Sea legs hit the road

After a week off to take a cruise to Alaska, I was back on the road Monday and today.

Monday's run of 5.2 miles was done at an easy pace and was designed just to get loosened up and kind of get reacquainted with the road. During the cruise I never ran at all, because the plan was to use the time to rest, and because the notion of trying to get some mileage in on the treadmill with the ship rolling around seemed like an unnecessary risk. I spent all my time on the eliptical trainer (one day I spent 30 min. climbing the stairs up 10 decks three and a half times).

Sunset on the Pacific from our cruise ship.

It was warm Monday by the time I got out there, but I went pretty slowly and just avoided doing anything with the run but getting from point A to point B. I averaged 9:50 per mile.

This morning I caught up with the 20-mile long run that had been scheduled for Saturday. We were at sea Saturday on our way to Victoria, B.C.

Once again, all I wanted to do with this run was complete it. Speed was not a factor. The first two miles were just under 11 and the third was right at 10. Thirteen of the next 14 miles were under 10, and the last three miles averaged 11. I was pretty spent by the time I got to those last three miles. Overall, I averaged 10:04 per mile, which is quite acceptable for a long training run.

Ah...Fall Weather Riding and Running

Thank goodness for our cooler weather!  I finally actually got in a complete run yesterday after work and enjoyed it!  A whopping 3.3 mile run, but still time to build to the KC half (I bagged the full after not consistently running).  last week, Lucy and I enjoyed dinner on our MRC Monday gathering with Carl and Mitchell.  Lucy joined me when she had to rescue me from the tire store where I was busy getting robbed.  (backstory:  flat tire derailed my drive to our run so I drove straight to the tire store, then to dinner with Lucy who picked me up at the tire store).  Our Sept. MRC set a new record for our group:  fastest time ever (seeing at how it took 0 seconds for us bag the run and do dinner instead).  Lastly, here are some pictures from the Labor Day Bike 4 the Brain ride that Mitchell and I did.  Fall cycling really is fun!

This is the Clark Viaduct Bridge which is very cool.  Dedicated bike/pedestrian lower level:

 

This is Mitchell being, well, Mitchell:

Bike for the Brain - 30 mile ride

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/219013362

Bill and I did a fun scenic 30 mile ride.  It was a fundraiser for mental health in Johnson County.  The ride improved my mental health, at least for the day.

It was a well planned course. Except for the 1st few miles, little traffic.  The 1st few were on city streets and lots of bikes because everyone started together.  But after the bikers spread out, it was an easy relaxing ride.  Lots of urban scenery, and with Cliff Drive,the Lewis and Clark Viaduct bridge, and some other parks, it had great natural scenery too.

Bill and I averaged 13.1 mph. Bill was a bit faster, but waited for me at the lights.  It was hot and hilly, so neither of us wanted to go faster.

The custard at the end of the race was the best ever.  (But that's only because I was hot and hungry.  But it was pretty good.)

Let's do this one again.