It was another gorgeous day and I was helpless to resist the pull. Once again I skipped the allure of running an errand on the way home so I could get out while the sun was shining. I made it. I thought briefly about how I ran yesterday and that was my first day back in a few weeks, so maybe it wasn't a good idea to run again the next day. But there's rain in the forecast. And it's February 2nd. You don't get this opportunity every year. Even though I was excited to get out I still practiced some restraint and went only 4 miles. Lots of other people were out to enjoy the weather (and by lots I mean less than a dozen). Some city guys were working on the hill by a sidewalk on Shoal Creek, making the drainage work better so the mudslides don't cover the concrete.
It looks like the fun is over for a few days and the treadmill might be back in operation soon. It was fun while it lasted.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Back to It
When I got home I told The Wife I was going out for a run. Note: I don't usually run on Wednesdays. She was surprised, of course. Another note: Today was absolutely gorgeous, February 1st or not, since it was in the mid-60's. I told her if I didn't run on a day like today then I deserved to never run again.
This was my first foray into running in about 2 1/2 weeks. I kept it slow and only went 3 miles. It was clear that laying off of The Knee for an extended period paid off. I felt absolutely no pain whatsoever, which was quite refreshing. I'm hoping to springboard off this run and get back into training without interruption for a while. I feel like the past year+ has been nothing but stop and start with the training. It's time to stay healthy and run a race this spring.
This was my first foray into running in about 2 1/2 weeks. I kept it slow and only went 3 miles. It was clear that laying off of The Knee for an extended period paid off. I felt absolutely no pain whatsoever, which was quite refreshing. I'm hoping to springboard off this run and get back into training without interruption for a while. I feel like the past year+ has been nothing but stop and start with the training. It's time to stay healthy and run a race this spring.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Baseball Walk
Yesterday I hit the treadmill again for an hour walk. It looked nice enough to talk a walk outdoors, but it was very windy. I stayed in and watched a few more innings of World Series Game 1 from October. Very enjoyable since the good guys won the game.
I'm hoping to start running again this week. As I did a few months ago I'll take it slow and easy starting up and slowly increase the mileage. What a pain. Or I hope it's not a pain, if you get my drift.
I'm hoping to start running again this week. As I did a few months ago I'll take it slow and easy starting up and slowly increase the mileage. What a pain. Or I hope it's not a pain, if you get my drift.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Suffering
It now appears that my football outing produced lingering effects, effects I was hoping would not come to pass. The Knee has been tender with that swollen feeling ever since the game. I've walked on the treadmill about three more times, including a 50-minute "outing" today. It almost feels like I could run on it, but I can tap on the side near the kneecap with a finger and can tell where it's irritated. For the time being I'm going to keep up with the walking and maybe next week I can get back to running.
This stinks pretty bad since we're having such a mild winter. Today was windy but the temperature got up into the fifties. I can run in that. I'd like to be able to get outside while the weather is good. It's also frustrating because I had climbed back up to a good distance for my long runs. At this point the race in NM in March is out of reach. If I can get it together I think a May date for a race is more realistic.
I did show an inkling of smarts this past weekend. We were invited to play football again, but I passed on the opportunity and let The Boy play with his friends without me. He had fun and I gave my irritated knee more opportunity to heal. I can still learn a lesson from bad experience.
This stinks pretty bad since we're having such a mild winter. Today was windy but the temperature got up into the fifties. I can run in that. I'd like to be able to get outside while the weather is good. It's also frustrating because I had climbed back up to a good distance for my long runs. At this point the race in NM in March is out of reach. If I can get it together I think a May date for a race is more realistic.
I did show an inkling of smarts this past weekend. We were invited to play football again, but I passed on the opportunity and let The Boy play with his friends without me. He had fun and I gave my irritated knee more opportunity to heal. I can still learn a lesson from bad experience.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Football
Well, I'm still an idiot. I went out yesterday (a 60 degree day in January!) and played a couple of hours of football with the boy and some dads and their sons. Let's review, shall we? I haven't played a pick-up game of football since I've lived in KC, and that's been over eight years. And I don't recall the last time I did so before moving. Conservatively I'd say it's been over ten years since I played in a game.
