I needed 30 miles over the final two days of the week, to get to 80 miles total. I knew that that could be a tall task, especially with the weather forecast calling for rain all day. I did manage to luck out. I figured that I could probably get a window to run a few miles anyway.
I didn't work and it rained early in the morning, but cleared out by noon. I knew this was my window, so I got out there to run, just after eating. I went to Jacobsburg and was hoping to run 15 miles. However, it was now hot and humid and I wasn't sure what I could handle.
I wore shorts and went shirtless. I tried out my new sweatband. I also put a lot of stuff on the chafed areas and they now seem a lot better. I still had plenty to complain about.
Since I wasn't sure what I could handle. I walked some of the short, easy hills in the beginning. I wanted to be conservative. I would need to run around most of the park, so I elected to get the open field section over with first.
The beginning of these summer runs are just terrible. Only about a mile in and I was already dripping with sweat. I had walked a lot by that point too. After walking the uphill, it was to the open field. That was just brutal with the sun blazing. I moved forward though.
I think I might've seen a deer's tail in this part. I definitely did see 2 groundhogs. I was glad that the second part of this loop is downhill. That made things a little better. I could've climbed the hill behind the new building, to add mileage. Instead, I went straight back to the parking lot. That was 3.5 miles.
My next plan was to run the big loop around the park that I normally do. I figured that that would get me around 10 miles and if I went up the hill, even more. I walked here and there again. I was in no hurry.
I felt a little better now that I got used to the heat and also was in the shade. There was a bit of a breeze. However, I was still sweating like crazy and soaked by about 50 minutes into the run.
A lot of the run was uneventful. I tried to run a lot. With all of the rain, I knew the normally muddy section would be a blast. It was a lot of fun. I cruised through it.
The miles do seem kind of quick when running on a trail. I just don't look at my watch often. That said, I do know this trail too well, so it isn't as quick as other trails would be.
When I was across from the powerline, I saw a guy running up that trail. I was planning on walking it, since it is exposed to the sun. I thought I might have to run it with him doing that though. However, he ended up coming down it a short time later.
I did walk up it. I walked until I got into the shade. That slowed my overall time, but I knew I'd have some fast downhill coming. I couldn't believe that when I hit 7.5 miles, I was only halfway to 15. The run was moving by at a decent clip, but I still had well over an hour left and I was soaked. I definitely don't enjoy summer running.
I came down the hill and cut a lot of time. I saw some mountain bikers. There were quite a few people out. Not too many on the back part, mostly walkers near the main area. I got back to the road somewhere around mile 9.
I ran on the road briefly and then back on the trail. A truck was coming right before the trail and I slipped when I went on it. At least I didn't fall and nothing was hurt. I just stretched out a bit.
I needed more mileage, so this time I ran up the hill. Actually, I walked the hill and ran the rest. I love the ridge section. I passed a guy and his dog there and he commented on how well I was running. I didn't feel that way. By then, I was sluggish and tiring quite a bit. At least I enjoyed myself. I crossed the creek and got back to the other side. When I ended the loop, I was a little over 11 miles.
I made my one rare stop at this point. I quickly refilled my handheld. I wanted 15 miles, but I knew I'd be happy with 12 miles. Still, I wanted to have less to do tomorrow, so I soldiered on. The pace seemed slow, but it wasn't. I flirted with a 9:30 overall pace for a lot of this run.
I went across the road from the main lot. I figured that I'd try to go out 2 miles there. I made it less than a mile and felt like heading back. I decided to go back on a little longer way. That didn't add all that much. I finished this short loop at a little over 13 miles. A dog that I saw earlier jumped at me this time.
I wasn't feeling all that great, but I was so close to 15 miles. I decided to take the short route back out to the road. That wouldn't be too hilly. I did that and then went back on the trail. I hit mile 14 at the bridge and turned around. I was close to running under 2:20, but it didn't look like I would make it.
The sky was starting to get dark in the final 1.5 miles. In the last half mile, I felt a few drops. I had to briefly run on the main path. There I saw two other trail runners. The guy had a big beard and really looked like a trail runner. I finished up exhausted with 15 miles.
This was a good run and a nice battle with the heat and humidity. I've run farther at Jacobsburg, but typically I stop more. This time, I stopped only very briefly and I didn't walk all of that much. In the final few miles, I kept going. I made it out just in time as it was pouring 10 minutes later when I was on the road.
That run was timed perfectly. The heavy rain and lightning didn't last long. They were coming in waves. Since I saw another one was coming later at night, I decided to try another run in the evening.
I went to some neighborhoods not too far from me. I actually plotted out a 6 mile route on the computer, earlier in the evening. That seemed like it would be perfect.
I parked at a small park. I began by running over to an industrial park on the other side of Route 512. Crossing that road was kind of tricky. I made it though. Even though that was busy, I knew the industrial park route would be perfect.
I ran the loop and stayed to the outside, so I was actually running with traffic. Luckily, there wasn't much traffic and the road is pretty wide. I wore my new shoes. I felt awesomely fast in them. The problem is that they irritate the top of my foot for some reason. I kept stopping to adjust them. Finally, it went away.
The first mile was solid and I was surprised at how much faster I began running. I guess the trail running didn't take too much out of me and I still felt fresh. There were some slight uphills in the industrial park that were surprising.
Crossing Route 512 took some time again. I managed to get across it though. I ran back past my car. That put me at over 3 miles. I was happy to have less than 3 miles remaining.
I was feeling good and moving quickly up the hill. It was definitely still a bit humid, but after the rain, things were much better. Running shirtless on this evening definitely did help too.
After climbing the hill, I crossed a road and was into a neighborhood loop. I've ridden here and run here from time to time, but it has been awhile. A few people were out and some kids watched me run by.
I couldn't believe how good I felt and how quick the pace was. I hit mile 5 of this run and was still going strong. I was running close to goal marathon pace, without too much effort. I'd be thrilled if I could do that next month.
I got back to my car and was disappointed that I wasn't at mile 6 yet. I was just short. By now, I knew that I'd be running to mile 7. I had to go out and back in another neighborhood. I was moving pretty well. I got to 6.5 miles and turned around and headed back. A dog barked at me, but didn't leave the yard.
All of the final 3 miles were 7:06 or faster. That was not bad on such a big mileage day. I finished the day with 22 total miles and I'm now 8 miles short of 80 for the week. I'm hoping to get all of that in in the morning with the BCR. They are running at Plainfield. I don't like it there, but I do like where they go for breakfast, so I'll probably join. I have to mix in some weight training before bed too!
Afternoon Run 15 miles - 2:19:55 (9:20 pace)
Evening Run 7 miles - 52:29 (7:30 pace)
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