Running to the year's end 12/16 - 12/31

[Veronica]

I had an awesome run with Thom this morning. 41 degrees out at 4:45. We actually got to see the stars - it's been rainy and overcast for awhile here.

10:09 average pace for 3 miles. I'm thrilled to be finding my running place again after all my quadriceps issues last year.

I've made my monthly running goal the last two months and I'm on track for three in a row. It's not a very lofty goal, but it's more miles than I have run on a regular basis in more than year. I don't start officially training for my HIM until mid March and if I can keep running like I have been I should have a really good base when I start training for real. I go up in age group next year and I'd really like to do well. :D

Veronica

[HillSlugger]

I did my last run yesterday before Saturday's Celtic Solstice 5 miler. At 6:30am it was 16F with winds up to 20mph! :eek: At least on Saturday it should be in the 30's. Hoping to go under 50 minutes.

[sfa]

Two runs this week (also training for Celtic Solstice)--one five mile run outside on Monday in 26 degree temps with 30 mph gusts of wind. After the three mile mark it started snowing, and I just laughed, figuring if I could make it through that run, Saturday should be easy (with similar temps but no wind or snow predicted). I finished in 50:05, but I had multiple short rests while waiting for traffic lights (not included in the time--I paused my watch) so I hope I can maintain that pace without the rests on Saturday.

Wednesday was just a three mile treadmill run, same pace.

I had a nice anxiety dream last night about getting to the start of the race. It involved driving through lava beds to get there, then arriving and discovering that I hadn't brought warm running clothes and only had shorts, black loafers, and a bell-sleeved shirt to wear. Very odd. Even in my dream, while my subconscious fretted, my logical brain was saying "suck it up and get going, you pansy!"

Sarah

[skhill]

Back to the treadmill yet again. It's plenty warm enough to run outside (upper 20's) but when I took my dog out for his first pee of the morning we were slipping and sliding on the ice. So it was 7 very very dull miles on the treadmill...

Good luck in the Celtic Solstice, y'all!

[Crankin]

It's a gorgeous day outside, sunny and 33. I was supposed to ride with Hirakukibou this afternoon, but she had to cancel, so I decided to run instead. Not sure why, but my left hamstring started screaming. This always seems to happen after I've done a harder run on the treadmill. Perhaps I didn't stretch enough Wednesday or maybe it's all of the new yoga stuff I've been doing. I ended up doing a measly 2.2 miles and limping up my driveway. It feels better after doing a 10 minute stretching DVD segment and showering. Here's hoping it won't interfere with riding tomorrow.

[GLC1968]

Just finished a lunch time run to make up for missing my run last night. I'm glad I waited. Sun and 40F at lunch is way better than the dreadmill in the basement!

Unfortunately, despite the weather, I was not enjoying myself. It felt hard and everything was sluggish. Overall pace was normal so I guess it's just perception. Here's hoping tomorrows run is a bit more enjoyable...

[indigoiis]

After a week off with a sinus infection (Bah!) I ran a hilly but relaxed 3.2 Thursday, took Friday off and ran 3.1 today at a much-more-like-me pace. Tomorrow I will do a long run of say 8 miles (at least that's what's on my mind - I haven't decided on what route yet.)

I'm still coughing. It sucks! But the runs themselves have been fine.

[Crankin]

Hamstring still hurting today, when I did my Cyclo-Core stuff on the trainer. Grrr. Thankfully, the drills today were not in a big gear.
I was supposed to run tomorrow, outside and I don't want to chance it. It doesn't hurt when walking, though. Monday is a rest day.
What else can I do, besides stretch and rest? I don't like to take Advil, since it really hurts my stomach, and I am not in pain, until I start to run. I wore my compression tights this morning for 3 hours and it seemed to help some.

[HillSlugger]

I had a great race! My goal was under 50 minutes/under a 10mm pace; I finished in 48:10 (5.11 miles)/9:25 pace. All I can say is WOW! It was hard, it was fun, it was satisfying.

Regina (7Rider) looked great and hit her goal, too. Sarah, sorry we didn't meet.

I'll post a few pictures shortly.

[HillSlugger]

Three pictures: me crossing, Regina crossing, our friend (and relay triathlon teammie) Jenny crossing:

[7rider]

Wow! I am such a data nerd. There I am....fiddling with my Garmin as I cross the line. :rolleyes: And just like pictures of me on the bike...I always look like I'm in pain when I do these events!!

