crazy...I'm crazy

Yes folks, it is that time.

The other day I was fretting about something and Loren was just staring at me.

I said WELCOME TO MY TAPER!!!!!

She's been through this before so she just shook her head.

I seem to have some bruising under my big toe nail. I dont know how this happened. In all my years of running, I've had 1 black and blue nail that I lost. 

ONE.

And it was after my first marathon in 1999.

It hasn't full on bruised and I hope it doesn't. I noticed it for sure when I was running but it was more annoying that anything.

And speaking of running, since that's what we do here, I just got back for a nice, generic 7 miles with 8x100 strides. Really nothing exciting to report there.

While the temps have dropped, it's still humid so I'm still sweating like  a pig.

Oh well.

Tomorrow should be an interesting work out, mile repeats, but we'll get to that tomorrow.

9999999 19

ok, so it wasn't really 19, I just wanted to go with the musical theme of my titles. It was 18.21 according to my Garmin. According to NYRR it was 18. Yup the 18 mile tune up race. For me, it was run with a number. A great one too, right in my own back yard, Central Park. Now 3 loops of Central Park can rarely be described as fun. Under any conditions. For those of you who dont know, Central Park is hilly. It really doesn't have any flat spots. 

When I got up this morning I checked the weather. 67 degress with 94% humidity. 

YUCK.

I rode my bike over to the start, stripped down, found my friend Claudia and got in the corral. My plan was to run the first lap slowly, attack the big hills, and pick it up each lap. At mile 2 I took my 1st salt pill. Claudia and I ran the whole first lap together. When we got to the North Hills for the 2nd loop I said I wanted to run the hill hard. I did. I dropped her (sorry!) I took gel 1 at mile 7. At mile 7.5, the lead man passed me.  I must say, I was surprise. The winner went on to finish in a time of 1:38:22. BLISTERING.

I think around mile 10 I took my 2nd salt pill and at mile 12 I took my 2nd gel. At this point, I was running with Bernie, another Front Runner. I hit the 12 mile mark and said, ok, I'm gonna see what I can do from here and planned on running the 3rd lap faster than the 2nd. I wanted to stay within my long run pace. North Hill again, I ran it well and announced at the top LAST TIME PEOPLE! Which got a cheer from those around me. I was feeling good. No real pain in my ankle. I would feel it from time to time but nothing that hurt. 

Did I mention the 93% humidity? Cause that was nasty.

Last time up Cat hill, I knew after that, it would be a little more than a mile. My garmin had it reading less. I really wore it for heart rate. I dont plan on wearing it during the marathon or my final longish run. It'll just make me crazy. 

I hit the 17 mile marker and it's pretty much down there. I felt so good. At no point did I feel like I was over doing it. It was a very controlled run. I ran my last mile in 8:45 and felt great.

This was a great race for me and possibly my best long run this cycle. I've got a ton of confidence for my marathon. I finished in a time of 2:51:55.

I also wanna give a shout out to the men of FRNY who were the 2nd team to finish today. Ryan Quinn, finishing 9th over all and 2nd in his age group in a time of 1:48:19, a 6:01 pace.

And especially Peter McGrane, our 2nd man to finish in a time of 1:54:28, 34th  over all, 6:34 pace. Peter, if you're out there, you are running you ASS off this year (really, he is, he ran over 40 miles as part of the Reach the Beach ultra team 2 weeks ago) and it's so exciting to see you doing so well!

And now, I have some serious plans with the couch.

Da Bronx in da house!

Today was the Front Runner Cross Country meet. Now I love cross country. I have done about 4 XC races this year and run none of them well.

Well folks, this was no exception. While it wasn't very warm, in the 60s, it was so humid I felt like I was under water. Believe it or not, a gay event actually started on time much to my dismay. I got there, had to sign up and had no time to warm up. For something as short as a 5k, I usually like to run 1-2 miles. I ran to the start and that was it. I knew I wasn't going to run as aggressively as I usually do, esp on the down hills. I didn't want to take any chances with this ankle. I did go out a little fast. I ran the flats really well, on both ends. The hills, eh. Up, not so much, down, not like I usually do. I came in in 25:55, and 8:21 pace. Was hoping for faster but like everyone says, a 5k is not a good indicator when training for a marathon. And really, a tune up race 2 weeks out? What's that really going to tell you? If you're not in shape nothing can be done about it now. I'm not worried. I just wanted to blow the jets out a bit which I did.