It was fun. I realized my knees aren't 100% so I took it pretty easy. I play to win, which we didn't, but I still play pretty hard. I made a few good plays, if I do say so myself, as well as the catch of the day on a long pass that I somehow snagged. Wish I had the instant replay of that. My big worry was that I wouldn't have the timing to throw a pass to a running target, but it was amazing how quickly the old instincts come back. I'm not the greatest player, by any means, but I spent a lot of time on playground football through junior high. That continued with lots of youth group Sunday afternoon games through high school and into intramural games in college, where I was our wing's quarterback. So I'm pretty decent still, especially for an older guy. I never played organized ball in school because I was just too darn small and didn't want to get grounded into the field to become a grass stain on some linebacker's white pants.
The upshot of all this is that running around, cutting back and forth across the field, and generally doing a lot of movements my body is not used to actually affected me more than I thought it would. Being fit with running doesn't necessarily mean you're fit for other sports. It helps, and I've heard other people talk about the differences, but let me say....ouch. I am so sore today that I just wanted to curl into a ball and sleep away the day. But I didn't. After all, I have to work.
By the time I arrived home I realized I needed some stretching and working out to keep the muscles limber. It was cold and breezy out, although not too bad, but I determined the treadmill would be easier on my aching body. I got everything ready, walked five minutes at a slower setting, and then cranked it up for about an hour of running.
I made it two minutes.
The Knee, which as I reported previously had been feeling better, did not feel better. It wasn't a sharp, stinging pain or anything like that. It was more a feeling of something swollen. Every step was painful. I thought about continuing to see if it would work itself out, but two minutes was all I could take. I cut my losses this time.
It's still not horribly bad. I went ahead and walked through an episode of NewsRadio and called it quits. Hopefully a couple of days off will repair the stress I put it under when playing football. I guess at this point I'll have to decide if I want to (figuratively) hang up the cleats the next time we're invited to play or not. Getting old stinks. As I posted elsewhere, it's good that I had fun and played well enough to where I feel like I still have it. The problem is that "it" is more achy and painful afterward and takes longer to recover from than it used to.
It was fun. I realized my knees aren't 100% so I took it pretty easy. I play to win, which we didn't, but I still play pretty hard. I made a few good plays, if I do say so myself, as well as the catch of the day on a long pass that I somehow snagged. Wish I had the instant replay of that. My big worry was that I wouldn't have the timing to throw a pass to a running target, but it was amazing how quickly the old instincts come back. I'm not the greatest player, by any means, but I spent a lot of time on playground football through junior high. That continued with lots of youth group Sunday afternoon games through high school and into intramural games in college, where I was our wing's quarterback. So I'm pretty decent still, especially for an older guy. I never played organized ball in school because I was just too darn small and didn't want to get grounded into the field to become a grass stain on some linebacker's white pants.
The upshot of all this is that running around, cutting back and forth across the field, and generally doing a lot of movements my body is not used to actually affected me more than I thought it would. Being fit with running doesn't necessarily mean you're fit for other sports. It helps, and I've heard other people talk about the differences, but let me say....ouch. I am so sore today that I just wanted to curl into a ball and sleep away the day. But I didn't. After all, I have to work.
By the time I arrived home I realized I needed some stretching and working out to keep the muscles limber. It was cold and breezy out, although not too bad, but I determined the treadmill would be easier on my aching body. I got everything ready, walked five minutes at a slower setting, and then cranked it up for about an hour of running.
I made it two minutes.
The Knee, which as I reported previously had been feeling better, did not feel better. It wasn't a sharp, stinging pain or anything like that. It was more a feeling of something swollen. Every step was painful. I thought about continuing to see if it would work itself out, but two minutes was all I could take. I cut my losses this time.
It's still not horribly bad. I went ahead and walked through an episode of NewsRadio and called it quits. Hopefully a couple of days off will repair the stress I put it under when playing football. I guess at this point I'll have to decide if I want to (figuratively) hang up the cleats the next time we're invited to play or not. Getting old stinks. As I posted elsewhere, it's good that I had fun and played well enough to where I feel like I still have it. The problem is that "it" is more achy and painful afterward and takes longer to recover from than it used to.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Not Too Bad
The cold settled in for the past couple of days, making today kind of iffy as far as being able to run outside. It worked out okay, though, as the sun came out and the remnants of Thursday's snow have almost faded away. The temperature actually climbed into the low 40's today. A slight breeze seemed stronger than it actually was at times, but it wasn't too bad.
The Wife wanted to run today, too, but she had an errand to run and ate lunch later than I did. So we did a run in reverse. I went out and ran for an hour and then came back by the house to pick her up for a three-miler. In total I went 9.25 miles, which I think is the longest run I've had in quite awhile.