Yeah, I was pretty stoked. I exceeded my goal for the race and came in under 11 minutes per mile. I felt fast (okay...all things are relative!), and the course was not as hilly as I feared - or trained for - so it seemed a whole lot easier than I expected. But good grief....that last mile and a half around the lake seemed to take FOREVER! :eek: I watched that line of runners stretch out in front of me like a big, running, snake. I thought it wouldn't end.

Pretty amazing day, tho', I have to say. Thanks for the pix, Nicole! You rocked!

[HillSlugger]

Here's one more of our group (yeah, it was cold waiting to start!):

[sfa]

I had a great run today too, and hit my goal (under 50 was my goal--I finished in 49:36 so I just made it in). I kept looking for someone in high viz yellow with the 1365 number, but no luck--it was way too crowded out there. I did manage to run across the president of the college where I work four times (!)--passing in the first mile, seeing her going one direction after I had turned around, while waiting for a friend at the finish, and then again in the tent after the race. She was the one person I hoped I didn't run into (I like her, but it's one of those awkward situations where you have to be social with someone you normally only speak to in fairly formal settings). And I felt bad for the friend I came with--she was having serious problems with her calf and ended up walking most of the way, but insisted on finishing.

And yeah, what was it with the lake? It doesn't look that big on the map, but it just went on and on.

[indigoiis]

Congrats all you Marylanders on your race! Whoo hoo!

I ran ten today with the Mister at 9:30, felt great. Was coughing a bit coming inside and so put my head over a hot cup of peppermint tea and it soothed it right away.

Riding tomorrow, Dr. appt. Tuesday, running again on Wednesday. This is week 3 of training for the Hyannis half.

[Bike Chick]

Congrats to you all on your race! Looks like it was a bit brrrrrrrrisk out there!

I've only tried to run once since the Memphis HM December 4 and my foot and ankle are still very sore so I'm on the eliptical and the bike for a couple more weeks trying to heal. I've got to do something.......these Christmas cookies are killing me!

[OakLeaf]

Wow, great job all of you Solstice racers!

7rider, you're SUPPOSED to hit your stop button when you cross the line. :D

My head and body are still spinning from the travel and disorientation, and I have a lot get done today. But accountability post: I WILL run this afternoon. Just a short one and not too hard, but I will run.

[Crankin]

I was good and stuck to my plan of not running yesterday. I did do a 3.6 mile hilly hike. Since I was wearing my trail running shoes and not my full hiking boots, I did break out in a little run twice, for about 2 minutes each. Hip and hamstring feel much better this morning. I think I aggravated the hamstring by wearing my wedge heeled Uggs on Sat. night. Even though I was just at home, with friends, I guess it put enough strain on the hamstring to tweak it even more.
I will run either tomorrow or Wednesday, depending on how it feels.

[GLC1968]

Great job, you guys! I looks just frigid at the start. I hope you all managed to warm up enough during the run!

I ran with my husband on Saturday. Our normal route is still flooded, so we did an out and back equaling 4.5 miles. I felt MUCH better than I did the day before even though the weather was worse and I was on less rest. Go figure.

Today I've got 4 miles on the plan. If its downpouring at lunch, I'll do it on the treadmill tonight. We'll see.

After today, I'm off for the next 7 days, too...so I expect lots of nice daylight runs. I'm particularly excited about the three that I'll be doing while in Tampa! :D

[OakLeaf]

I'm so glad I posted earlier or I might have blown it off ...

Just a quick not quite four miles. My whole body felt like lead, but I really needed the run.

Now to work on my 5K pace. The very first sanctioned competition on the new pavement at Daytona Speedway will be the 5K at the end of January. :D I'm really excited about that and hoping to set a new PR.

[colby]

Just ran a couple of miles this morning after shoveling snow - I underestimated the shoveling time and had to cut the run short. It was a pretty nice day. I went swimming last week and might have ran once or twice more, but mostly have been busy with holiday stuff. I believe next week my Ironman training starts. ;)

PS: Love the race photos! :D

[skhill]

I ran outside for the first time in over a week today-- hooray! Yesterday's warmth and last night's inch of snow have turned the ice that's covered sidewalks and side streets for the past week into slush. Pretty crappy running conditions, actually, but a lot better than it's been. So, it was a slow, cautious 3 miles, and it felt great...

Happy solstice!

[limewave]

Time Trial (I guess . . . ) 6.5 mile loop.

Bear Lake Loop
2/28 10:03/m
3/14 10:10/m
4/20 10:20/m
6/6 9:49/m
8/8 9:51/m
9/9 9:14/m
10/8 8:58/m
11/28 8:51/m
12/19 8:21/m

[HillSlugger]

Time Trial (I guess . . . ) 6.5 mile loop.

Bear Lake Loop
2/28 10:03/m
3/14 10:10/m
4/20 10:20/m
6/6 9:49/m
8/8 9:51/m
9/9 9:14/m
10/8 8:58/m
11/28 8:51/m
12/19 8:21/m

Great improvement! Congrats!

[Veronica]

We're leaving DC today. Other than to and from the airport, we have walked everywhere! Somewhere between 20 and 25 miles on our feet. Plus using the treadmill in the hotel gym. :p

We walked over to the Vietnam and Lincoln Memorials very early yesterday morning before going to American History when they opened. It was beautiful, if a bit cold.

Veronica

[limewave]

Great improvement! Congrats!

I really, really, really, want to break that 8 min mile barrier.

[7rider]

I really, really, really, want to break that 8 min mile barrier.

You are well on your way to doing it. Awesome!! :)

[kmehrzad]

We're leaving DC today. Other than to and from the airport, we have walked everywhere! Somewhere between 20 and 25 miles on our feet. Plus using the treadmill in the hotel gym. :p

We walked over to the Vietnam and Lincoln Memorials very early yesterday morning before going to American History when they opened. It was beautiful, if a bit cold.

Veronica

Glad you and Thom enjoyed the city and were able to do so much walking. We've had reasonably good weather since you've been here, so consider yourself fortunate.

Enjoy the rest of your holiday ...

Kathy

[Bike Chick]

It's been 3 weeks since the half-marathon and the tendonitis isn't a lot better but I couldn't stand it anymore. I woke up yesterday morning craving a run, then the snow started falling so I laced the shoes up and did 2 miles. It felt great and was so awesome running in the snow on Christmas Eve!

[Crankin]

I had my first decent run outside in a week, after one failed run and a couple of walks. Three and a quarter miles. Groin and quads are fine and I felt pretty good all over. However, my right knee is giving me fits. This is not running caused, but a combination of wearing my wedge heeled boots, a house with 4 stories, and then running up and down big hills. I have my knee thing-y on today, which usually solves it.
I have a feeling any running I might be doing this week will be on the TM. The storm is a-coming, so I will be nordic skiing.

[indigoiis]

I ran 11 slowish (due to the snow on the roads making it slippy) miles today, felt good. I had a good week overall mileage wise 3.8 / 4 and 5 mile runs before today's 11 miler. Beat the blizzard by only a few minutes - well, more like, we ran for the start of the blizzard and it got progressively worse.

I am at week 4 for half training for a half in feb. Next weekend I'm running the Bristol Hangover classic 5 miler.

[Susan Otcenas]

Once I got all my dinner prep work completed, I managed to find time for a 6.6 mile run on Christmas Day around 1pm. Streets were deserted. Saw a few other runners and walkers, a couple cyclists, and few cars. I felt kinda sad for the folks in cars waiting on the drive-thru line at the Jack-in-the-Box. Felt very grateful to have a house full of delicious food just waiting on a house full of friends to arrive to share it with me. I don't personally celebrate any religion, but I love using the holidays that occur at this time of year to share meals and togetherness with my friends and family.

Having the chance to get our for a run on such a special day allowed me to reflect on how lucky I am to be surrounded by so many wonderful people.

I hope everyone had a wonderful and restful holiday weekend.

Susan

[Veronica]

We got in a Christmas day run too. 3 miles in Maine - 27 degrees. I now cannot use, "It's too cold," as an excuse at home.

Veronica

[7rider]

3 miles in Maine - 27 degrees. I now cannot use, "It's too cold," as an excuse at home.


Is that 27 degrees, or MINUS 27??? :confused:
Cuz if it's the latter (even wind chill), I bow down....

I've been sick since the Celtic Solstice and today was the FIRST time I broke into a run since. And it was only 30 minutes on the treadmill. :(
I have been a total load all week. Blech.

[skhill]

I finally asked for a mp3 player for Christmas, so I've joined the ranks of the ear-budded! Sure makes these runs on the treadmill less dreadful... Monday was 6 miles, today 5, and I almost enjoyed it, thanks to the tunes. But I'm not planning on running outside with it; walking the dog while wearing it yesterday was disconcerting enough.

