Time: 7:30a
Where: Burke-Gilman Trail, headed NE
Workout: 6 miles steady state
Notes and observations: I checked the weather the night before and my app said 90% chance of rain. I didn’t want to go out but the husband was like, “Do It!”. So I did. It was wet, but very quiet and peaceful. Barely anyone on the trail. I intended to spend the time thinking and reflecting (an ‘exercise’ I am doing for work). It sort of worked.

The run itself, uneventful. A good first mile and a great last mile. In between was just ho-hum.

But wet. Very, very wet.
Music: “Some Nights,” Fun. (Something new! Hooray!)

P.S. I did not take this picture while running. It would be nice if I wasn’t so anal and could carry my phone with me to take pictures, as I see some fun stuff out there. Wall of Death. Big yachts on Lake Union. Seaplanes taking off. Rain, lots and lots of rain. I’m too damn busy running to stop and take a picture, and I just hate to carry stuff with me. I can barely handle a water bottle for long runs. So, I went back to the trail an hour or so later and took the monkey with me so she could splash in the puddles.

Time: morning
Where: Burke Gilman and Lake Union
Workout: 14 miles, beee-atches!
Notes and observations: It was a long time and I believe I have hit the maximum number of miles I ever want to run at one time. It wasn’t that bad, actually, though my legs began to ache at the 60-minute mark. I did do something wrong with the gel situation. I tried a 2-gel routine where I usually do just one. But last time I was so dead for the last 2 miles I thought I’d at least give it a try. Now I know that won’t do. I got a bad side stitch in mile 12 and even did a bit of some walking. I hate to walk and avoid it if at all possible. It wasn’t possible. So. For race day I’m thinking just the one and then finding a water station with gatorade and trying that on for size. Time was 2:21:17. Not too off the mark considering the walking I had to do, but far slower than the pace I was holding the last two times I did 12 miles. But, I did it. That’s really all that matters at this point.

Music: Who do you think?

Time: lunchtime
Where: Loop around Bellevue north of downtown
Workout: 4.5 miles on a good hilly route. Approx 45 minutes
Notes and observations: Sometime I dread hills, sometimes I crave them. I dreaded them today but didn’t stop.
I’ve been trying different gels and chews. Unofficial survey of friends showed a preference for Gu and Clif Shot Bloks. I am a Gu girl and despite some issues a few weeks back I expect to use it during th race. Though today I tried the chew and really like them. Good for a pre workout energy boost. Don’t know if I can eat and chew while running, though.
Music: old beat the bridge playlist

The honey stinger is really sweet (it is honey) … A post workout/recovery possibility. The Gu PB was surprisingly tasty. I generally go vanilla with, um, vanilla. I think a race day plan is coming together.

Time: morning, try as I might I can’t start as early as I want to mimc race day … Race starts at 7, earliest I’ve been able to get out of the house is 7:45
Where: Burke-Gilman – Lake Union lollipop
Workout: 12 miles LSD
Notes and observations: 1:59.02
I thought I was faster than the first time I ran this length but actually was 30 sec slower. Go figure.
Tried a new Gu, next time I’ll bring a second to carry me through the last 2-3 miles. Could have hydrated more the night before. Mighty salty flavor around my lips when I got home. Always reminded of Lance and tha Tour stage where he ended up with a white paste of salt around his mouth. It was a time trial, yeah … But I digress.
A great song shuffled on with about a 1/2 mile to go. Perfect timing.
Music: Foo Fighters on shuffle. Long ago I decided this would be my race plan, so I try to save them for the long runs. Not sure how it will go with bands playing throughout the route.

Time: before work
Where: DT Bellevue Park
Workout: the usual 5 miles interval routine
Notes and observations: No meetings today, so I was determined to do some intervals. I got off the bus, headed to my office and went straight to the locker room where I dropped mystuff off and started running. I knew if I went to my desk first I’d get distracted. It was nice to have this over with and be sitting at my desk by 9am. That’s why I like the pre-work routines. Also, DT park was far less busy than the lunch hour. A few Chinese women friends walking and talking, and a handful of dogs and owners. A nice chill but not too cold. It was good.
Music: Snow Patrol

and now this running log is all caught up! when i get a chance i’ll dump my timex memory into here. Just not tonight.

Time: before work
Where: gym treadmill
Workout: four miles, race pace for miles 2 & 3
Notes and observations: At least the weather outside was crappy so I didn’t feel so bad doing an indoor workout. My desire to try to wake up early and run before catching the bus just ain’t happening. This is the next option, as my workdays are filled with meetings now. Did I mention it’s been busy already? I did? Oh. Right. One benefit about the treadmill is that I can really control the rates. It helps sometimes.
Music: I forgot my iPod! Was forced to listen to the gym radio while watching a combination of GMA, CNBC and ‘Supernatural’ reruns on TNT. Nice mix.

Time: nap time (2:30)
Where: B-G trail
Workout: 4 miles easy
Notes and observations: I missed my interval running workout this week. First time I missed it since March, when I was travelling for work. Work is again messing me up! I decided at the very last minute to run “Beat the Bridge” this year, so on Saturday ran to Husky Stadium to sign up. Only they didn’;t take credit cards and that’s all I had with me. So I ran home, showered then drove back to HS to sign up. Sheesh. All this to pay race-day fees and run with thousands of others around my neighborhood. Oh, and to fight juvenile diabetes as well.
Music: Hot Fuss

Time: before work
Where: gym treadmill
Workout: 4 miles,  miles 2 & 3 at race pace
Notes and observations: Had to run inside on a beautiful day. Well, didn’t have to but chose to for mental/sanity reasons. Work has picked up quite a bit. The days of taking time off during the workday to run may be over for now. You’ll also notice I’ve cut out two workouts per week. I’m just barely getting in my runs, but that’s the bare minimum I seem to be able to afford these days. I hope at some point the busyness dies down. Hope hope hope.
Music: