Wintry morning. Finally.

Total: 4 miles @ 7:33 pace
Details: About 30F this morning. I started out slightly chilly with just a long-sleeve shirt on top, but didn't notice the cold after about a mile. I think as long as I have gloves and hat, I feel quite comfortable in the cold. I got cramps in my calves last night playing basketball--probably a hydration problem--but no sign of it this morning during the run. It probably helped that I ran a slower pace; actually, it probably helped to run a slower pace.

Still here, still running

I've been running, but not posting, so here's a catch-up post.

Totals since the last post:
# of runs: 12
Distance: 78.5 miles
Average pace: 7:06

Some details:
--2 longish runs of 14 miles, including one at 6:58 pace
--The most interesting run was the 5 miles I did at the National Mall in Washington D.C. It was my first visit to DC, the weather was great, and it was a blast to run a few loops between the Capitol and the Washington Monument. From my several days there, DC seemed like a good running town. There were lots of people running throughout the day, and I doubt that they were tourists. And the scenery was uniquely inspiring.

A new running route

I'm realizing more and more how much I prefer running on trails as opposed to roads. And I just discovered a new one on Sunday, thanks to my wife who's been walking there for months and finally got me to check it out. I hadn't tried it earlier simply I thought that its one-mile loop was too short for the longish runs I was doing. But what a great loop: full of turns and hills and beautiful trees. It's practically all either uphill or downhill, and I don't feel at all like I'm on some sort of an oval track. And there's something about a trail like this that invites me to run hard: charging up and down hills with the sound of leaves and crushed limestone beneath my feet is invigorating. I think I'll be doing a lot more running here before I leave the area in mid-December.

Yesterday's total: 7 miles in 47:16 (on the trail)
Today's total: 4 miles in 29:05 (on the road)

Just trying to keep up with my eating

I ran 5 times since the last post.

Monday: 4 miles in 32:00
Wednesday: 4 miles in 31:30
Friday: 5 miles in 36:15
Saturday: 8 miles in 58:48
Sunday: 3 miles in 21:00
Total for the week: 24 miles

The pain in my right foot is mostly gone. On Saturday's longer run, I felt mild discomfort only in the last mile, and today, I was completely pain free. I'm looking forward to increasing mileage--at least to the point where I can burn calories comparable to the calories I'm taking in.

Here's a partial list of things I've eaten the last two weeks after depriving myself for months for the sake of the marathon:
Whoppers
Chips
Cheese & crackers
Pizza
Non-diet soda
Ice cream
Cookies

I'll get a bit more sensible with my diet soon, but mainly I'll be trying to maintain my weight by increasing my mileage again.