Decembrrrrr!

[yellow]

OK, no one has started a December thread?

After really battling with the cold last year, I seem to be doing better so far this season. I had two runs earlier this week when it was in the mid-teens and a run in the low 20s yesterday that had me feeling like it was a heatwave--I even had to take my jacket off. The trails are all in beautiful shape--packed, cold, dry snow--so the trail running has been really nice. Slow (because it is still like running in sand), but beautiful.

I seem to be doing better regulating my temp this year. Not sure what is different. I'm a little bit chunkier but not that much chunkier :p

Happy running, all, whether it be out in the big world or on the dreadmill!

[skhill]

Early in the week it was warm here, so warm that I was running in shorts! But I haven't run since Wednesday, due to a combination of oversleeping and really crappy weather. If it's as rainy tomorrow as forecast, I'll head to the treadmill. I've already packed my bag. I will do it I will do it I will do it..... (dreading the dreadmill)

[GLC1968]

I don't think it left the 20's at home today, but I'm actually in FL this weekend...and stuck here for an extra day because American cancelled my flight. Luckily, I'm staying with my parents, so it's not too much of a hardship (even though I miss my husband, dogs and home and I fly home at a *really* sucky time Monday night).

Anyway, I did my 10 mile training run today. Totally flat, certainly hotter than I'm used to (84F), but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Sunny, not unbearably humid, and a virtually traffic-free route. Yay! I actually nailed my target pace overall even with a couple of 'wilty' miles when there was no shade. I also saw a large turtle on the side of the trail, too.

Half-marathon (shooting for a PR) is next Sunday. Can't wait...I think I'm ready!!

[skhill]

No treadmill for me today, hooray! No rain, just mist this morning, and it'd been warm enough over night that the sidewalks were almost entirely ice-free. 4.5 miles, and I was surprised not to see other runners out there. The next few mornings look to be a lot colder (and possibly snowy too).

[TrekDianna]

I don't think it left the 20's at home today, but I'm actually in FL this weekend...and stuck here for an extra day because American cancelled my flight. Luckily, I'm staying with my parents, so it's not too much of a hardship (even though I miss my husband, dogs and home and I fly home at a *really* sucky time Monday night).



I've been in San Diego running barefoot on the beach and with shoes on the boardwalk -- weather at home in the Willamette Valley is hovering around 0. Portland apparently is warmer than the valley. We have lots of snow also. I am not looking forward to getting back home after dark tonight on the snowy, icy roads either.

[OakLeaf]

Hee hee ... Sounds like more of us are trying to adapt to heat, than living up to the thread title! Well since I accidentally posted Saturday's race to the November thread, I'll chime in. I'm officially starting my training plan in a week, so right now I'm just trying to adapt to the heat and claw some fitness back from the long layoff. My foot is still hanging in there, which of course is great, but it's just one more example of how clueless doctors are. :mad: If he'd listened to my history and told me a month ago to roll my calf out super deep, like I finally figured out for myself, I'd have been back in business without losing so much fitness.

Anyway I did 7.5 today and omg am I out of shape, but hopefully it will come back quick. It's always hard this time of year trying to figure out my sodium intake, when I'm suddenly living and running in heat and humidity with no acclimation. Right now the salt shaker and the tubes of Nuun U Naturals are my two best friends.

[rocknrollgirl]

I got out twice last week, neither run that noteworthy, just putting one foot in front of the other. It is supposed to snow today so I am hoping to get out for a snow run ( which I love) later today. I went down hard on my mt bike on Sunday and I am pretty sore, no joints just all soft tissue, so hopefully that will not be an issue.

[rocknrollgirl]

We got out for an hour run yesterday on the rail trail. It was nice, big fat flakes coming down, nice and quiet.

[yellow]

We got out for an hour run yesterday on the rail trail. It was nice, big fat flakes coming down, nice and quiet.

:D Embrace winter!

We've gotten a couple of slugs of snow over the last week so the trails are now officially awesome. A little packed, not icy, and squeaky-cold with good traction. I've been going out after work (with a headlamp since the damn sun sets at 5) and have had the trails to myself. The cold is forcing the megafauna down into the canyon so I've been seeing lots of deer, elk, and coyotes. I think a moose is in my future.