And oh how I'm looking forward to a morning that's as warm as 27 again! Assuming there's not too much ice or too much wind, that's fantastic running conditions!

[Veronica]

Regular old 27 degrees. :D

Did 5 miles on the treadmill today after we checked in at the Hilton in Boston. We were suppose to fly home on Monday, but had to reschedule for Wednesday.

The Hilton has fantastic gym facilities. All sorts of cardio machines, a full range of weight machines, a room full of free weights and a Bosu ball!

The lap pool is 40 feet long, so a bit short, especially if you're doing flip turns. But far better than many pools at hotels.

Veronica

[Crankin]

Hey, I would have come into town to visit...
Hope your visit to Maine was fun.

[OakLeaf]

First attempt at a run since my crash ...

I just did about 2-1/4 today and it felt pretty good. My chest/abdominal wall is still a little sore to the touch but it didn't bother me running at all, so that's good. My sprained hand hurt a little bit. It was chilly so I wore gloves, but it's supposed to warm up later in the week, and when it does, I think I'll tape my fingers together for running until they're healed up a bit more.

I've had a raging headache for the last two days. It's obviously coming from my neck, but I don't know why it didn't start until yesterday. I was hoping a little run would help, but it didn't. I've got an appointment for a massage tomorrow, so hopefully that will work it out.

[GLC1968]

I did two runs while in FL but failed to 'report' on them here.

The first 5 mile run was just down the roads/sidewalk near my parents house. It was nice to be running in the sunshine and 70F weather, but there was no shade and it was a VERY boring route. I did enjoy the different smells of the place though (FL smells VERY different from the PNW).

My second 5 miler was on the Pinellas Trail. We drove around the corner, parked behind a Subway (on Christmas day - so it was closed) and hit the trail. It's a rail-trail (paved) that runs most of the length of Pinellas County (many miles). This worked out well since I wanted to run 5 miles and my H only 3. He just stopped and walked at 1.5 miles while I kept going. When I got to 2.6 miles, I turned around and eventually met up with him again. It was hotter (maybe 75F?) but there was plenty of shade and things to look at (including a primate rescue!) so I really enjoyed it. There were LOTS of people out on the trail as well which surprised me for Christmas Day.

I now have a bikers tan on my legs from just two 5 mile runs in FL!! My pasty white PNW skin just couldn't handle the measly 2 hours of winter Florida sun. Pathetic. ;)

[Veronica]

Hey, I would have come into town to visit...
Hope your visit to Maine was fun.

The Boston portion was not part of our regular plan. We were suppose to fly home on Dec. 27. Sunday we decided the blizzard was a for sure thing and we rescheduled our flight to today. It's a mid morning flight and we decided we'd rather drive to Boston in the afternoon the day before - less stress. :)

Veronica

[indigoiis]

I ran four in the neighborhood yesterday on slippery back roads, so it really slowed us down. Today we went up to this big cemetery with plowed roads through it and ran the big loop, .8 miles, 5 times. It was gusty and weird, but at least there were no cars and no slick roads.

This is week 1 of marathon training if I run the Cox marathon in May. I am definitely running Hyannis half in February.

[OakLeaf]

I set out for four and a half, but wound up with only 3.8 before I gave up and walked most of the rest of the way back.

Taping my fingers together worked just fine, but the HR strap was really irritating the spot between my ribs, and my neck and back are still a little bit tweaked (although the massage yesterday did me a world of good and the headache is gone). Between that, my general lack of conditioning and running in much higher temperatures and crazy humidity, I was just a little too ambitious today. I'll have to go without HR for a while and just rely on perceived exertion - unfortunately, since my HR was just through the roof today.

Slowly but surely. May have to give up on the idea of a 5K PR at the end of January...

[limewave]

2 miles with three accerlation strides.

[skhill]

First run of marathon training today! Only 8 miles, but my mileage has been way down in Dec., thanks to the crappy weather, so I'm starting where I am. It was so warm that I was bareheaded and in shorts!

Next step in marathon prep: decide which one, and register. It's either Louisville or Cincinnati, and they're the same weekend, Apr 30/ May 1.

Happy 2011, everyone!

[HillSlugger]

I finished the year with a run this morning. I ended the year with 233 miles, far less than I would have liked, but since I started the year rehabbing from an Achilles heel problem and I finished the year healthy, feeling strong, and without any further injuries, I have to consider it a good running year.

[Veronica]

Last run of the year for me too. Third month in a row that I have attained my mileage goal. :)

Veronica