Fri Night

I had a great week. I have no idea why I've been in such a great mood, but what's scary to me is that people noticed. I didn't know I was so readable.

I've been playing guitar and keyboards since I got home. I don't do it enough.. I should at least do it a couple of times a week, if not every day. Just like running!

I put Itunes on random to play along with... it landed on an album I mixed together seven or eight years ago and it brings back good memories. And it's better than I remember! Well maybe the bass is a bit heavy...

10K

I didn't set a goal for the 10K on Sunday, but I am still pleased with how I did. I'm more relieved that I didn't have any problems during or after the race. The week before I went to Santa Clara, I ran 10K around Town Lake a few times and experienced some of my old problems: strained calves, right foot falling asleep, shin splints. I had none of those problems on Sunday or since, so that's good. I ran it in 1:01:17 which is 1:17 slower than what would have been my goal had I set it, but considering the crowd, the horrible humidity, and the hills I wasn't used to, I have no problem with the time. And I beat my supervisor. Of course I ran the first half too quickly which caused me to have to walk a bit of the second half. But I ran the last mile strong. If I can keep myself training I should have no problem meeting 1 hour next time.

Trip

I'm at Lovejoy's posting a blog entry for the first time in I don't know how long. I was in Santa Clara, CA for work all last week, and it's quite nice visiting a software provider when you work for the customer. Free breakfast, lunch (including some kick-ass Mediterranean wraps), and a couple free dinners (including a very tasty medium-rare $50 Fillet Mignon!) I managed to go out for a couple early morning runs, nothing more than 3 miles or so, but I find it's a great way to get to know the area. The neighborhoods there all look pretty and clean compared to here. I always pack my running shoes when I go on a trip. There's a chance I might go out there for a month starting at the end of April. I wouldn't get the same free meal treatment, but I really enjoyed working with the team out there, it would be a good move career wise, and I wouldn't mind going at all. It's still a small inconvenience being away from home compared to being on board a ship for a month. If they are looking for volunteers, I'm game.

Sports

Warning: boring running paragraph next. I bought that Forerunner 305 last summer, and I correctly predicted it was an act of desparation--soon afterwards I stopped running. But I have been running off and on the last several months, including that half-marathon, and my last week has been a good effort. A 10K on Monday and a 10K on Wednesday. I meant to do a 10K yesterday but I think I hurt myself a bit on Wednesday; I may have set my workout time a little too aggressively. Well at least I've finally figured out how to use the Forerunner correctly... keep the workout simple. I've been trying to figure out what I should shoot for at the Capitol 10K a week from tomorrow. I'm certainly not fast at the moment , and I'm thinking a 10 minute mile might be alright, or an hour 10K. With the race being so large though, I wonder if I should factor in all the people I'll have to maneuver around.

I've been watching a lot of the tournament, and it's been great. I almost want to buy a basketball and take some shots on the sport court 20 yards from my apartment. Watching has been good enough for now. VCU's upset over Duke. Today, Vandy in OT, and Ohio State coming sooo close to blowing it. A close A&M game. Pitt choked on the last second freethrows but came back in OT. Argh.. A&M and Pitt were both supposed to lose this round! As for my team, thankfully I was busy working yesterday and it wasn't until the second half that I realized what poor shape they were in. But they came back so I'll get to watch the game with my Dad tomorrow. I'm going to make him watch the whole thing, which he never does cause he gets too nervous. Oh yeah I'm flying to California tomorrow and coming back on Friday for work. First real work trip in my three years with the company. I'll pack my running shoes.