I also managed 5th woman and Claudia and I were first female team.

FRNY also raised $600 for the Bronx Community Pride Center.

My ankle was a little stiff after, have some ice on it now.

Tomorrow I'm heading to Central park for the 18 miles tune up and what will be my last long run. Already? I know!

I'm planning on doing that at long run pace, run the hills hard and maybe have a few MP miles towards the end. Man, I hope it's not as humid as it is now. Where's this huge storm everyone keeps talkin bout?

here comes the rain again

Today was an uneventful run, though I turned it into the biggest drama ever since it's been raining for hours. It wasn't really raining when I was running.

4 miles recovery pace with 6 (I did 5 oops)x 100 strides. Ankle started stiff, no surprise there. When I last ran with Loren she said my form looked fine so I'm not worried about it.

My HR was a bit high which I attribute to humidity, abnormal sleep, and maybe being a bit dehydrated this morning.

Tomorrow is my teams cross country meet. Now I love XC but I'm a little meh about this. For one, it's been raining like hell. While the course usually drains quickly, I want to be careful with this paw which sorta bumms me out since, I love XC. This is also suppose to be a tune up race. But let's face it...I'm a little over 2 weeks out from my race. What is a tune up really going to tell me at this point? If I dont hit it, I can't do anything about it. So, I'll see how I'm going to run it in the morning.

Then Sunday, 18 miles. The plan calls for 16 but since I missed my 20 last week and NYRR is being kind enough to throw an 18  miler right out my front door, 18 it is. I will run this at long run pace, maybe picking it up at the end or at least working the hills.

Gonna be a long night, it's gonna be all right on the night shift

With my freelance schedule, I dont run in the evening as much as I use to. I've really gotten use to running in the morning or in the afternoon and not waiting til 7pm to run with my club, Front Runners. Tonight was an exception. I do like to go and see my running friends and take care of club business.

The downside? It's 10pm, I just got home and I haven't had dinner yet. Ok, so this is a bit unusual. I just stood on my corner for 20 minutes chatting.

Tonight was an easy 5 recovery run, though I realized the first real run I've done on the road. Felt pretty good, my ankle is a little stiff which I guess is to be expected.

It was also nice to see all my team mate's concern since so many of them were at Reach the Beach and knew what happened.

SO now I taper. I hope this gives me enough time to really heal.

oh the road again

First of all, is  Hagan Daz bar good recovery food?

I say yes, yes it is.

Now moving on. I've pretty much been given the green light to resume training. I saw PT Pete yesterday and he really worked out my ankle. I was have a slight sensation of discomfort on the inside of the ankle I twisted. He said it was a tight calf and that my arch collapsed a bit from the twist. He suggested some OTC cheap arch supports to put in my running shoes. I did that this morning. They feel fine, just might take a bit of getting use to.

So on to the run. This morning was 8 miles with 5x600 repeats. I wasn't sure how these repeats were gonna feel. Loren told me to go out there and just let em fly. My 4.25 warm up felt crappy. Usually a good sign for intervals. No, really. My ankle was stiff. It usually is first thing in the morning then it looses up.

I got to the track and my intervals were GREAT.

The paces for each one:

7:10, 6:59, 7:00, 7:09, 7:05

These have been the fastest intervals I've run this cycle. I know the few days off really helped. The weather didn't hurt either. And no pain.

While I was out there, there was a group gathering. There was a table with trophies on the field. THis woman was putting up these TRACK CLOSED signs and telling everyone the track was closing. 

I kept going. I saw another guy doing a similar workout (much much faster than me!) doing the same thing. We'd do an interval, eye the parks woman, start another one. I really wanted to get these done on the track. I could tell he did too. 

Music was playing, Whitney Houston, The Pointer Sisters...and all the "special population adults" as the Park calls them were gathering and starting to dance on the track.

I finished my last interval just as the crowd was really starting to grow.

At first I was annoyed that the whole track was being closed for this small group of folks. I stood around and watched before my cool down run home. It was very cute to see them dancing on the track and wearin team shirts that said CHAMPION on them.

Sometimes it's far too easy to get lost in my own goals.

the ghost of the bear

Oh loyal readers, all 3 of you, I have no running news of my own today, but please adjust your sets and head over to Girl In Motion for an amazing story of the Philly Distance run.

You'll laugh, you'll cry, you may need to change your shorts when all is said and done.

