Last of 2020?

Bad weather is supposed to move in for the next two days, with a remote chance of some snow on Thursday. Which means this could be my last run of the year. Actually, today didn't look too good to start with but in spite of the cloud cover and winds the temperature got up to 70 degrees. I sweated quite a bit during the 5-miler. And since I thought this could be it until next year, I ran the whole way, including the big hill outside the neighborhood.

At the end of this crappy year in so many ways, at least I find myself healthy and able to run consistently. I am thankful for that and hopeful we can get together for races again next year.

Post-Holiday Fun Run

Actually it wasn't that much of a fun run. I was going to add a mile and make this a "long" run, but didn't feel great so I kept it to 5 miles. I ended up walking at miles 2, 3.5, and 4. Not great for what should have been an easy run, but I guess I can blame the usual holiday excesses to feeling less than par. It's about time to work on really getting back into shape. That means less eating and drinking and more healthy food and exercise. Everybody else will be doing it at the first of the year, so why not me too?

Looking for Santa

Granted, it was a little early in the day to be out looking for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. However, I did get harassed by the FVRP (Formerly Virtual Running Partner), who has of late been a FR (Former Runner). He dropped a gift by the house while I was out and then drove up Lake Forest where we crossed paths. He cursed me and gave me the finger, and then he parked in the neighborhood to harass me some more once I got up the hill.

I guess Santa wasn't out because it was 43 degrees and windy, or maybe it was the sunlight. Whatever the case, barely anybody else was out either. I layered up and ran my 5 miles, and I'm glad I did. I needed the exercise and routine after several days of neither. At the risk of jinxing myself, this seems like the longest stretch in a couple of years where I've been injury-free and felt strong in my running. Let's hope it continues into the new year.

Them Hills

Change of pace on a sunny and mild December morning - I headed west and ran the hills. I feel like I walked this route plenty last winter, and I'm sure I've run it at some point since then but am too lazy to look it up. My 5 miles took me over to Stonebridge and back. The only hill I walked was the killer one coming east up from Ridge along Virginia. That's a beast. I'm feeling stronger but not quite up to taking on that challenge yet. I used to run hills a lot - in fact, I couldn't help but run hills around where we lived in KC. Now my normal route is mostly flat, but if I can build up some strength with these hills I'll be in a better spot to train for a race next year. Assuming that this lockdown will end at some point and we'll actually get to have races again.

Despair and Then Sun

This morning was rainy and breezy. I spent it doing a grocery run and some stuff around the house. I ate lunch, thinking I could run an hour later. Then the weather became a little worse and I despaired of running today.

About 90 minutes later the sky cleared, the mist stopped, and the breeze settled down. I think I hit the perfect seam in the weather today. The sun was shining all 6 miles, and I enjoyed it so much I ran the whole way. Yes, even up the big hill. I purposefully kept the pace down and finished at 9:45/mile. I feel like that helped my effort. Plus, so soon after the rain and with sidewalks still wet I didn't see a lot of other people out. It was a good start to the holiday week.

Everybody is Faster Except the Guy on the Bike

About a half-mile in I passed a guy walking. I'd seen him running but at that point he was walking and looking at his phone. After five minutes or so he passed me and kept slowly pulling away. When I was near the one-mile mark he was coming up on a guy walking, who suddenly took off and hoofed it faster than the two of us. As the run went along the fast guy was out of sight by the two-mile mark, and the first guy was walking again. I passed him going the other way after I'd turned at the halfway point of my 5 miles.

Sadly, the only guy who was slower than me was on a bike. As I reached the big hill I saw him behind me as I crossed the street. He continued up the hill, going very slow and passing me on the other side. As I reached the top of the hill I started running again and passed him before turning into the neighborhood. Granted, he was trying to ride a bike up a big hill, but in honesty I don't think he was out for a quick ride anyway. 

Nice day, sun shining, and back home before dark. And tonight is a whisky tasting at the pub. Definitely a good day!

Saturday Run, Delayed Post

I thought Saturday's run would be better than it was, but along the way I felt a little not-so-good. I was going to run six miles but instead went 5, and walked a couple of times. Once was at the halfway point and the other at mile three. I think my stomach was a little upset, but not so bad that anything horrible happened. I had the same thing yesterday (Sunday) coming back from the store, but that one did turn out to be pretty urgent. Weird. Oh well, at least I got my run in, and then took two days to post about it.

Dusky

I got out 15 minutes earlier than I thought I would since my late afternoon call ended early. That certainly helped since by the time I got home the sun was almost down. It's been an ultra-busy work week and I'm glad I was able to get out and exercise. I ran my normal 5-mile route. My pace was closer to 10 minutes/mile than the last few runs where I was (nominally) faster, and I attribute that to working too much. Oh well, any run is better than no run.

Late Meeting, Earlier Run

 I had a meeting scheduled for late in the afternoon that I knew would probably run over, so I ran earlier in the afternoon when I had a gap in the schedule. It was a gorgeous day with good temperatures, especially for December. I ran my 5 miles and was able to get back before the school zone got crazy. And even had time to shower before my next meeting. Yes, the late meeting ran over, as I knew it would.

Winter Saturday Run

Today was actually a nice day, especially for December. I ran at mid-day, with the sun shining and temperature heading toward 60 degrees. Even though I missed my Thursday session (cold, raining, work, etc.) I decided to go for 6 miles. And I did. Overall it was a good outing, with an overall pace at 9:15. My fastest mile was 9:02, which kind of surprised me. I kept trying to rein it in and apparently my body wouldn't listen and just stayed at a tempo that felt reasonable. No complaints here. I felt fine.

And that thing I mentioned awhile back about my right knee and the cord (maybe a welt? I don't know and don't care enough to be research) around the edge of the mattress? Every since I noticed that and position myself correctly, including sometimes waking up in the middle of the night to shift my leg...well, that pain is gone. 

Reminds me of the time back in the 90s where I started having back pain, which I'd never had before. I woke up one night stretched out stomach-side down and The Wife was sleeping draped over half of my back. Once I realized that and told her to knock it off my back felt better. It's funny the little things and habits we develop which actually end up causing some minor, or not-so-minor, aches and pains.

Post-Thanksgiving

 My laziness overcame me last week - not good, especially around the holidays. I let busyness with family and events get the best of me. Well, this week I'm back at it. Even though it was only about 50 degrees today with a stiff cold breeze I went 5 miles. I ran in my new shoes and they felt good, as new shoes often do. I think I could really use a race to aim for, but we'll have to see how that plays out in the new year as the quarantine madness hopefully lifts.