took my time loosening up and checking on where the other van was and downing 2 Red Bulls. On my "warm up" jog (about 5 min, barely qualifies as anything) I noticed that the Olympics were catching some sun and looking quite beautiful. I was sad to turn around and head home, but had to as I had a team depending on me. Fortunately, the sight kept me company as I ran toward Admirality Inlet through some lovely farmland. To me there is a real romanticisim wrapped up in "The Lonliness of the Long Distance Runner" and I had a fantastic time running the early portion of this leg. I was alone, it was early (not even the farmers were up!), and I had the most beautiful scene open to me. It was the kind of experience only a runner can get, which is why I love them so much. It's easy to push when you have something that beautiful to take your mind off the pain.

After cresting the peak of my leg, I knew it was all downhill and flat, so I really pushed hard and stopped the watch at 43:05, a 5:31 average mile pace. I was extraordinarily happy with this result, it shows that I still have some strength in me.

Miles: 7.8 for the day/53.8 for the week
Pullups: 0 for the day/ 29 for the week

Ragnar Legs 1&2

I ran my first leg around 12:30PM, which usually isn't optimal time to be running, unless you live in the Pacific Northwest. It was overcast and 60ish with a slight breeze, which is just about perfect. I took off with the goal of averaging under 6:00 pace and figuring that my first leg would be the toughest due to the big uphill in it. Here's the map of it: http://ragnarrelay.com/race/northwestpassage/legs/7
Well, I was right as my last mile was in the 7 min range due to the large hill and getting a little confused, though I still covered the 6.5 miles in 40:29, which is a 6:13 average pace. Considering I stuffed my face with toast, eggs, and OJ about 90 mins before running, I'll take it!

I started my 2nd around 9:00PM which was also a very nice time to be out running. This leg took me through the Swinomish Indian Reservation and over a couple of rolling hills, which weren't as bad as they looked on paper. This leg was rated as "Very Hard" though I found it easier than my first leg. I guess I have a warped perspective. Here's the map of it: http://ragnarrelay.com/race/northwestpassage/legs/19

This leg offered some very nice views of the sun setting behind Skagit Bay, whenever a driveway was cut through the trees. I've always gotten a huge kick out of starting a run in daylight and finishing a run in darkness, or vice versa. For this one, I ate a little less and drank a Red Bull to amp me up and ran 42:15 for the 7.2 miles, which is a 5:52 average pace. I felt a little better and pushed a little harder and was again very happy with how I felt.

Miles: 13.7 for the day/46 for the week (OK, it's really 45.95, but there was some jogging involved)
Pullups: 0 for the day/29 for the week (I'm really slacking)

Pre-Ragnar

Otto talked me into run this weekend's Ragnar Relays - Northwest Passage event (http://ragnarrelay.com/race/northwestpassage), which I figured would be a good way to get some nice, hard running in. In preparation for that we just ran one lap around Glendoveer, in 27:30, just keeping it easy knowing the hard stuff was coming.

Miles: 4 for the day/22.25 for the week
Pullups: 0 for the day/29 for the week

Morning + Workout @ HQ

I don't have class until 8:30 on Wednesdays, so I got to school at the usual time and ran a loop of Glendoveer. 4 miles in 26:30 after biking a little bit makes for a fun start to the morning. Especially when you thrown in cinnamon, cranberry, raisin oatmeal and Community Coffee!

Because I am slightly inefficient I went out to Nike's WHQ in Beavertron to run this little workout. It consisted of 4x1000 w/ 60s, 2x1000 w/ 3 min, 4x200 w/ 200j. Goal paces were 3:24/3:07/34. It was an absolutely perfect day for running and I really took advantage of being on Nike's notoriously windless track.

Summary:
2 mile warm up, drills, 4xstrides
3:22.0/3:21.03:20.6/3:20.9
3:06.6/3:05.0
30.9/33.1/33.1/33.4
2 mile cool down, stretching, a little biking because I have to get home somehow.

Another good day's intervals in the tank. I think I'm in better shape than what I think I am, but we'll find out at Ragnar Relay this weekend as I run 21 miles in 24 hours(ish).

Miles: 12.25 for the day/18.25 for the week
Pullups: 0 for the day (I am slacking)/29 for the week (I did 5 yesterday)

Monday Morning!

It came way too quickly. When my alarm went off at 5:30 this morning I was shocked and tired. I even resisted the temptation to go out drinking with my roommate! Though I did go bouldering inside for a couple hours before consuming a couple more beers with my burrito.

After making it to school, I sat through 2 hours of Pathology lecture and 3 hours of Physiology lecture before being released to the wild and 6 easy miles. I did 2 loops of Glendoveer, sans Otto, in 39:35, to average about 6:36 for the run. Pretty satisfactory in my opinion. I'm happy with how I've been able to get back and I'm hoping for some good stuff coming up.

Miles: 6 for the day/6 for the week
Pullups: 24 for the day/24 for the week