To run away from you is all that I can do

Ok, so PT Pete say I could try and go between 8-10 today if the 2 on Friday felt ok. It did, so I did 10. Loren suggested I start on the track to have a soft surface. I did 2 miles on the track then went and ran to the little red light house. I finished on the track for almost the last 3 miles. While that is a total snore, it was a good idea for this first real test. 

Like the other day, there wasn't pain, just some stiffness and maybe what I would say was a bit of soreness. I started with my brace on, but took it off before I even ran a half mile. It didn't feel any different with out it. I did some pick ups and that felt fine too. I did notice I wasn't getting total follow through on the injured foot. Not sure if that was stiffness or apprehension. Maybe a bit of both.

So this next week I should be able to resume with my schedule. I see Pete tomorrow and he's hoping it'll be the last time.

we do what we're told told to do

Yesterday at PT, PT Pete told me to run 2 miles today, either treadmill or soft surface. It's so nice out. I went up to the track and ran there. Lane 7, mild turns.  He suggested wearing the brace for the short run so I did.

I would say I felt a sensation of mild discomfort. Certainly not pain. If I picked up the pace, it felt the same. I could have gone on but I think 2 is a good start. Then I went to the weight room and did some strength and balance work on my foot. Now ice and stim.

Tomorrow will be a see how it feels day then Sunday I can do up to 10 miles.

I'm not looking beyond that.

you spin me right round baby

Whenever I look at my ankle, this is what I see. It's all sortsa colors. It actually looks like a dead person's foot attached to my leg. This morning, I went to the gym. I took the bus. Usually, I go up there to swim or run intervals on the track so I either ride my bike or run.

The bus, not so much fun. 

I did 45 minutes on the elip. machine. Closest thing I can get to running. I was so tempted to get on the treadmill, even for just a half mile to see how it would feel. I resisted. I wouldn't say it hurt. It didnt. There was an ache. I got a lace up brace which I think will be more supportive for WHEN I START RUNNING TOMORROW.

Ok, I really dont know if that's going to happen. PT Pete said he'd put me on the treadmill for 2 miles (I know I'm going to do at least 3 if I can run) and we'll see how it goes.

I'm not going to pretend this isn't driving me insane even though it's only been a few days...

I put the CAN in CANkle

Ok, so I just saw my PT guy, who is awesome.

He doesn't think my ankle is even sprained. He worked out most of the swelling and thinks I should be running by Friday. I'm going to see him 2 more times this week.

While not out of the woods totally, this is a big relief. If I miss 7 days of running, that's not bad. It's only 3-4 workouts really.

Oh and Loren reminded me after reading my last entry that when I said to her I think I blew my marathon, she said you dont know that, let's wait and see.

And she's right, I was too spazzed out to remember that.

Reach the Biatch

So this weekend was the 10th running of the Reach the Beach  relay. This was my 5th time doing it and 3rd as captan of the Front Runners Ladies Tea and Running Society. We pretty much load 12 people into 2 vans and run across the state of NH.

I was the first runner. My plan, to stay close to my marathon training plan was to run my first leg, 7.8 miles, like a tune up race. My 2nd leg was 3.8 so I figured I 'd let that one fly as well. My last leg, 9.3 hilly miles, well, I thought that would be good to do maybe on the high end of a long run pace. It would be good training for my marathon to run hills when I'm really really tired.

Well as we all know, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

Things started out well. I was a bit stressed trying to get my team ready to go and being the first runner. I started at 11:40 am with 18 other folks. The pack went out too fast, I let them go and just settled in. I didnt have my garmin which wouldn't even turn on. It through me a bit but in the long run, I think was good. Forced me to run on feel and not be so information obsessed. 

I settled into a nice pace and started doing math in my head. It was cool, in the 60s and raining a bit.

Let's see, if it were 8 miles and I ran at 8 minute pace that would be 64 minutes and if I ran 8:30 pace....on and on. I figured I wanted to come in around 68 minutes. I stayed steady, kept my eye on a pack of 5 ahead of me. 

Then they started falling of the back and I passed one.

Then 2.

Then the last 3.

I was felling GREAT. I could see the transition up ahead. It was hard to gauge how far ahead it was with the road being slightly hilly. I picked up the pace a bit to finish strong. I passed off to my teamate and hit my watch.

1:03:20, about 8:07 pace. I felt awesome.

