Wow, a tough day for running! Wind, rain, trucks splashing mist, hills and more hills. Sometimes, on a long run, I hit a point of despair and want ever so much to quit. Normally this comes from "hitting the wall" a long way out, having depleted energy stores. I felt a different kind of wall today -- a few miles in, already soaked, noisy cars, hills ahead, Oh my I so wanted to call it quits. But I kept on, very much because I knew at least a few people might be thinking of me today and wishing me success. Five miles out, I came to a turn around at a little country store; a shiny new penny glittered at me from a puddle. Find a penny, pick it up, you know the rest. I tucked the penny in my belt pack, and kept on. The last three miles were very tough . . . but I did it! Thanks for thinking of me. Now for a beer and a turkey sandwich!

Turkey, stuffing, mashed potato and pumpkin pie powered, off I go today for 13.1.

I got a new hat today! A nice find at GoodWill, naturally. This is a $20 hat, brand new, I got it for $5. I wanted a very bright hat for running in this grey country. Though today's run didn't really matter, as it got dark before I finished. 5+ miles, though, happy with that.

I felt a small burst of ambition this afternoon after worship, so set out for an easy run in the drips of the day. As I ran the rain let up slowly; I ran over fallen leaves and through shallow puddles. The farther I ventured the nicer the day felt. When I reached my point to circle home I kept going, and added some distance and enjoyment to the outing. When I got home I felt very good, however far I went, it was a good run.

Sunny, cold days have given way to warm and wet ones again. Today I paddled out for 4.2 miles in a light rain and a bit of a breeze. No one else was out this morning running in my vicinity; just a few pedestrians looking a bit damp and giving the appearance of wishing they were in Tahiti. Most of the leaves are off the trees now, and wow it feels like November. I'll hope to kick my miles back up in the next week, and aim for as long as I can run around Thanksgiving. If I tank up properly I should have reserves to push toward the half marathon I set my goal for a couple of months ago. Life has become somewhat non-linear.

I kept moving today. I used a half hour of raking leaves to get warmed up, then enjoyed an easy 3 miler around the neighborhood. The afternoon was sunny and bright; I saw several groups of women runners glowing in neon yellow wind breakers. A mile from home I heard sirens, so veered to the sidewalk to let a big red firetruck pass. As I rounded the corner toward home, I saw a police care with flashing lights on a block from my house; nearing home I spotted the firetruck blocking the street right in front of my house. Approaching home I heard a "hsssssssss" and smelled gas. My neighbor had been digging a drain trench and struck a gas line with his pick. Poor guy, he is also a volunteer fire fighter so got to have all his buddies come to his house to sort out the problem. It all took several hours, probably 8-10 firefighters dressed like minions, and 4-5 vehicles. No explosions, thank goodness, and since our house is not hooked up to gas we would have just needed to duck.

I just finished a pleasant 4 ish miler, the day is sunny and cool. After some longer runs in regular trail shoes, I ran today in my five fingers; I feel wonderful after the run. Back on track! Hope you had a splendid day.

Set back again. I am about 2 weeks off schedule for a 13 miler; so back to basics. Tomorrow I will get out for 5-6 to get my rhythm back, and take it from there, hoping to resume build up. My new target date for the half is early December. Life is clearing up a bit; worries about youngsters receding, work load lightening, little sick flair up passing. The weather is chilly now, time for hats and gloves! I used just to wear socks on my hands, now I'm fancy with "Digital Running Gloves" purchased for a discount at, of course, Good Will. These gloves have a fingertip feature, a rather flat, stiff pad, that supposedly allows the user to use an iPad or other device while running, without having to take off the gloves. I haven't got the feel of that; when I try to run my phone stop watch I may call the police accidentally. So, yes, if I have to adjust much of anything I have to take the gloves off, harder to do than socks. But I think they look a little groovier, just pumping my arms, which counts for a lot.

Long runs alone have a challenging side effect, for me. I get lonesome out on the country roads. I get friendlier with passing pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists the longer I'm out -- that is I wave, smile, and such more readily. Some time back, in a previous training cycle, sometime this side of Bedrock and pre-Jetsons I received a wonderful arm band mounted radio from my family. More often than not, I would time my long runs to coincide with the broadcast of 'Car Talk', hosted by the Magliozzi brothers on PBS. Those passing cyclists and motorists, and neighbors watching me from their yards might have wondered why a man would be trotting down the road, laughing his head off. I had great company in my head as the brothers fielded crazy questions about car problems, while sizzling with off the cuff humor. With a little excavating, I located my old radio in anticipation of today's 10 miler. I'll hope to find some nice people chatting to keep me company, and I will remember and smile for Tom Magliozzi, the elder brother who recently passed away after suffering with Alzheimer's disease.

Ah, the wonderful change from Daylight Savings to Standard! Why is it I gain back an hour of sleep, and feel jet lagged for two weeks afterwards? At least the cats don't notice - they show up for their morning and evening refills of the bowls right on time. A change in time has required a change in apparel. My late afternoon run now leaks into darkness, so out come the reflective vest and blinking hat light. I felt great on a three miler in the dusk to dark. What speed! Zoom zoom. All an illusion, as I timed in about a minute slower than last time -- stopwatch doesn't tell tales. Something about running in the dark makes nearby objects seem to zip by faster, and I have less preoccupation with what is coming, because I can't see too far down the trail. Slower? OK. More fun? Indeed! Tomorrow I attempt a long run, 9-10 mile range to test my fitness level. If I can accomplish that I'll know I'm still on track to run a personal half marathon in a few weeks.