Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Running Season

Although it's cold, rainy, and windy today, this past weekend got me pumped for the spring running season. I'm hoping it lasts until at least July--no hot, humid weather until then. It'd be nice if the rain, wind, and unseasonable cold would knock it off too.

This past weekend the weather was perfect for running. Cool, not much wind, and a little cloudy on Saturday for an 8 miler run--my longest since the marathon. Then, it was a little warmer but still very comfortable on Saturday for a sunny, five mile jaunt. When the weather's comfortable and my quads no longer feel like they've been internally shredded, running is just awesome.

This spring and summer should be interesting for races. I'm pacing a marathon on Saturday at 8:47 / mile. After pacing a couple of 1/2 marathons I know what I'm getting into, but staying focused for twice as long while running an even pace is going to be a little more challenging. I'm looking forward to seeing a new course and possibly guiding some runners to a BQ or a PR.

Then, less then two weeks later I'll be running the TC 1 Mile road race. I haven't run a competitive mile since college (unless you count the one on a frozen lake) and I'm looking forward to seeing if I can run a decent time with very little speed work. I'm hoping to get a little bit of faster running in this week and next but I don't want to mess around too much after running two marathons in less than two weeks.

After the 1 mile I'm running a 50k in July. I told Laura I was done racing marathons, but that doesn't count out 50k's--they're only about 5 miles longer. The race is the Afton Trail Run--it's a very challenging course and there's also a very good possibility it will be hot and humid. I can't wait!

Then, in August there's a very good possibility that I'll be running the Ragnar Great River Relay on an ultra team. I think my legs will total somewhere around 30 miles.

Sounds like a great summer!

3 comments:

Stephanie said...

I would love to participate in a Ragnar team someday.

Julie said...

Hi Nate,
How have you been? Did you pace for Get in Gear? Are you pacing many other races this season? Let me know. Saturday and Sunday both sucked for weather. Good Lord, what and the heck is going on? I thought it was May!?! I haven't decided if I am doing the TC 1 mile. I am a little out of shape:) Okay...I am a lot out of shape!

Hey, it was good to hear from you. Take care of yourself!

Nate Leckband said...

I'll be pacing the New Prague 1/2 this weekend and the Northern Lakes 30k in White Bear Lake after that. I'm also pacing the Minneapolis Marathon or 1/2 Marathon in June. I'm sure there'll be others too. Great to see you back running and blogging.