The Knee is still feeling pretty good but I still don't think it's ever come back to 100%. I'd give it a good 85-90% of normal right now, which is pretty good compared to how it was in the fall. I still haven't decided on a venue for my next race. I'd like to go to NM in March, but I'm also seeing that gas prices are going to keep skyrocketing. If that's the case then my options for a race will likely be closer to home.
The Wife wanted to run today, too, but she had an errand to run and ate lunch later than I did. So we did a run in reverse. I went out and ran for an hour and then came back by the house to pick her up for a three-miler. In total I went 9.25 miles, which I think is the longest run I've had in quite awhile.
The Knee is still feeling pretty good but I still don't think it's ever come back to 100%. I'd give it a good 85-90% of normal right now, which is pretty good compared to how it was in the fall. I still haven't decided on a venue for my next race. I'd like to go to NM in March, but I'm also seeing that gas prices are going to keep skyrocketing. If that's the case then my options for a race will likely be closer to home.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Winter Strikes
The delay in winter is over. Last night the temperature slunk down to the teens and some snow fell. Fortunately it wasn't too much, probably less than an inch, but the wind has just been brutal. So much for running outside, at least for a few days. Today I ran 6 miles on the treadmill, and like I did last week (but didn't write about), I did some fartleks to break up the routine. Last week I did 1-2-3-2-1 fartleks while today I did 1-2-3-4-3-2-1. Along with three episodes of NewsRadio from the third season I made it just fine to head into the weekend.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Talking Too Much
Warning: This post contains sexist stereotypes and comments that will be offensive to some. Especially women. Women who like to talk. But I repeat myself.
Today was another absolutely gorgeous day and I could hardly wait to get home and run. I had to make a detour on the way home to pick up some kids, who happened to be mine, so I was a few minutes later than normal. Mindful of the rapidly setting sun I hurriedly changed into running clothes. The Wife wanted to run, too, so I told her to hustle. We made it out in good time and hit stride at the bottom of the hill.
I was interested in warming up a little since it was colder than I thought. I was glad there was very little breeze, maybe 5 mph at the most, but it was enough to cool me off. I should have worn a cotton shirt over my long-sleeved technical t. The Wife was telling me about the happenings of the day and then moved on to other related stories. As we got close to a mile into our run I realized I wasn't warming up and the sun was headed below the horizon within a short time. Then it hit me: she's talking too much!
I looked at my Garmin and sure enough, our pace was close to 14 minutes/mile. I took the opportunity to give her a bark that would make the Biggest Loser trainers proud (without the cussing). "Pick it up! You're slowing down too much!"
She increased her speed and continued talking. Now, I know women like to talk. It's who they are. But it was clear this was causing her to slow down. After another half mile I prompted her again in the same fashion, "Move it! We're at a 14 minute pace! If we're going to go at that pace we might as well walk!" To her credit she did speed up and we split at just over 2 miles into the run.
By this time the sun was sinking below the horizon and I could feel more frequent pockets of cold air. Passing vehicles didn't help by creating their own temporary breeze. I quickened my pace to get in a tempo run. It was probably a good two miles before I felt warmer. My overall run was 6 miles, as normal, and in spite of the slow beginning I came in at just under 60 minutes for the total time. I decided that wasn't too bad as I kept my tempo pace between 8:30-9 minutes/mile.
I enjoyed running with The Wife, but this is one of those days I could have headed out and been a lot further down the road before the sun went down. But that's okay. It was a worthwhile sacrifice to make in order to spend some time with her. And I would never discourage anyone from running, but I would encourage them to run faster.
Today was another absolutely gorgeous day and I could hardly wait to get home and run. I had to make a detour on the way home to pick up some kids, who happened to be mine, so I was a few minutes later than normal. Mindful of the rapidly setting sun I hurriedly changed into running clothes. The Wife wanted to run, too, so I told her to hustle. We made it out in good time and hit stride at the bottom of the hill.
I was interested in warming up a little since it was colder than I thought. I was glad there was very little breeze, maybe 5 mph at the most, but it was enough to cool me off. I should have worn a cotton shirt over my long-sleeved technical t. The Wife was telling me about the happenings of the day and then moved on to other related stories. As we got close to a mile into our run I realized I wasn't warming up and the sun was headed below the horizon within a short time. Then it hit me: she's talking too much!
