Ultra Training Week #5 - Week of 2-24 to 3-2

So I was able to scrape together a late week pile of miles last week to finish out the miles I needed for my schedule, and generally I kept to the plan, with minor adjustments.  This week is supposed to be pretty cold, and there's yet another potential snowstorm on the way, so we'll see how it plays out.  Either way, I'm scheduled to do double-digit runs back-to-back almost every weekend until the Cayuga race, so yeehaw, time to start racking up the mileage.  In other news, our little clan is going to start the T25 workouts this week, so between running, the new stuff, karate and whatever surfing I can fit in, I should be in damn fine shape by June...

Monday, 2-24 - 0 Miles.  Scheduled rest day.

Tuesday, 2-25 - Scheduled: 4.  Actual: 3 Miles (Beach/Road) - Short Misquamicut run.  The beach portion was a strong headwind, enough to make my eyes start tearing.  Threw some pole-to-pole speedwork in on the way back to the truck.  Cold.

Wednesday, 2-26 - Scheduled: 4. Actual: 4 Miles (Trail/Road) - Slippery Champlin trails to Misquamicut roads.  Post karate class run.  Tried Champlin, and the upper trail was virtually snow-free, and then I descended into an icy, slippery mess.  Got to the other side of the property and opted to bail out onto the road.  Also poked around in the Lathrop Preserve across the street, looks like they're breaking some new trail, but haven't done much yet.  Finished on roads, and increased the pace all the way back to the truck.  I have a goal time/pace set for the Ocean's race now as well, so there's that to work on too!

Thursday, 2-27 - Scheduled: 6.  Actual: 4-ish Miles (Paved Footpaths) - Mohegan Park, Norwich CT.  Had to drop off some plates at the DMV, yuck.  Walking in, I see a good friend and former co-worker who I hadn't seen in a while, awesome.  Go to turn in the plates and find out I'm getting a partial refund of the registration I paid on the old SUV back in August?  Yes, I went to the DMV, had a great experience, and they're giving me money this time...wow.  On that note, I figured I'd scope out Mohegan Park in Norwich.  All I can say is I can't wait till the snow melts, because all the paved footpaths around the pond were great, but there's a crapload of trails all through the property, which is nice and hilly.  Got 4 in and had to head out.  Great spot though :)

Friday, 2-28 - Scheduled rest day. Actual: 1.7 Miles (Road) - Short run in Westerly.  After taking care of all the things in town I needed to, I had a small window of opportunity for a short run before jetting back to the house to meet the bus.  Averaged a 7:18 pace, felt good, and the short run put me over 100 miles for February.  I'll take it, given the winter we've had.  Glad to see March on the horizon!

Saturday, 3-1 - Scheduled: 16.  Actual 10 Miles (Road) - North Stonington roads.  Sophia had a birthday party to attend, so I set out early and ran to their house, met Lori and hitched a ride home from there.  Couple of big hills made it an honest effort.



Sunday, 3-2 - Scheduled: 10.  Actual: 8 Miles (Road) - 8 Mile Local Loop from the house.  A sweltering 35 degrees, and I'm out the door in the afternoon for some easy miles.  Nothing spectacular, just a steady pace, and enjoying the "heat wave" before the next shot of frigidity sets in...