Off to Vegas for a work conference for the rest of the week. Not sure if I will get to run while there :(

[Crankin]

I am having some dental surgery today and I am not supposed to exercise for a week. Not sure if I can do that. But what scares me, is that I am pissed I won't be able to run this weekend!
Is this a sign?
I already did a hard interval workout on the trainer and yoga. I will give myself until Saturday for real rest and I may have to walk on the TM. Snow is predicted for Saturday and there is a good chance there may be some nordic skiing around on Sunday. I probably shouldn't do that, but...

[skhill]

Crankin isn't skiing isn't exercising, it's playing in the snow, right?

It was the treadmill for me today as it was 20F outside. OK, that's not all that cold but I just couldn't face it. Only did 3 miles and it was kinda freaky that I was the only one in the room when I started at 6:15 am. Folks started flowing in around 6:30. It'll likely be the treadmill again tomorrow as we have a low of about 12 or so predicted. Or it may be an extra cup of coffee in my pjs on the couch...

[Crankin]

Ha, ha. I am back from the surgery and my sentence is only 3 days, not a week. So I am good to go on Sunday.
Yeah, it's going to be 12 here tomorrow morning, too. Happy for a rest day or two.

[GLC1968]

Ran my half marathon yesterday. It went well! It was a tad chilly and dreary, but considering the calendar date, it could have been so much worse that I won't complain. I executed my plan as well as possible - official time was 2:11:38 (10:02 min/mile). The target time on my training plan was 2:12:42, so I beat it. My Garmin had me at a 9:59 min/mile because it said the course was slightly long and I like that better since it starts with a 9 and not a 10!!

Overall, I'm pleased. I'm only slightly stiff today and my foot is a little bit achey. 2:11 is a PR by 4 minutes and my previous time was obtained prior to my injury/surgery. :) I like that progress!!

My goal for the next one is a 9:something min/mile. Now I just have to choose the race...

[OakLeaf]

Very nice GLC!! Congrats!

I'm starting my training plan this week. For as fast as my coach thinks I can run Boston, he's starting me off awfully slow. Which I kind of need to right now, considering my foot isn't 100%. So I don't need to be scared to death of the work ... yet. :eek:

Ten today, the weather was much cooler and drier, an absolutely beautiful day for a run, and it showed in my pace. :)

[Catrin]

I am afraid my running went away when the weather got cold - so I won't be doing the Jan 25 night trail quarter marathon I was considering...and with cold-air induced asthma that was likely a wise choice. We've been doing a rowing challenge at my gym, but it ends in another week. Time to start ramping the running back up when the challenge ends! I do want to be ready for the Dirty Girl Mud Race in May, and want to hit the trails as early as possible this year. It would be nice if I didn't have to start all the way back at square one when I do that.

Congratulations GLC, sounds great! Oak, that sounds good as well, especially about not needing to be scared of the work :)

[Crankin]

Congrats, GLC! So glad your foot is holding up.
Oak, I know you will follow your training plan and run as fast as your coach thinks you can. I wish had the diligence to follow a plan, but I know what happens when I try!
So, today is the first day my mouth hasn't hurt like hell and am starting to think about running. Of course, now there is snow everywhere and I see a lot of runners putting themselves in precarious positions on the narrow country roads that are even narrower. And, it was 4 degrees when I left for work this morning. Anyway, I hate the treadmill, but it is supposed to be warmer, with rain washing away the snow on Friday and Saturday, so maybe a run is in the future. Getting another ski in tomorrow, though.

[Catrin]

Crankin, that just plain sounds COLD, I don't blame you at all! It is supposed to reach 50 here this weekend...with rain :(

[yellow]

Congrats, GLC. Nicely done!

[skhill]

Nice job, GLC!

I've run in 4F before and never again... that's what the treadmill is there for.

And today was a treadmill day, not so much for the temp but for the wind. I set out for a 4 mile tempo run (because there's a 35 minute hard time limit on the treadmills) but I was getting really light-headed approaching 3 miles so I stopped. Don't know if it was the warmth of the room or not eating anything beforehand, but I'm going to be sure to eat and drink better next time. Still, 3 miles in 25 minutes even, I'll take it!

[skhill]

Not so brrrr today, we're having a very warm spell. It was 52F (with a 15mph wind) when I set out at 6 a.m.! Shorts and a very light long-sleeved shirt, with bare head and hands, oh my. But there was rain approaching, so I kept it shorter than I had intended and just did 5 miles. Timed it well, as the rain started about 10 minutes after I got home, just in time for the dog's walk. But it's a lot easier to manage an umbrella while walking a dog than while running.

