Go Run Long

Deep sigh… It took 3 days to change this. Started Monday....

Wed, 30 May 2012 15:39:12 -0400

Deep sigh…

It took 3 days to change this. Started Monday. Couldn’t hand-loosen the filter, or with my socket wrench, so I bought an adapter. That adapter was a half inch socket (when I only have a 3/8ths wrench), so that didn’t work.

The next afternoon, bought a different filter wrench, which doesn’t work. I went to the store again to buy a half inch socket wrench, and it still wouldn’t work with the filter wrench. The filter is an odd size, slightly smaller than the size of the opening on the filter wrench.

Solution? Duct tape. Wrap the filter in a few pieces of duct tape, and the filter all of the sudden fits the wrench. Still took a lot of force to loosen it, but it worked.

All of this hassle caused by Honda using a smaller filter, tightening it too tight, and recessing it too much in the engine compartment.

And the kicker? The filter is mounted vertically, so all the oil in the filter assembly comes pouring down your arm.

Awesome.

Dear Honda...

Tue, 29 May 2012 21:19:04 -0400

When installing the oil filter at the factory, please hand tighten the filter. There’s no need to over-do it. It just makes me much less satisfied.

Also, please make an engine with the filter in a more accessible location. Having to buy new socket extensions, different filter wrenches, and other miscellaneous items is unnecessary and frustrating.

I greatly appreciate you making a 15 minute job take a few days.

Sincerely,

RunLong

Tempo!

Tue, 29 May 2012 19:40:20 -0400

As Rach mentioned, it was HOT here today. So, no run outdoors. 90’s is where I draw the line.

But, I did get in a great tempo run. I can tell my fitness is coming along, because it was much better than my last.

5 easyish miles at about 7:45 pace, then 5 tempo miles at about 6:30 pace. That’s my fastest tempo run pace ever, and I felt good! It was definitely hard, but felt like a breakthrough!

I earned another burger, some cheese dip, and a Coke, right?

Sun, 27 May 2012 14:16:34 -0400

I earned another burger, some cheese dip, and a Coke, right?

Trail running!

Sun, 27 May 2012 09:57:13 -0400

I really enjoy it, and it’s even better getting to RunWithRach!

After running yesterday morning, then helping my dad get some work done in the yard, then being outside at the pool all afternoon… we crashed early last night! 8:30 bed times make 5:30 alarms easier to tolerate.

Now we get to relax on a breakfast date at Panera without kids chattering. Win!

runwithrach: 14 miles finished. It wasn’t the prettiest run...

Sat, 26 May 2012 10:36:42 -0400

runwithrach:

14 miles finished. It wasn’t the prettiest run I’ve had, but I finished it. I’m ok with that.

The positive: It’s great to have a hobby, a passion, that I share with my husband. Running after him makes the miles tolerable even in the heat and humidity.

The negative: I had a run-in with Triumph the Insult Comic Bird. You know, “For me to poop on.” And he did. Dumb bird.

14 miles, 2:35ish

The second-best thing about running with Rach, other than, you know, running with Rach, was that I found a new, awesome mid-run snack: potato(e) wedges. A couple of those, and I was feeling great!

Bummer...

Fri, 25 May 2012 15:17:27 -0400

The half marathon I was planning on doing next weekend is cancelled.

So… need to find a race doppelganger!

The other thing the heat does...

Fri, 25 May 2012 11:19:23 -0400

Is zap you for the next day.

My 11 miles yesterday made my run this morning tough. I cut it to 5 miles, and may try to get in a few more lately.

That’s alright… still winning!

easybeinggreene replied to your post: Benefit to working from home… And you can see more of...

Thu, 24 May 2012 18:51:21 -0400

easybeinggreene replied to your post: Benefit to working from home…

And you can see more of your beautiful wife and kids!

Amen!

Benefit to working from home...

Thu, 24 May 2012 18:15:25 -0400

I can work a little late (until 6:00) and still be done about the time I would have been home from my old job (between 6:00 and 6:30) where I commuted about 45 minutes each way.

I’m spoiled…

Hot!

Thu, 24 May 2012 08:36:28 -0400

When this time of the year rolls around, I try to remind myself that running in this heat has to change your perspective.

No more 10 mile runs without water. Easy runs require more effort. And the earlier you get the run over with, the better.

This morning, 11 miles was pretty tough again. Our 8:05 pace or so felt much faster. I tend to believe the heat makes you add about 30 seconds per mile at the same effort level… that’s no fun!

We’ll all be stronger in the fall for pushing through the summer. But man, it can suck sometimes!

And yes, seeing as how the summer hasn’t even really started, I’m sure I’ll repost a similar message 100 more times.

Cold water felt so good!

Sat, 19 May 2012 16:02:37 -0400

Cold water felt so good!

Philosophically looking off in the distance.

Sat, 19 May 2012 16:00:38 -0400

Philosophically looking off in the distance.

My turn!

Sat, 19 May 2012 15:38:54 -0400

My turn!

Cooling off after a few hours on the trail.

Sat, 19 May 2012 15:38:08 -0400

Cooling off after a few hours on the trail.

danielleruns replied to your post: Slogging through… do you carry water in your hand or on a...

Thu, 17 May 2012 09:36:50 -0400

danielleruns replied to your post: Slogging through…

do you carry water in your hand or on a belt?

In the summers here, even early in the morning, I have to have access to water. It can be 80+ in the morning with humidity nearing 100%. That’s not pleasant, no matter the pace.

My favorite handheld is this:

It has a small pocket in the hand strap, so it can hold some gels, a key, etc. And, they have versions with a neoprene insulator, but you can use a can koozy with the bottom cut off instead and it works about as well.

It’s just $20, which seems like a steal to me for the amount of use I get out of it.

Slogging through...

Thu, 17 May 2012 07:45:10 -0400

First nine miles… great. Felt easy, and kept a good easy pace. Last two miles? Not so much. I ran out of water and energy at about the same time. But, didn’t crash too bad and finished at a decent pace.

Overall, still a great way to start a Thursday. 11 miles in about 1:29.

Another great RunWithRach meal… homemade eggplant...

Wed, 16 May 2012 13:31:41 -0400

Another great RunWithRach meal… homemade eggplant parmesan.

In the new office again today. I love this stone wall that cuts...

Wed, 16 May 2012 10:19:34 -0400

In the new office again today. I love this stone wall that cuts through the middle of the office. Also, the original wood floors.

New job is still going well!

10 more miles...

Tue, 15 May 2012 19:55:41 -0400

I hopped on the treadmill tonight to get in the 10 miles for the day.

Some might say running on the treadmill isn’t good when you can run outside. But, when I’m trying to run some kind of hard workout and it’s hot and humid… no thank you. I’ll stay indoors.

Anyway, started off with 5 easy miles, then 3 at half Marathon pace (6:40), then 2 easy. Not bad… but I’m looking forward to the pace feeling easier later this summer.