I looked at my Garmin and sure enough, our pace was close to 14 minutes/mile. I took the opportunity to give her a bark that would make the Biggest Loser trainers proud (without the cussing). "Pick it up! You're slowing down too much!"
She increased her speed and continued talking. Now, I know women like to talk. It's who they are. But it was clear this was causing her to slow down. After another half mile I prompted her again in the same fashion, "Move it! We're at a 14 minute pace! If we're going to go at that pace we might as well walk!" To her credit she did speed up and we split at just over 2 miles into the run.
By this time the sun was sinking below the horizon and I could feel more frequent pockets of cold air. Passing vehicles didn't help by creating their own temporary breeze. I quickened my pace to get in a tempo run. It was probably a good two miles before I felt warmer. My overall run was 6 miles, as normal, and in spite of the slow beginning I came in at just under 60 minutes for the total time. I decided that wasn't too bad as I kept my tempo pace between 8:30-9 minutes/mile.
I enjoyed running with The Wife, but this is one of those days I could have headed out and been a lot further down the road before the sun went down. But that's okay. It was a worthwhile sacrifice to make in order to spend some time with her. And I would never discourage anyone from running, but I would encourage them to run faster.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Global Warming
Global warming, er...climate change, er...whatever scam is in vogue to funnel money to corrupt politicians these days...well, let's just say that whatever you want to call the warmer winter weather - it rocks! It was another day of running outside in January. In shorts. Amazing. Reminds me of my youth in New Mexico, it does.
It was so nice (how nice was it?) that I set out to run 8 miles and tacked on an extra half-mile and could have gone for more. I saw a lot of people out running today, much more than on most weekends. Looks like the resolutions for the new year are still in force for people, which is good. The warm weather will definitely make it easier for people to enjoy a walk or a run. I'm still waiting for real winter to get here, and it will at some point.
I ran by myself today due to The Wife having hurt her ankle on Thursday evening. Like I said, it felt so good outside that not only did I go a little farther but I also went at a decent clip, finishing the run with about a 9:19/mile overall pace. I didn't set out for a particular goal as far as that goes, but just went with whatever was feeling good. A slight breeze from the north seemed to be pushing against me when running any direction except due south, but it didn't bother me enough to slow my pace. All in all a very good run. I'm thankful for the great weather and wish it would stay this way all winter. It won't, but I'll take what I can get.
It was so nice (how nice was it?) that I set out to run 8 miles and tacked on an extra half-mile and could have gone for more. I saw a lot of people out running today, much more than on most weekends. Looks like the resolutions for the new year are still in force for people, which is good. The warm weather will definitely make it easier for people to enjoy a walk or a run. I'm still waiting for real winter to get here, and it will at some point.
I ran by myself today due to The Wife having hurt her ankle on Thursday evening. Like I said, it felt so good outside that not only did I go a little farther but I also went at a decent clip, finishing the run with about a 9:19/mile overall pace. I didn't set out for a particular goal as far as that goes, but just went with whatever was feeling good. A slight breeze from the north seemed to be pushing against me when running any direction except due south, but it didn't bother me enough to slow my pace. All in all a very good run. I'm thankful for the great weather and wish it would stay this way all winter. It won't, but I'll take what I can get.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Spring in January
I couldn't wait to run today. The temperature was about 60 degrees and just about perfect. It was maybe a little too perfect since on my way home I saw a guy running in shorts and no shirt. Definitely not the norm here in the winter Midwest.
The Wife ran almost three miles with me and there were several other runners out. Once we split routes I took off for a tempo run and did so for three miles. It's funny because yesterday I was reading a bit in that runner's magazine we all read about coming up on somebody to pass them and they speed up. As I crossed the road at one point another guy was running the same way on that sidewalk and I let him go by first. I was running a pretty good clip at that point but he'd doubtless seen me before the turn and I had no idea he was there. We seemed to be running about the same speed but as I got closer he sped up and kept up a faster pace for the next mile and a half. He crossed the road at my turnaround point and ran back up the street on the other side while I stayed on the same sidewalk. I kept up a pretty steady pace, particularly up the hills, and there were a few places where I would expect to have moved in front of him because I was on the inside of the curve. Apparently he sped up because I never got in front of him and by the time we returned to the point we'd first joined up he beat me there. I wasn't racing but I thought it was amusing in light of the article about people who won't let others pass them. He's probably the same when driving, too.