After running, there's a lot of time before you run again. But also a lot to do. 5 more people in the van to run, then drive ahead as 6 people in the other van run. Eat, try and take a nap.  The 2nd van on my team kicked some serious ass. At 10pm, their last runner was tearing up the road ready to pass off to me. It was a bit wet, warmed up a bit from my first run. I was waiting in my safety vest, blinking lights and headlamp ready to go. Running in the dark down NH country roads is great. It's surreal. No street lights, very little traffic, just the blinking of other runners. I actually couldn't see any. There was no one close enough in front of me to see.

I was moving. I was feeling good. This leg was 3.8 miles, my goal was sub 30 minutes. I could feel the road go up, even if I couldn't see the hill. I gave my self landmarks when I could look at my watch. I'd look down to see if there were any lights coming up on me.

I started seeing team vans making a right turn. I saw the race arrows pointing that was so I knew I was close. I also had the feeling someone was coming up behind me and I didn't want to be passed on my legs so I through it into another gear. I went to make the right hand turn.

And then it happened.

I was on the ground. I was pretty much on my face. I got right up with this streak of white hot pain in my right ankle.

Fuck.

I look down , there's blood running down my left leg.

Oh fuck.

The road sorta just ended. It had been paved recently and at the turn I guess it was pretty uneven.

A woman jumped out of a van and ran over to me making sure I was ok. I said yea, I'm fine and started to hobble.She offered to walk with me, I said no and started running.Cursing in my head as 3 people passed, offering encouragement as I went. I got into the transition and saw Loren, she could see I was hurt. I passed off and went right into the medical tent, which was of little use. At that point, the Front Runner's men's ultra team (6 runner instead of 12) had caught us. These boys were FLYING. So all of them, except the one running, plus another teammate who was their driver, were there. It was nice to have the support of so many familiar faces.  I washed off my knee, a team mate taped up my ankle and Loren carried me to the van.

Not only did she carry me, she scooped my up like the end of An Officer and a Gentleman and carried me while  singing Love Lift Us Up Where We Belong. 

This is a true story.

I got in the van and started cursing and crying, I was also in a bit of shock. I looked at Loren and said I think this is going to cost me my marathon. I was so mad and disappointed.  I knew I wouldn't be able to run my last leg, I couldn't even walk. My team mate said they'd take care of it. We figured out how to get the last miles run a person down. 

These girls are badass.

I spent the next few hours driving my team. When we got to the next van transition, I saw the EMTs.

This was about 7 hours after it happened. They kept telling me to go to a hospital, it might be broken. I knew it wasn't. It was feeling much better, I could walk. They iced it and rewrapped it. They said the same thing about my knee, I should get it stitched, but it might have waited too long, it was going to leave a nasty scar. I said I didn't care if it scared, please just clean it out.

Well, it's going to really hurt.

Hurt? I've already run 2x, sprained my ankle and been awake for 20 hours, pour kerosine in it if you need to, I won't notice. (it didn't hurt when they cleaned it).

I caught about an hour of sleep then got ready to watch one of my team mates run my last leg. Since I couldn't run, someone had to run 4 times instead of 3. 

Did I mention I love my team? Cause I do. Every year I do this I'm amazed by the bad ass women that show up.

And away we go. 6 more legs, the last legs for out van. Entry into the done club. I drove so everyone else could get ready to run or recover. After we were done, we grabbed some lunch and headed to Hampton Beach to wait for our last runner to come in so we could all run across the finish line together. By then, I was well enough to hobble along with everyone.

We finished the course, roughly 208 miles in 30 hours and 16 minutes, about an 8:43 pace. 3rd in the women's open division. We all got fuel belts for the effort.

My ankle's feeling much much better. Swelling's gone down, I can pretty much walk on it. I'm going to physical therapy tomorrow, I think this will be a mostly off week. I see myself running by the weekend, though most likely not the Philly half marathon like I had planned (sorry Flo!).

I'll assess and see how I'm felling, but I think I'll still be good for Steamtown.

Over all, Front Runners had 4 teams

1 women's team (12 women)

2 men's open teams (23 men, one team ran with 11 guys)

1 men's ultra team (6 guys)

Women 3rd place women's open

men's ultra 2 place men's ultra division

Men's open (11 man team) 3 over all, 2nd men's open

Men's open  17th over all. THIS JUST IN 4th open men's team!

Ya know, there are a lot of stereotypes about gay folks. And a lot about gay folks and sports. We just had 43 gay runners kick ass across the state of New Hampshire. 

