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.

Another December Run Outside

I just might have to start believing in this global warming stuff, and I like it! Today the temperature rocketed into the mid-50s, although it felt cooler than that due to the stiff breeze. Nevertheless it was prime running weather in this season we call Winter. I ran 6 miles and saw a few others out as well. I started off with ear warmers an mittens but warmed up enough to remove both. The snow is pretty much gone and I was able to wash the winter off my truck, also a slightly cool experience due to the wind. I'm not complaining, though, since tomorrow's high is expected to be 17 degrees. Yes, that's right, that's the high temperature. At least I got in my kicks today.

Winter Run Outside

Today, the day after Christmas, the temperature soared into the mid-40s. Even though there was still residual amounts of snow on the sidewalks I went for an outside run. When I stepped out the door I almost took off down the street, but felt there was just enough chill in the air that I should grab my stocking cap. I'm glad I did since there was just the whisper of a breeze from the south that would have been on the chilly side of...well, chilly. I was sick on Monday and Tuesday, but recovered in time for Christmas. Therefore I took a mile off my usual session and only went 5 miles today. I'm hoping the forecast for Saturday comes true since it's supposed to get into the 50s.

No running gear for Christmas this year. Guess I'll have to see what I need and ask for it for my birthday.

Sleet

Nasty outside today, with sleet and as of this evening, sleet turning into snow. Ran 6 miles on the treadmill and watched three episodes of Scrubs. As with most treadmill runs, that's really all there is to say about it.

Expecting Ice

All the talk the past two days has been about the possibility of an ice storm tomorrow, and several of my employees are making plans to not come in to work. I thought it was getting cold, and since I have an office in the back of the building where we have no windows to the outdoors I was surprised when I walked outside and it was actually pleasant. My truck display read 62 degrees, which surprised me even more. I realized I would actually be able to run outside, and so I did. I took along some knit gloves but never even came close to needing them. I missed Tuesday's run due to a family birthday celebration, but today I ran 6 miles - in nice weather. It was cloudy and slightly breezy from the south, but not bad at all. My overall pace was 9:06/mile, probably a little fast, but I never felt like I was straining. I enjoy these runs outdoors in Winter - each one is like a gift.

Tripping Breakers

Back inside for today's run due to another dusting of snow last night. And wind. And temperatures below freezing. I set up the treadmill and the iPad to "enjoy" an indoor run. About three minutes into the run the circuit tripped and power disappeared. I told Daughter #1 to not run her heater and reset the breaker. Twelve minutes later it happened again. She said she'd turned off a couple of other things when the power was off and didn't realize her heater was still on. After I reset the breaker - again - I ran for the next 41 minutes without incident.

Sometimes running 6 miles outside is a lot easier.

Unexpected Outdoor Run

I wasn't expecting the temperature to get as far above freezing as it did today. But I'm glad it did. When I checked before my run it was 46 degrees, and any thoughts of running inside went right out the front door. I layered up and started running right away instead of doing my usual walk to the end of the street. I ran 6 miles and my overall pace was 9:15. I missed my run on Tuesday due to truck problems (it's now at the mechanic) and because the temperature was in the low teens. Today I went without music or podcast and just enjoyed being outside. I know this was short-lived, but any time I can run outside in winter is a treat.

Chicken

I probably could have run outside yesterday when the temperature was 9 degrees, but I chickened out. So I ran on the treadmill. It went quickly due to three episodes of Scrubs. It's supposed to be cold for a while, so no telling when I'll get back outside again.

One More Nice Day

The cold front is supposed to come through tomorrow, but in the meantime it was about 60 degrees outside when I started my run. I wore shorts and a long-sleeved technical T. And that's probably the last time I'll get to do that for a while. My pace for the 6 miles was right at 9 minutes. I saw lots of other runners out today, no doubt getting in their last run before the cold hits. I felt loose and easy and left the iPod at home. While running along the fence line on 96th Street I kept hearing scurrying in the tall grass by the sidewalk. I figure the mice were not happy with the little earthquakes caused by my footfalls. As long as they stay away from my house I won't bother them.

Is This November?

For being the last day of a normally cold month it sure was nice today. I worked about five hours to replace some rotted-out wood on the railing in front of the house, and thought about not running since I'd been on my feet for so long. But it was just too beautiful outside and I couldn't resist. I ran 6 miles although I'd originally come into the weekend planning to run more. It was 55 degrees and not breezy at all, with the sun shining brightly. I thought I'd take it slow and easy but it didn't work out that way. I felt good and had more spring in my legs than expected. I finished with an 8:48 pace, a lot faster than I would have predicted. I felt good the whole way and even though I tried to throttle down a few times my body decided otherwise. I'm glad I didn't wait until tomorrow because you never know what will happen with the weather. Take advantage of it when you can!

Trotting

This morning four of us ran the Parkville Turkey Trot. I don't know how many times I've run this particular event but today might have been the slowest outing yet. The older girls ran on their own, although we caught up with the oldest a few hundred yards from the finish. I stayed with The Boy, who had problems and had to walk not even a mile into it. We were way back in the pack and not running fast to begin with, but that's okay. Even though it was tough for me to have to walk, it was more about spending time together than trying to set a PR. I think we accomplished that, and managed to have a good time together. Next year we'll try to have the kids trained better, but I have to hand it to The Boy. He ran the last 1.2 miles or so without stopping even though it was painful. That was a good accomplishment.

Short

I took The Boy out for a run again today, and when he was done so was I. It was absolutely nasty out with an awesome wind out of the north. We went 2.5 miles and that was enough. I had a tiny bit of desire to go back out and get in my six but none of the willpower to accompany the desire. The Turkey Trot is on Thursday and we'll be ready. And hopefully the weather won't be as bad.