Day # 52: 50 Minutes of Soccer (Cross-training)

I laced up the Copas for the first time in a few weeks and kicked the old round ball around for a little while. We won the game 9-2. I managed 3 goals and 2 assists before taking a break and letting the time run out. It should be noted that after the second goal, I tweaked my right groin muscle. It felt really sore after the game, and still does tonight.

Day # 51: 3 Miles on the Treadmill in 22:32

I have finally reached day #50 of the training! A bit of a personal milestone because I wasn't sure at the beginning that I would even make it this far. I was too tired to run this morning, and from training I have learned that you have to listen to your body. As a result, I figured on running tonight after work, but I forgot Sara got us free tickets to the advanced screening of "The Man" featuring Samuel L. Jackson & Eugene Levy. Learning of the change in plans, I hit the gym at lunch time for a quick 3 miles on the treadmill. I puposely ran the first mile in 8:00, then ran the 2nd mile in 7:34, then ran the 3rd mile in 6:58, thus running a total of 3 miles in 22:32. I felt comfortable throughout the run, and according to the machine, I burned 401 calories in the process.

Weight = 168

Day # 49: 5+ Miles of Walking

Walked from my place on Beacon Hill to Downtown Crossing area, then walked across both parks, all the way down Newbury to the end, then all the way back up Boylston St., back through the parks and back to my apartment. I only mention this walk because it was extensive and I needed it because my leg muscles were feeling a bit sore today from my 12 mile run yesterday. Tomorrow I am going to take the day off and try to stay off my feet.

Day # 48: 12 Miles in 1:34:35

In what was my most difficult run thus far of the training program, I completed the 12 mile run in 1 hour, 34 minutes and 35 seconds. Today marked the longest continuous run that I have ever made. I paced the run pretty well with each mile split in the 8-9 minute/mile mark. As a result, I felt pretty comfortable and had no respitory issues, but towards the end of the run my knees and heels were in a bit of pain. After running all the way from Boston into Cambridge, I looped all of Storrow Dr. came back up Beacon Hill, then ran through Govt. Center, the Financial District, the Wharf area, Downtown Crossing, Boston Common, Public Garden, then back up Charles St. and Public Garden. An incredibly draining, yet satisfying run today.

Day # 45: 5 Miles + Beacon Hill Finish

Although it was just as humid tonight as previous evenings, I walked out of the apartment and started jogging down Pinckney Hill to begin my 5 mile run that the Higdon program suggested. I took a similar route to last night by running down Mass Ave., but tonight I ran past the Prudential Center and all the way down to Lansdowne St. next to Fenway Park before turning around and running back down Mass Ave. and Newbury St. Hitting the Public Garden, I felt strong so I ran across the park then ran the perimeter of the Boston Common before running down Pinckney, down Charles and then sprinting up Pinckney. A tough 5+ mile run completed in 41:08.