Did some say sissy?

If I only could, I'd make a deal with god and I'd get him to swap our places

How appropriate.I come home, turn on the radio and Running up that Hill is on.

I love Kate Bush and Hounds of Love, which 

Michele and Melissa Barry (identical twins) gave me for my 14th birthday in 1985 is still one of, if not, my favorite albums.

Oh what the hell, let's make this multimedia, since this also goes to my inner dancer, not be confused with my private dancer...

I also sent this to my friend Cory, my favorite dance partner ever

here's a lovely picture of us

I'm in the nice pink pants, he's in orange.

maybe I'll photoshop out that other chick...

ANYWAY.

Running, this is a blog about running.

So I went out at 5 and it was so nice. Cool, low humidity. Totally difference from yesterday.

My plan called for 11 but I did 8.6. I'm leaving for Reach the Beach and have a long drive. Then From Friday morning til sometime Sat, I have 21 miles to run on very little sleep, food or sanity. It felt really good.  A bit sluggish at first. Think the legs are feeling the work outs. I averaged 9:18 pace and my hr was 156, pretty good.

Now I have to pack, take a shower, have dinner...get away from the computer.

Repeat after me

So today's work out: 8 miles with 5x600. I always misjudge this. My total run ended up being 7.5.

Oh well, close enough.

When I was looking though my plan, I thought, what the hell is Pfitz thinking? We just did a marathon pace run and now 2 days later intervals?

Well ok.

I ran along the river and it was really windy. And very humid. At least there were clouds so I wasn't getting totally killed.

Wind on Riverbank track is fun...from turn 2 through the straightaway it's like a wind tunnel. Total headwind.

I was actually a bit nervous when I got to the track. I wasn't feeling stellar this morning and had some lingering doubts after my bonk.

I got to it.

First one: 7:07 pace. Felt good, felt easy. I Kept telling myself to not go out hard, to stay in control. 2nd one: 7:07 perfect. Funny thing is, I dont check when I'm running. I may look down at my Garmin to see where I am, but I dont check my splits til I'm done the whole workout.

3rd one: 7:04 COOKING. Maybe a bit too fast. I actually think this is he one where some guy out there downing basketball drills wanted to race me. I hate that. I'm doing my workout, do yours. The only time I'm ok with it is when it's a kid. Then I think it's funny. I had this little girl, about 8, try to stay with me for a lap a few weeks ago. I thought it was great. Even if I'm doing my workout, I'll take time to be encouraging and try to get them to stay with me even if I have to slow down. Last summer I had some JR high kid try and stay with me. At about 300m I looked at him and said you wanna stay with me that's fine, but you gotta work. And he just nodded. Maybe lasted about 200 more meters. I think they see this little white chick runnin around the track and think I CAN TAKE HER!

BRING IT!

I digress.

Number 4: 7:28

7:28? 

What the hell happened? I fell asleep apparently. And it seems every set has one like this. I go out too slowly and try to make it up. I stop paying attention. Maybe in this case, I start to get tired. My legs are heavy. Maybe now I'm understanding why this work out is 2 days after a MP run, so you do it tired and run through it.

5: 7:12 That's better.

Tired, heavy legged. Pretty good workout. There were slight raindrops as I left the track.

It started downright pouring about 15 minutes after I got home.

Everything I never wanted and more

So today: 17 miles, 14 at marathon pace. The last time I did a run like this it was 14 miles, 12 at pace and I ran it well.

Today was a bit different. I figure my marathon is going to be a homerun, because today was the day things went wrong.

I couldn't decided yesteday if I was going to run this in the morning or the evening. I woke up today and said I just want this over with. I got up, had one of Loren's homemade waffle (it is the best thing in the world to live with someone who's a great cook) with some yogurt. 

Why did I think this was going to be enough?

slipped on my running flats to see how they'd fair on the long run.

Not well, since they have this weird cross foot seam that hits me right where my toenail meets my toe.

Applied plenty of sportsheild, that was actually something I did right, no additional chaffing today.

Stuck 2 clif shots in my shorts, really, I should have had more, and out the door I went.

Not only did I not take a salt pill before I left, I didnt bring any with me. Nor did I bring any electrolyte drinking thinking I'd just rely on water.

Mistakes, all of them. And I've been running long enough to know better about all of them.

Warm up-fine

first 8 miles-great. I was hitting my pace (my marathon goal pace is 8:35) and feeling pretty good. There was some serious wind along the river, but it wasn't too much of a factor.