Anyway, it was a great day to enjoy the outdoors. I wore shorts a technical t and it was perfect. I wish this weather would stay all winter but I know that at some point we'll get a big old dose of winter. For now I'm reveling in the warmth.
The Wife ran almost three miles with me and there were several other runners out. Once we split routes I took off for a tempo run and did so for three miles. It's funny because yesterday I was reading a bit in that runner's magazine we all read about coming up on somebody to pass them and they speed up. As I crossed the road at one point another guy was running the same way on that sidewalk and I let him go by first. I was running a pretty good clip at that point but he'd doubtless seen me before the turn and I had no idea he was there. We seemed to be running about the same speed but as I got closer he sped up and kept up a faster pace for the next mile and a half. He crossed the road at my turnaround point and ran back up the street on the other side while I stayed on the same sidewalk. I kept up a pretty steady pace, particularly up the hills, and there were a few places where I would expect to have moved in front of him because I was on the inside of the curve. Apparently he sped up because I never got in front of him and by the time we returned to the point we'd first joined up he beat me there. I wasn't racing but I thought it was amusing in light of the article about people who won't let others pass them. He's probably the same when driving, too.
Anyway, it was a great day to enjoy the outdoors. I wore shorts a technical t and it was perfect. I wish this weather would stay all winter but I know that at some point we'll get a big old dose of winter. For now I'm reveling in the warmth.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Breaking Trail in 2012
Three days in and I'm breaking trail in the new year. Sadly, the trail is on the treadmill. I probably could have run outside today but I just didn't feel like battling the wind. It's still unseasonably warm, around 50 degrees for today's high, but it's been awful windy. Thursday is supposed to be warmer and less windy.
I'm considering where and when my next race will be. I'm thinking I'll run a full marathon in both halves of the year, hopefully by April or so in the first half. I'd still like to run the Bataan at WSMR, but that seems soon. I think I can make it, though, as far as being prepared to run. The bigger question will be finances and how much it will cost to get to New Mexico with gas prices still high. And I could certainly go for some chicken enchiladas with sour cream sauce at Margo's. That's motivation enough for just about anybody to run 26.2 miles. Or more.
I'm considering where and when my next race will be. I'm thinking I'll run a full marathon in both halves of the year, hopefully by April or so in the first half. I'd still like to run the Bataan at WSMR, but that seems soon. I think I can make it, though, as far as being prepared to run. The bigger question will be finances and how much it will cost to get to New Mexico with gas prices still high. And I could certainly go for some chicken enchiladas with sour cream sauce at Margo's. That's motivation enough for just about anybody to run 26.2 miles. Or more.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Final Run of the Year
It's nice to end the year on an up note. Today was great temperature-wise, with a foray into the low 60s. The wind was a brutal sustained 20 mph with gusts much higher than that. The Wife ran the first couple with me and then I carried on for another six to end up with 8 miles total. Fortunately I was running against the wind mostly downhill. Other than that it wasn't really that bothersome.
The Year in Quick Review
I started running marathons in 2007, and this was the first year since then that I did not get to run one. Starting with the heel problems early in the year to the knee problems in the second half, it was not a great running year. I had my best half-marathon in April, but that was the high point. I'm just glad to still be running and enjoying it. Even though it was frustrating at times, especially since I registered for Memphis and ended up having to halt my training, I think about people who have career-ending injuries or who can't run in the first place. So even with a few setbacks I'm thankful that I have the opportunity to continue lacing up my shoes and getting in my runs three times a week. Let's hope I can return to marathoning in 2012. If not I'll still be content with what I can do.
The Year in Quick Review
I started running marathons in 2007, and this was the first year since then that I did not get to run one. Starting with the heel problems early in the year to the knee problems in the second half, it was not a great running year. I had my best half-marathon in April, but that was the high point. I'm just glad to still be running and enjoying it. Even though it was frustrating at times, especially since I registered for Memphis and ended up having to halt my training, I think about people who have career-ending injuries or who can't run in the first place. So even with a few setbacks I'm thankful that I have the opportunity to continue lacing up my shoes and getting in my runs three times a week. Let's hope I can return to marathoning in 2012. If not I'll still be content with what I can do.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Fartleks=Speed Play
That's what the word is supposed to mean, anyway. In the spirit of speeding up the workouts a little bit, I ran two miles with The Wife and then did some fartleks over the next three before finishing with a normal-paced final mile. It actually was fun to run faster. I picked arbitrary landmarks, like street lights or fire hydrants, as my target for the speedier parts. My pace during the quicker stretches was right at 8 minutes/mile, which wasn't blazing fast but good enough to make me sweat a little.
