Run Streak: Day 2,000

Truth is, I don’t really think much about my running streak, except for the fact that it does enter my mind that I need to do my mile for the day. About a year ago or so I entered my streak into the “official” run streak site, http://www.runeverday.com. I’d say I check that site maybe three or four times a year to see where I am at. The last time I checked was about 20 days ago or so, which is when I noted I was on the countdown to day 2,000. I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was kind of looking forward to this milestone. Something about 2,000 that’s kind of cool.

My run today was early in the morning on the track. In the dark. And it was raining. Which is perfectly appropriate and just how I like it. I can’t express how many runs like that I have done.

Today’s run, by the way, which was one of my final build ups to Portland next weekend, was as follows: warm up and then: 4 x 200-1 mile @tempo-4 x 400- 1 mile @ tempo- $ x 200. Tough one!

Anyway, back to the streak. How much longer will I go? Who knows. At this point, I’m obviously fully invested. For the most part, it’s not too much trouble to get in a mile a day (travel days being the exception) and now that we have a treadmill in the garage, it should make things even easier. I’m even thinking about possibly writing a book about it. I just need to figure out a narrative that makes sense.

Anyway, milestone achieved. Now, onwards!

 

 

 

iPhone 11 Pro

Well my streak continues. And no, not my running streak (which hits 2,000 days this Friday). Rather, my streak of owning every single iPhone ever manufactured. I’m kind of embarrassed just typing those words.

I’m only on day three and haven’t really stress tested the iPhone 11 Pro yet, but thus far, I am very impressed (editors note: I’m an admitted Apple fanboy and am generally pretty impressed with each new iPhone).

My take doesn’t really diverge from the professional reviewers: there are really only two major difference in this phone: the camera and the battery life. However, in my opinion, both are major steps forward compared against previous models.

The camera is simply awesome. Almost as good in certain respects as my mirrorless.

The major differences are the third lens (the wide angle lens) and night mode. The wide angle lens is cool and adds a nice dimension to iPhone photography, but I think night mode is actually the more important innovation here. Low light photography has been a major achilles heel of the iPhone and this is a major step forward.

The camera is a definite “nice to have” but for me, personally, the battery is the killer feature and the major reason why I’d suggest upgrading, even from the XS series.

Important note: I travel for business. A lot. And when I travel, I live in fear of a rapidly diminishing battery. I carry chargers everywhereI go. If I had one wish over the last three or four series of iPhones, it would be for an extended battery. For me, that trumps all else.

And finally, this battery is a big move in the right direction. I can’t say yet that that it actually gives me four more hours than the XS, but the difference is significant. As an example I woke up early today, went through my emails, checked Instagram and twitter and then took my phone with me on a run so that I could take some sunrise photos (attached). I came home, checked on a few more emails, downloaded my run to Strava – and noted I still had 96 percent battery life. With the XS I suspect my batter would have been at around 85-88 percent at best. So; a big difference.

All other differences in the 11 Pro – the enhanced screen, faster processor and more – I’m sure are nice to haves, but are barely noticeable compared agains the XS – and the X for that matter.

So, that’s my topline thoughts after around 72 hours of use. I definitely give it two thumbs up. And oh, for the first time in years I went with the Silver and am happy with that decision too. Looks pretty sharp.

 

 

 

Two Race Week

I ran two races last week. On Wednesday night I ran the JP Morgan Chase Challenge with my work team. Generally, I was pretty pleased; I ran 23:52, which is around a 7:05 pace or so for the 3.5 mile race (which actually netted out to 3.4 miles on my GPS). My first two miles were quick: 6:48 and 6:58 and then Howard died an early death. But given how many miles I have in my legs and the fact that I ran 5 miles as a warm up, I was generally pleased.

On Sunday I ran the Giants Race half marathon. This is a cool race; it starts at Giants Stadium in SF and finishes inside the baseball stadium. I had a long week that I won’t get into so I went into this one TIRED. I ran a two mile warm up and then the first nine miles were super steady at around 7:35-7:40 pace. At about mile nine the wheels fell off again and I finished in 1:42:40. I am generally ok with that time; my goal was between 1:40 and 1:45 with a stretch goal of maybe sub 1:40, which I’m fairly certain I could have done with fresher legs. After the race I immediately did a 5.5 mile cool down, which gave me 20 miles for the day.

I have to say I have never trained harder for a marathon in my life. Or smarter, though, for that matter. Working with a coach (who, by the way, WON the 10k running away in a time of 30 minutes and change!) has been a very enjoyable experience and I am optimistic it will pay off on race day.