Once I met Loren about mile 8, I fell apart. And I fought falling apart and I failed. 

I just felt like shit and was really pushing to stay near pace. 

Blah blah blah, sob story sob story. 

Anyway. 

With a little less than 2 miles to go, I told loren I needed to finish alone and try and figure what the problem was. She went on her way and I stood on 125th st for a moment and thought abut it.

Then it hit me like an anvil from acme anvil company.

I'm bonking.

I'm usually really good about NOT bonking. At 15 miles into a run, there's really nothing I can do about it. Loren had suggested I run my last 2 miles like mile repeats and hit my pace. So that's what I did. Not ideal to stop so much, but will still make me work hard while fatigued. 

Was it how I wanted this run to go?

No.

Am I going to beat myself up over it like I usually do?

No.

I really had an epiphany while on the 125. This is fine, lessons learned, move on. 

I have run so much since June when I started this, I know I'm where I should be, this was just less than an ideal day with a lot of milage on my legs.

Move on.

recovery with number

Today I ran the Fitness 4 miler.

As a recovery run. 

I think it's easy to go out and run a race hard than pin on a number, try and keep my heart rate low, and run in a place I'm just not use to. Leave the ego at home, that was my lesson for today.

Funny thing is, when I got back into racing 10 years ago, that's where I was, back with the 10 mile pace. And those folks back there are working just as hard.

The weather was suppose to be shitty, and it was, though not in rain end of the world way everyone thought it would be. Just in the humid soupy way which is even worse.

In that regard, I am glad I didn't race.

I have a 17 mile run tomorrow with 14 at marathon pace. That's my key work out for the weekend so I can just get over myself for today.

hot humidy hazy hilly

The soup has returned. I knew it was too good to be true. I got up early and made myself get outa the house which I've had some trouble doing over the last few weeks. I was out the door at 7:20. It was about 73 degrees and 80% humidity.

YUCK.

Even though I used about half a stick of body glide, I chaffed. 

Badly.

Under my boob. For this reason alone, I want cooler weather. I'm soaked to the bone the first mile in.

Anyway, I decided to do the North hills 2x to start my run then I just ran around the park.

I averaged 9:43 pace with my last 3 miles being the fastest. I also ended by going up the hill on Morningside. 

Over all, I think it was a good run.

Tomorrow, I'm doing the Fitness 4 miler, only because it's a point race. I will, however, be doing it as a recovery run so really just a run with a number.

lather, rinse, repeat

Today: 9 miles with 5x1000.

It's warm again, maybe not as humid as yesterday and certainly not as nasty as it was earlier in the summer, but warm. Got spoiled by those cool days.

I was out the door by 8 am, even though earlier would have been nicer. Ran up towards the GWB, did 4 miles to warm up before the 1000s.

I live Riverbank track in the morning. It's not crowded, it's mostly older people from the hood out there walking. There is one guy I keep seeing when I do my intervals, he's doing them too. I've seen him in the park too. I think we might be on the same plan.

Things went well. I didn't go all out crazy and stayed in control. My HR maxed out at 186 and I dont think it was every there for long, or even close. Every time I looked down it was more about 181. For my intervals, I averaged about 7:14 pace. I'm happy with that. I didnt' kill myself and a few weeks ago when I did 5x600, that was my pace. So looking good hollywood. I think I may be recovered from the XC debacle on Sat. I ran home at an easy pace and now I'm wondering what I want to eat. I know I need to eat after my runs, it's just not always easy.

8 is enough

Boy I slept really well last night. I was pretty much asleep before Loren came to bed. Even though yesterday was an off day, I was really tired.

And because yesterday was an off day, my run today started out sluggish. THough when I left my house there was a different feel to the air.

A nervousness mixed with excitement and fear. Little kids looking some what lost. Parents looking some what relieved.

THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!!

I live across the street from 2 schools so I got to see the little ones crossing the street and making their way. Poor things in their uniforms. To this day I can't look at a pair of knee socks without breaking out into a rash. Anyone who thinks school girl uniforms are sexy clearly never had to wear one.

I didn't cool down after my race on Sat which was a mistake. Everything was a little stiff this morning. I did a loop of Central park and it felt a lot warmer than 70 out.

8 miles at 9:29 pace. Fine with me. I made sure to run the hill on morningside on my way home, the last mile. And I ran it hard. I need to get back into that habit.