The temperature was unseasonably warm in the 50's this afternoon. It was really nice outside at lunch but had clouded over by late afternoon. It was still nice enough to go out in longer pants and a long-sleeved technical shirt with no other layers or head covering. I also went without my iPod since I just wanted to enjoy an untethered run, both musically and my running plan. It worked and I feel nice and relaxed. Definitely a successful run.
The temperature was unseasonably warm in the 50's this afternoon. It was really nice outside at lunch but had clouded over by late afternoon. It was still nice enough to go out in longer pants and a long-sleeved technical shirt with no other layers or head covering. I also went without my iPod since I just wanted to enjoy an untethered run, both musically and my running plan. It worked and I feel nice and relaxed. Definitely a successful run.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Speeding It Up
I thought today was going to be an inside running day, and even said so when The Wife called this morning to ask me about it. She was curious because she was going to run with me. However, when I left work it was sunny and the temperature was in the mid-40's. That fact quickly changed my mindset to the possibility of an outside run.
At home I discovered The Wife laid out on the couch, tired from her day. Now that I was running solo I hurried out the door for a brisk warmup walk and then a run a little quicker than normal. The Wife runs at a more relaxed pace, but I've been thinking I needed to kick it up a notch and vary my running a little bit. I've been "stuck" in the easy run mode for the past few months, but then again I've also been stuck in the recovering-from-an-injury mode during that time.
Tonight I set out at a quicker pace. Surprisingly I saw a number of other people out exercising, which was weird due to the stiff breeze and the cool weather. I finished the 6-mile run with an overall pace of 9:12/minute. Not blistering, but definitely faster than I've been running. It felt relaxed, even against the wind. I wasn't sure how today's run would go since I spent most of the day at work moving around carts and sleeving mail trays due to several people being out on one of our busiest production days. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it didn't affect my run, or at least it didn't affect it to where I noticed.
At home I discovered The Wife laid out on the couch, tired from her day. Now that I was running solo I hurried out the door for a brisk warmup walk and then a run a little quicker than normal. The Wife runs at a more relaxed pace, but I've been thinking I needed to kick it up a notch and vary my running a little bit. I've been "stuck" in the easy run mode for the past few months, but then again I've also been stuck in the recovering-from-an-injury mode during that time.
Tonight I set out at a quicker pace. Surprisingly I saw a number of other people out exercising, which was weird due to the stiff breeze and the cool weather. I finished the 6-mile run with an overall pace of 9:12/minute. Not blistering, but definitely faster than I've been running. It felt relaxed, even against the wind. I wasn't sure how today's run would go since I spent most of the day at work moving around carts and sleeving mail trays due to several people being out on one of our busiest production days. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it didn't affect my run, or at least it didn't affect it to where I noticed.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Christmas Eve Run
Yesterday it was nice enough to get outside for a run. The Wife and I took off after lunch and she went about 2 miles with me. I continued on for another four and took it nice and easy. It was a good run with a decent temperature, warmer than I'd expected. I keep hearing that this winter isn't supposed to be as bad as last winter, but I'll believe it when I see it. We had lots going on with Christmas Eve and all that, but fortunately we were able to fit in the run. A few more outings and it'll be 2012. Hopefully that will turn out to be better for marathon racing than this year was!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
On Second Thought
When I left work I thought I was going to run outside today. The sky was partly cloudy, but the temperature didn't seem as low as some of the other times I've run. Plus the wind didn't seem too bad. After I picked up my truck (finally repaired!) I drove home and then took some pictures of it. As I was standing outside I realized it was breezier than I thought. That led to the quick decision to run on the treadmill instead. For some reason I just didn't feel like being cold. And that's the story of how I did 6 miles inside instead of out.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
A Storm Missed
The blizzard that struck the Great Plains yesterday was predicted to bring a wintry mix to KC. This morning we were supposed to wake up to icy roads and overlaid by an inch of snow. If the forecast was to be believed it was going to be a slippery ride to work. Once again the forecasters were wrong in a good way. The temperature was just above freezing, so all that precipitation stayed in the form of rain. While that proved excellent for the commute, it also made running inside this afternoon a necessity.
