June 2009 running totals: Two bills and then some.

I ended this month with a swift 10-miler this morning, averaging just under 7:30 min/mile for the distance, including 7:05 min/mile for the last six miles.

The mileage total brought me to 241.66 for the month. Its the most miles I've ever done in any month, eclipsing the 194-mile January. This month I had 12 runs of at least 10 miles and have 34 such runs halfway through 2009.

I had 28 double-digit runs in all of 2008.

Now I don't have the speed of Kamran or Jess, and I am not running as many weekly miles as Sadie or Heather, but 200-plus is something to be proud of.

And I think I ran smart during the month, taking my "easy days" as often as I could. My average pace for the month ties February for my slowest month of the year and is my slowest month since September. I think the easier running has helped me overcome some nagging leg pain I had at the beginning of the month. My left knee, which has been wonky since November, seems to be totally over whatever it is that was giving it problems.

June 2009 Stats
Runs: 25
Miles: 241.66
Time: 1 day, 9 hours, 6 minutes, 57 seconds
Pace: 8:13 min/mile

FY 2009
Runs: 128
Miles: 1.087.95
Time: 6 days, 1 hour, 53 minutes, 4 seconds
Pace: 8:02 min/mile

Historical look at past Junes
2008: I ran 121 miles in a pace of 8:26
2007: 91 miles in a pace of 9:30
2006: 78 miles in a pace of 8:52
2005: 88 miles in 9:30

There is a cow in my car

I bought the Britax toddler car seat for Noah a few weeks ago. Babies R Us only had this weird cow pattern. From everything I read (and from what Noah's mother told me), this car seat was supposed to be one of the safest around.

So, I put down the cash and put the seat in my car. Every time I get in my car, it just looks like there is cow in the back seat. But Noah seems to like it.

A running partner to keep me honest

Long runs are easier when you find someone to run with who runs at about the same pace as you do.

When I was running my long runs too fast, I was sort of a tweener. I was behind the really fast guys, but ahead of the rest of the pack, and so I spent three-fourths of my runs kinda by myself.

Since I'm now running "smarter" I've paired up with this cool guy, Jonathan. He has helped me keep my pace steady. For instance, during Saturday's 14-miler, every mile between 2 and 9 was between 8:27 and 8:35 min/mile. Now that's what I call consistency. (I picked up the pace the last five miles, going from mid 8s to mid 7s for the last five miles)

You'd be surprised (if you didnt already know) how "easy" running is when you run with someone else. Last Thursday, I was just going to do 10 miles. Jonathan was going to do 14. We got started, nice and easy pace, and I felt so good I decided to go four more miles.

Jonathan is on vacation with his wife and kids next week, so I'll have to be disciplined and keep a safe pace on my own.

Prince vs. Michael Jackson: It doesnt matter anymore.

When we were teenagers, my brother and I used to have these arguments all the time about who was better: Prince or Michael Jackson.

I always went with Prince.(Purple Rain, International Lover, When Doves Cry ... Come on, whats not to like.)

Cedric went with Michael.

From all the adoration that MJ is getting after his death Thursday, Cedric may have been right.

And even sadder is that the argument doesnt matter any more.

Separated at birth: Me and David Alan Grier?

I missed my run Wednesday morning because I was drinking too much at WineStyles the night before. But one of the bar patrons kept saying I look like the comedian, David Alan Grier. If only I had his money and influence... (Hey, maybe he'll read this post and help me with a job. I was a Thespian in high school, you know.)

What do you think?