Running Out

Finally made it back outside for a run today with the Virtual Running Partner. It was cold, windy, but sunny. We went 6 miles easy with a lot of walks since he's not used to hills. And heck, neither am I after several weeks indoors.

Speeding Inside

Today was another indoor speedwork day, same as last Tuesday. I have high hopes that the snow will melt off the sidewalks by Saturday for my 10-miler, since I don't think I can do that on the treadmill. I ran my 6 miles today with 4 miles at the 8:00/mile pace. It was annoying and I look forward to running in the sunlight again someday.

Continuing the Plan

Even though I felt a little lazy today I still ran 5 miles on the treadmill. Or approximately 5 miles. I've decided running on the treadmill is more about the time than any precise measurement, mainly because I don't trust the pace, distance, or even the calories burned displayed on the screen. So I ran 45 minutes, which equates to approximately 5 miles. And that's what we're going with.

More

Spent more time on the treadmill today, to the tune of 8 miles' worth. I was driving home after lunch and picking up one of the kids from an activity, and we saw a woman running outside. The sidewalk on that side of the street was plowed, but closer to home, not so much. I suppose if I really applied myself I could have found a way to run outside, but it just seemed like too much work. Still, I need an outside run soon. Doubtful that the snow is going to melt anytime in the next week, though.

Even More Speed...Inside

More snow on the ground and cold temperatures means more speedwork inside. I did Yasso 800s today - 800m at a 7:30 pace (supposed to be 7:00 but I'm easing into it) followed by 400m at a slower recovery pace. Ran five of the 800s and it actually went pretty well, until the end of the second one when I realized I hadn't adjusted the incline on the treadmill. I hiked it up for the next three.

Overall I have to say I felt pretty good, especially since this run and the one two days ago were the first speed sessions I've done in awhile. Along with warmup and cooldown I went the standard 6 miles today. Maybe someday I can run outside again.

Speeding It Up

First speedwork session was today, and due to about 8 inches of snow it took place on the treadmill. I ran the usual 6 miles which included 4 miles of 8:00/mile pace. I haven't done speedwork on the treadmill a whole lot in the past, and I can't say I'm a big fan of it. One benefit it offers is a consistent pace. The downside is that it offers a consistent pace. I'm a slow starter and when it comes to speeding up it usually takes me a few minutes to ramp up. Plus the variations in terrain also dictate changes in pace, and that's missing on the 'mill.

The temperature is due to remain cold. No telling when I'll be able to run outside again, but I'm pretty sure it won't be this week.

Start

Today I began the training program for the half in March. And at least for the near future it's all going to take place on the treadmill. I ran 4 miles today, an easy run before tomorrow's speedwork. This should be interesting.

Back In

Snow yesterday and this morning means I ran inside again today. It would be nice if there was a better alternative to running outside. Other than living someplace warm, since that's apparently not going to happen anytime soon. I went 6 miles and with the Breaking Bad episodes I was watching, it went fast.

Made It Out

Today did not present the best of running conditions, but they marginally good enough. The temperature was about 40 degrees or so, but the wind out of the west was pretty steady at 12-15 mph. I decided it was worth the pain to run outside, and so I did my 6 miles. The run itself went pretty well with an 8:59 pace. My left knee is bugging me a little, probably because of the constant back and forth between treadmill and concrete.

And tonight I signed up for a race, finally. I'll be running the Rock and Roll Half Marathon in Dallas next month. I know, I keep saying I'm not going to run another race in Dallas, but when your Virtual Running Partner lives there you just have to suck it up and chance that the wind won't be so bad. At least the course doesn't go around White Rock Lake, which should help. Next week I'll start the real training plan, including speed work and maybe another run on Mondays.

Marginally Better

The day started at 0 degrees, which was the temperature on my way to work. It was in the 20s on my way home, and even though I saw a lady out running I didn't get the urge to do so myself. I stayed indoors and ran 6 on the treadmill. I'm going to register for a half in Dallas in late March and I have a feeling I'll be doing a lot of my training on the 'mill. I hope I'm wrong.

Surprise Outside Run

When I got up this Saturday morning it was cold and windy. Guys outside were installing Google Fiber down our street, and I felt bad for them. A little after noon I stepped outside and it was still way too cloudy, windy and cold for an outdoor run. I fell down on the couch and took a little bit of a nap, and when I got up a little after 2 p.m. the sun was out and the wind was much calmer. I decided it was good enough to run outdoors and sure enough, it was. I ran my 6-mile route at an 8:55 pace. On the way back by the golf course I was very tempted to walk up the hill against the wind but talked myself into slowing down and taking it easy. It turned out just fine, since any time I can run outside in January is a good time.