It's getting close to Christmas, but I'm not letting up on the training. 6 miles was in order for today on the treadmill - or three NewsRadio episodes if you're counting at home. One thing I did today that I don't recall doing before was to think of where I would be on my regular 6-mile route at a particular point in time during my stationary run. It helped a little bit. Even though the TV was mostly distracting enough, it still helped to think of the actual progress of a run in relative terms. Let's see if this technique works during the long winter ahead.
It's getting close to Christmas, but I'm not letting up on the training. 6 miles was in order for today on the treadmill - or three NewsRadio episodes if you're counting at home. One thing I did today that I don't recall doing before was to think of where I would be on my regular 6-mile route at a particular point in time during my stationary run. It helped a little bit. Even though the TV was mostly distracting enough, it still helped to think of the actual progress of a run in relative terms. Let's see if this technique works during the long winter ahead.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Almost Perfect Winter Day for Running
The kids asked me if I was crazy when I headed out the door just after noon today. I responded that it was actually a perfect day for running, at least in winter. The temperature was above freezing but below forty, and the wind was only about 7 mph. The sun was shining brightly and the overnight frost had all disappeared. When it comes to the seasons, this is the best kind of day to run in the coldest of them. And for the first time in who knows how long I ran 8 miles.
Strangely I had some discomfort in The Knee while on the run. But it wasn't enough to slow me down too much. It was weird, though, and a little cause for concern. I tried some high-steps to stretch things out but that seemed to aggravate it a little, and I wasn't sure if that was due to friction with the new tights I previously referenced or with The Knee itself. Also in the strange category: it doesn't hurt when I'm not running.
This was a 20-mile week. It's nice to be back up to that plateau, which hopefully I can hold. As always it depends on The Knee.
Strangely I had some discomfort in The Knee while on the run. But it wasn't enough to slow me down too much. It was weird, though, and a little cause for concern. I tried some high-steps to stretch things out but that seemed to aggravate it a little, and I wasn't sure if that was due to friction with the new tights I previously referenced or with The Knee itself. Also in the strange category: it doesn't hurt when I'm not running.
This was a 20-mile week. It's nice to be back up to that plateau, which hopefully I can hold. As always it depends on The Knee.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Nice Evening
It was a actually a nice evening for running. The temperature was in the 30's, but the wind was almost nonexistent. The Wife wussed out and didn't go with me today, so I ran 6 miles by myself. It's amazing what a little bit of good music will do. I was in a somewhat cranky mood from work, but I pulled up Old 97's on my iPod and listened to them for a good hour. And it was definitely a good hour. I started with their first album and then finished with all of their most recent. I love me some Old 97's.
I dressed in layers again, which is probably why it wasn't so bad as far as the temperature goes. I wore both my ear warmer and stocking cap, gloves, and three layers of shirts. The lined pants again kept my lower half warm. I found some tights yesterday at Target. Once those have been washed I can go back to my more stylish black Reebok pants. Some days, like today, it's not about the fashion. It's about staying comfortable.
I dressed in layers again, which is probably why it wasn't so bad as far as the temperature goes. I wore both my ear warmer and stocking cap, gloves, and three layers of shirts. The lined pants again kept my lower half warm. I found some tights yesterday at Target. Once those have been washed I can go back to my more stylish black Reebok pants. Some days, like today, it's not about the fashion. It's about staying comfortable.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Rats
Back to the treadmill today. The cold rain and cooler temperature pretty much forced my hand. I ran 6 miles and three NewsRadio episodes on this one. It'd be nice to get back outside but I'm not sure this is going to be the week for that with more rain in the forecast.
The past two days have not gone well nutrition-wise. I blame the buffets. Yesterday was Godfather's with The Boy and today was the Ameristar lunch buffet with my employees. As much as that one costs you kind of feel like you have to get your money's worth. Which I definitely did. And if I'd run 20 miles today then I might have come out even, but I'm not running that far on the treadmill unless I absolutely have to and have a couple of movies I can watch while doing so.
The past two days have not gone well nutrition-wise. I blame the buffets. Yesterday was Godfather's with The Boy and today was the Ameristar lunch buffet with my employees. As much as that one costs you kind of feel like you have to get your money's worth. Which I definitely did. And if I'd run 20 miles today then I might have come out even, but I'm not running that far on the treadmill unless I absolutely have to and have a couple of movies I can watch while doing so.
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