[Catrin]

Sounds like fun skhill! It is 57 here today...and rainy. It will be around dark before I get home so no running for me today. Hopefully I can get some in this weekend but we will see. I want to do SOMETHING outside!

[Crankin]

I ran today, for the first time in 3 weeks, 3 miles. Had to walk a bit more than last time, as my hip was cranky from my snow shoe yesterday, but I felt good. Stretched before and after.
It was about 55. I wanted to ride, but the thought of narrow roads, with melting snow, and crazed Christmas shoppers out stopped me. And I was dressed right, for once.

[yellow]

LOL, it was 24 when I went on my run yesterday afternoon and it felt warm to me. It's quite a change from the last couple of weeks (I think the warmest it's been in the morning is 18F). I can't fathom 50-something :p

Nice but tough run yesterday. About 4" of fresh, unconsolidated snow on top of old, crusty snow on the trail. I was happy I had my microspikes in my bag (normally I don't really need/want them). I was pretty wiped after that. I opted for the dreadmill today, first time in a couple of years, I think. Man, that is one painful way to run. I'd forgottten how awful it is! More power to those of you who do that on a regular basis.

[OakLeaf]

Record high today - 78°, 75% humidity and 20 mph wind straight up the beach, and for some reason they decided to run the annual out-and-back 5K in the afternoon this year. :confused:

25:44, which considering the wind, the heat and humidity, the sand surface (hard packed, but still a lot less resilient than asphalt) not to mention the fact that my legs were trashed from morning yoga, I'll take it. Plus I jogged out another 1.5 or so since I had 4.5 total in my training plan - coach knew I was doing the 5K today but forgot to pencil it in.

We are supposed to have every kind of weather known to humanity in the next four days at my MIL's. I'm bringing a variety of running clothes but not sure what I'll have time for. We'll see. I can't wait for the holiday season to be over.

[yellow]

After my tough but good run on Friday, an interminable hour on the treadmill on Saturday, and what felt like the hardest skate ski I've ever done yesterday, I woke up with a cold this AM. I think the ski wasn't all that bad, but I was starting to come down with this thing, whatever it is. True, I was trying to keep up with a friend who is training for a big XC ski race, but, still, I usually don't have that much trouble shadowing her. Every time she threw down the V2 on the uphill I thought I was going to die.

We'll see how I feel tonight before I decide if I am going to run (outside--no thanks on the dreadmill). I often feel better if I run when I am sick. It's never a blistering pace, but it helps clear the crud.

[rocknrollgirl]

Hi all. I am currently on vaca in the mountains in the NE. We came up Saturday to XC ski and hike and got hit with the ice storm. So we have mostly been out just walking. It made me a bit nutty at first but as long as I can get out and move I will be ok and not get cabin fever. The temps are supposed to really drop today and the high tomorrow is supposed to be 6. So we will get out the crampons and ice axes and go hike. Crazy weather.

[skhill]

If I'm a little congested an easy run does help clear things too, usually.

My 5 miles was much faster than usual today, due to some homicidal drivers out on the road. After the first near miss, my pace kicked up from 8:50/mile to 8:30; after the second, it dropped to 8:00 for the final 2 miles. (A brisk tailwind probably contributed too). Really, is it so hard to stop for red lights?

[GLC1968]

I didn't do much running last week but I'm OK with that. I'm calling it a 'rest' week. ;-)

I did 6 miles on Saturday because the weather was nice and I felt like going out. Sunday I managed another mile total on the treadmill as warm up and cool down for a weight workout. Tomorrow, my training plan for my next half (April) officially starts with a 3 mile run.

We are due for over a week of unseasonably dry weather starting tomorrow, so I'm kind of excited!

[OakLeaf]

Nine miles in chilly pouring rain, poor visibility, on narrow busy roads with no shoulder, and that was by FAR the best part of my day. Is Christmas over yet?

[rocknrollgirl]

Got out for a hike yesterday. I think it was abiut 3 degrees when we started out, the high for the day topped at at 12 or so. We had a great hike, tough but good. There was a section of trail that gained 1000 vertical feet in just 1/2 mile. It was solid ice. frozen river of ice. Tough goinging. We needed full 12 point crampons. My hubs even had to rig a belay to get me up and over one section. Good times.

