Running Commentary

I find attempting to chronicle my running life in any regular manner is about like trying to chronicle life itself--time moves on, moments (and runs), when closely examined, do not repeat themselves, and the nature of time's passing makes closely examining any experience that's in the past akin to nostalgia (that is, pretty lifeless).  I found a track! Here's how it goes: I do a run. I take a couple of what I think are interesting photos. I plan a fascinating blog post. I get home. I stretch, eat, shower--and along comes life. I get busy. A week goes by, and more than once during that week I do a run. I take a couple of what I think are interesting photos. I plan a fascinating blog post. I get home. I stretch, eat, shower, and--well, you know what comes next. When I try to set down the events of my running life, I am always working in the shadow of James Boswell.     Little-known fact: I did my master's thesis on Boswell, way back in the day. I fell in love wi...

This morning I did a tempo run--probably the first intentional one that I've ever done. Yes, I've  run medium to long distances at a pace slightly faster than my usual training pace, but have never actually set out to run a specific distance at a specific pace just a little under my targeted race pace. My targeted race is the  Marin Memorial 10K , slated for Memorial Day. I've been wondering whether I am in good enough shape to run it at a reasonable pace and maybe even to run it pain-free. I decided today was the day to test myself. I figured a targeted race pace for a 10K that wouldn't have me hanging my head in shame when it was over should be around 10:30. So for this morning I figured out a good road course where I could run 6.2 consecutive miles, a course fairly straight and flat with few stoplights or other obstructions along the way.  To simulate race day, first I did a slow 1-mile warm-up. Then, at the sound of the gun (in my head--BANG!), I started my run....