Week 3 8 miler (6:38 mile pace)

Week three long run was an eight miler. The Hal Higdon Training program mixes in a few shorter "long runs" every few weeks. I ran this on Sunday morning on the "A" road, a logging road just outside of Forks, WA. My dad set the trip odometer and drove me up eight miles, then dropped me off. During the first half of my run, the road followed the Calawah river. My dad was waiting for me at the "High Bridge," which was about two and half miles into the run. He then drove into town to get a cup of coffee. Took a gel just after four miles. Saw my dad again at about mile six as he drove back with his coffee to see where I was at. I finished strong, ran the last mile in 6:34. The run had a slight elevation drop for all but two of the miles, which made it perfect for a nice fast pace.

Week 2 11 miler (7:41 mile pace)

Week two long run was 11 miler. Ran 11 miles at 7:41 pace. I ran this on a Monday night after work instead of the weekend due to a bike-brewery tour on Saturday afternoon-evening that sidelined me Sunday. I am titling this run, "Chasing the sunset and fighting the wind." Was running primarily north most of the way and fighting a southerly wind. Ran north on Elliot Bay Trail, did loop around bus depot then up Magnolia Bridge. Miles four and five were steady elevation gain. Dropped over the highest point and coasted into Discovery Park. Beautiful sunny afternoon with lots of people on the trails. Great views of the puget sound with the sun going down. Took gel at about six and half miles. Came out of Discovery Park and ran across train bridge down to Ballard Locks. I smiled at a few people throwing a disc and one of them hucked it to me, great throw where I was able to catch it without breaking my stride, had nice toss back and kept pushing out to Golden Gardens. Was contemplating turning this into a 13 miler, but was pretty wiped when I hit Golden Gardens, lucky Jen was up for picking me up (with Gretchen!).

Week 1 10 miler (9.64 at 7:21 mile pace)

My marathon PR is 3:07. I am running the California International Marathon in Sacramento on 12/08/13. My goal is to set a new PR and break 3:05 in order to qualify for the Boston Marathon. I am using Hal Higdon's Advanced 1 Marathon Training Program. My blogging goals are to track my long runs and compare times to my 2012 marathon training.

My week one long run was a 10 miler. I ran the Magnolia Loop, which ended up being a little short coming up at 9.64 miles at 7:21 mile pace. I'll have to stretch this one out a little next time. Nice sunny afternoon, I knocked this run out at lunch and was happy to grab some water at 7 Hills Running Store in Magnolia and also at Magnolia Park. Stunning views of the Puget Sound, Rainier, Olympics and Seattle skyline. In 2012 I ran 9.34 miler at week 2 at 7:47 pace.