For those who haven't heard already, I started a new job today with a company called MRM Worldwide.  I am going to be a Senior Software Developer.  (I can't wait to haze the Freshman Software Developers.)  I'll be telecommuting exclusively until I bring my new car back from Texas in December.  After that, I'll still work most of the time from home.  Exciting times as I enter a new chapter in my career...

Scheduled Distance: 3 miles
Actual Distance: 3 miles
Time: 33:20
Gmaps Route
RPE: 5

My best time yet for the short run.  I ran it pretty hard, and my left ankle only bothered me a little bit.  I was really crunched for time today, but made sure to get my run in early.

Scheduled Distance: 7 miles
Actual Distance: 7 miles
Time: 1:37:58
Gmaps Route
RPE: 5

The first mile started off rough.  My right shin was hurting in a different way than either leg had hurt before.  Once I got past the first mile and a half or so and I stretched again, my legs stopped bothering me.  I started out doing the steepest climb of the run, so I wouldn't have to do that at the end.  Since it's my longest run to date, I paced myself just to finish.  I still had plenty left by the time I finished, so I definitely could have hit a faster pace.  The problem is that the pain from the first mile lingers in my mind, and I worry about pushing myself too fast.  Ah well, I made it.

Scheduled Distance: 3 miles
Actual Distance: 3 miles
Time: 41:24
Gmaps Route
RPE: 1

Today started out great.  After the first two miles, I was on pace to have my best 3 miles yet.  Then, both shins started slowing me down.  After another half mile, I was reduced to walking, and even that hurt.  I managed to get back into a jog for the last quarter mile or so, but it was rough.  Notice the RPE is just 1 though.  Every other part of me was rarin' to go, so I was pretty disappointed.  I'm going to speculate some more on this later.  Expect an update on this post.

Scheduled Distance: 4 miles
Actual Distance: 4 miles
Time: 48:36
Gmaps Route
RPE: 5

I thought that I started out pretty slowly, so I was surprised I finished the whole distance so quickly.  My legs hurt for the first 2 miles or so, but didn't bother me the rest of the time, and I turned it up a notch.

I shaved my face on Sunday.  Jamie got a few shots of the progression for your viewing pleasure.

   

Scheduled Distance: 3 miles
Actual Distance: 3 miles
Time: 35:19
Gmaps Route
RPE: 4

I ran without my headphones today.  My book suggests it, and my right arm and shoulder were tense after the 6-mile run on Saturday.  I don't think I'll do that again, because I need something to fill in the gaps between things that my thoughts wander off towards.  Otherwise, I think too much about breathing or hurting or sweating.  Instead, I just need to find a portable audio device that I can strap to my arm.

Scheduled Distance: 6 miles
Actual Distance: 6 miles
Time: 1:20:00
Gmaps Route (3 mile route doubled)
RPE: 5

I kept it pretty slow to make sure that I would finish, and I stopped to stretch out my calves a couple of times.  Fortunately, my legs didn't hurt as badly as they did on Wednesday and Thursday.  After the 3 mile mark, I was in a pretty good rhythm, and my legs were feeling great, so hopefully my stretching has paid off.  So, I ran a total of 16 miles this week, and tonight's run was the longest run I've ever done.  At least until next week...

Baylor beat Iowa State today 23-13 on the road!  Sic 'em, bears!