Need. Warm. Weather.

Another day of subfreezing temperatures. When I ran it was 14 degrees out with a wind chill close to zero. Which means...treadmill. Making my way again through the third season of Breaking Bad, which to me is where the series amped up the intensity. Almost every scene is pivotal and the stress on the characters is high. Today's run went really fast just because of that. I suppose as long as I can watch that show then running inside isn't as bad as it could be.

Cold Doesn't Really Describe It

When it's 21 degrees outside and the wind chill is 10 degrees lower than that, you know it's a day for running inside. 6 miles on the treadmill. Can we move someplace warm yet?

Another Treadmill Run

Another day where the temperature wasn't horrible, but the wind was. Seriously, the sustained wind was between 15-20 mph with gusts almost twice that. After my 6-mile treadmill run I went to the store and saw a couple just starting on a run. I wonder how long they lasted...

Back Inside

The temperature today wasn't actually too bad, in the mid 40s, but the wind was horrific. It knocked the wind chill down below freezing. Which meant I ran on the treadmill. Last time and this I used the golf course program to run "hills." The program only lasts about 40 minutes, and then I had to continue on just a straight run without the frills. Since I finished my second viewing of House of Cards yesterday I went back to Breaking Bad for today's run. I definitely couldn't run more than ten minutes on a treadmill without the distraction of some good TV shows.

In and Out

I forgot to post about Saturday's run, mainly because I probably should have run outside. It was nice enough, albeit a little breezy, but I was in that mode where I just didn't care anything at all about being cold. Yes, I passed up a chance to run in the outdoors. In retrospect, it was lame. But at least I stayed warm.

Today was another story. I don't normally run on Mondays unless I'm training for a race, but I couldn't pass up the the chance today. It was sunny and in the upper 40s. Tomorrow it's supposed to be "noticeably colder," according to the language on one weather site I look at daily. Which meant today was the day. I can adjust my routine in the interest of enjoying a run on a nice day as opposed to rigidly sticking to my schedule and having to hit the treadmill again. My actions on Saturday are beside the point. Leave me alone!

Yes, I'm sensitive about that decision, and we shall not speak of it again.

Treadmill Time

Another cold day, another run on the treadmill. Snow still on the ground outside and not an end in sight yet to get rid of it. I was feeling pretty blah after work today and thought maybe I was coming down with something. I almost blew off the run but wanted to get back to three runs a week, and you can't do that if you skip days. Plus that would have put four days between Tuesday's run and the next one scheduled on Saturday. I can't say I felt a ton better after the run, but I also didn't feel any worse. Lots of people were gone from work today because of the flu going around, and I'm hoping I'm not the next casualty.

Hope

I was kind of hoping to run outside today. It was a long shot since the snow is still on the ground from the weekend and yesterday the high temperature was 3. Yes, that's right. Three whole degrees. Today the mercury soared to about 35 degrees, a difference of over 40 degrees from the -8 I experienced on the drive to work yesterday.

Anyway, I was hoping the sun coming out today might have had an effect on the sidewalks. Strangely enough, someone had plowed some of the sidewalks along the main roads, but not all of them. Certainly not in the neighborhood itself. And the plowing left a skin of snow on the concrete. In other words, it still looked hazardous.

I ran inside again, a 6-miler on the treadmill. And so it goes.

Winter Cold

It was an easy decision to run inside today. Snow still covered the sidewalks and the wind blew pretty stiff. We're at the front end of a major cold spell. I guess I should be grateful we got to the freezing point since the high on Monday is predicted to be 1 degree. Yes, that will be the high. Anyway, I ran for an hour on the treadmill. I'm rewatching House of Cards since the second season is due out next month. It made the time go by very quickly, which is all I can ask for when I'm running place.

Final Run of the Year

I did get out for one final run in 2013, and it was a good one. Once again the temperature was nice enough (53 degrees) and the sun was out. The breeze from the southwest was pretty stiff but not horrible enough to cause me to stay inside. My pace for the 6 miles ended up being 8:55/minute. It didn't feel like I was going that fast, fast being a relative term. It was great to run outside and to finish up the year on a strong note.

I didn't race any in 2013, and I need to change that in the coming year. I stayed healthy all year, at least as far as running goes, so maybe I can translate that into a few races. It's been several years since I did a full marathon and I'm going to set that as my goal this year.