Busy Saturday

So, I am happy to report that yesterday's run was a success. I have the results posted below:

Scott Pierson Test Run at Garmin Connect

Test Run Map

Somehow, it managed to not start raining until I had gotten home, not quite sure how I managed that one. Still, gotta appreciate the little things. This run officially puts me at running over 20 miles a week, which means that I intend to be at 25/weekly within two weeks, and 30/weekly within a month. That should put me well on the path for being ready for any runs that happen to come my way.

Speaking of which, I happened to be up in Seattle yesterday selling one of my old motorcycle jackets on Craigslist, and decided that it would be worthwhile to swing into Super Jock and Jill and sign up directly for the Seattle Marathon. I had heard that it was supposed to be the definitive running store for Seattle, with products that I couldn't find anywhere else (I wasn't planning to buy any, but I heard that they sold the barefoot running shoes I was considering last year). After fighting the horrible Seattle traffic and the agony of finding parking, I'm afraid I have to say I was rather disappointed. The store was about twice the size of South Sound Running here in Tacoma, but their selection was virtually the same, the same three brands (Nike, Adidas, and Brooks) that I could find at any Big Five or Sports Authority. Yes, they had a very well trained and helpful staff, yes they provide a central hub for the areas runners, but it still felt sorely lacking.

I mentioned later to my father, when he asked me what exactly I was looking for in these running stores, that I keep expecting to find something more like performance bicycle- a store packed floor to ceiling with products; a wide variety of brands, including obscure lines that you can't find anywhere else; and a general feeling that the store exists for one purpose only- to get you out enjoying your sport as conveniently as possible. For the record, I only complain because I worry about these smaller stores. It's not that I don't expect them to survive in the coming years, its just that they have so much potential to grow that they are letting go to waste. Running is a booming sport, and these stores should be growing by leaps and bounds. Instead they feel like they're stagnating.

After I told him all of this, my father mentioned that I need to check out Fleet Feet in Bonney Lake, since they sound more like what I have been looking for in a running store. I am going to need to replace my running shoes reasonable soon, so I will have to make a point of checking them out.

One last item- yesterday my copy of A Step Beyond: A Definitive Guide to Ultrarunning arrived. I haven't gotten very far into it, but so far it looks promising. I will have to report back later on anything useful I gleam from it.

Training

I've been trying to run 20 miles a week, more or less. Currently that means I need to clock in about 10 miles tomorrow morning. I'm thinking I'll follow the Scott Pierson trail here in Tacoma, but I haven't decided yet if I should run to the trail, or drive over and start my run there. I only live about a mile from the south end of it, but it means a dip through Nalley Valley, and that could be dangerous. Not really sure hopping back in the car when I'm all sweaty just to drive a blooming mile is any better of an idea though.

With any luck it won't be raining by tomorrow morning, at the very least, although my weatherbug is not very optimistic on that front.

Currently my first goal of the season is the Tacoma Narrows Half-Marathon coming up August 7th, which will be followed by the Seattle Marathon at the end of November. Hopefully I'll actually maintain my routine over this next winter, and will be able to move on to even bigger plans by this time next year.

Gah, I really hope the weather is better tomorrow. I really don't want to run in the rain.

Back on the Horse

Back on the Horse by blacklark57 at Garmin Connect

I've returned.