This morning it is -8. As soon as it warms up a litlle, we will heaad out for today's hike. I will try and post up some pics. I am on a tablet and have not tried it before.

[rocknrollgirl]

16850


Yesterday's hike.


Not sure what I just did, but at least you can see the ice!

[bluejellybean]

I had the most peaceful Christmas Day long road run...very little traffic, mild weather, not a care in the world...I wish every day was Christmas Day! :)

[Crankin]

Where is that, Rock and Roll?

[lph]

Yesterday's hike.
Not sure what I just did, but at least you can see the ice!

Ooee, someone has Grivel crampons! Did you hike up the stream or just cross it?

[GLC1968]

RnR - that looks COLD!! ;-)

I had three easy pace miles on my plan for Christmas eve, so I took my husband with me and we did a trail run in a local park. It was really, really enjoyable. I haven't been in there since the summer and wow, it looks SO different!

On Christmas day, I did my 6 mile run with 4 miles at pace. I was worried it was going to be hard but with the exception of a tight hamstring briefly at one point, it was quite enjoyable. I saw some people in one of the parks playing disk golf but the rest of the route I was totally alone. Weird, but kind of nice! I definitely appreciated the lack of car traffic for the quiet and for my ability to time the lights correctly and not have to stop as much as usual. :-)

I too wish every day was Christmas!

[rocknrollgirl]

That is in the Adirondacks and that ice was the trail for about 1000 vertical feet. I should have put the fulls on as soon as we hit it, but I had microspikes on for the ascent, dumb . I would have been much more comfortable with the fulls. I will try and post up a pic from yesterday. Same conditions except really really cold:) as opposed to just cold.

[rocknrollgirl]

1685516853

These are from yesterday. Great hike. Very cold, lots of ice. Tougher for me than for my hubs. For me to make some of the steps in the ice flows, I had to bring my foot up to chest height. My leg are pooped. The hubs is so tall he make a baby step and I am grunting and swearing behind him, and if you slip and go, you are going for sure. But fun and very challenging. We always summit something on Christmas day. It is our tradition.

[yellow]

Gorgeous, RnR!

I totally get the long-legged hubby thing. It only took mine about 20 years to figure out that yes, it is more difficult to scramble up a giant boulder field when you are 5'3-almost :p

[rocknrollgirl]

And downclimbing is even worse! On our way home today, so back running! We have a mt bike ride scheduled tomorrow and then I am hoping to run on Sunday.

[OakLeaf]

Wow, that ice just looks scary. Beautiful - but I really wouldn't want to do anything other than look at it!

My week:

4.5 miles in 80°, 90% humidity and 20 mph wind, including a 5K race out-and-back directly into the wind and returning with it.
9 miles in 55° and pouring rain
4 miles in 20° and sunshine, small patches of ice but nothing I couldn't avoid
5 miles in 65°, cloudy and 90% humidity

and my therapist still thinks it's pathological for me to be so disoriented .........

[katluvr]

Oakleaf, I'm impressed!
Off running since my b-day and I'm feeling it emotionally. Plus it puts me behind on my training for my next race. Maybe I'll get out there this weekend!

K

[skhill]

Today was one of those runs where it felt like I had a headwind the whole way. Yuck. Just 4 miles. Tomorrow will be better (unless the alarmist version of the weather forecast is accurate and I end up on the treadmill....)

[GLC1968]

skhill - I think I had your perceived headwinds yesterday! I did 10 miles and wow...major suckage. My feet hurt, one hamstring kept getting tight, I was cold (not dressed correctly), the time dragged and I felt like I was running in molasses.

When I got home, I walked in and said 'I guess I need runs like that so that I appreciate the good ones."

[skhill]

The treadmill wasn't so bad this morning. 4 miles and I thought about keeping going but the rowing machine was free (for once) so I did about 15 minutes there to round out the morning.

Looking forward to starting out the new year with an outside run!

[Blueberry]

Run number 3 for me, and the 2nd under the watchful eye of my PT. Working on changing my duck-footed tendencies, which might have caused some of my issues last time I tried this. Seems I have a hip imbalance, and weak adductors (we have been working on abductors and glutes). So - more matt work, but I get to keep running (though for very, very short distances, for now).

[OakLeaf]

Yay Blueberry!!

Hope your PT isn't neglecting your feet ... watchful cueing from my yoga teacher has brought mine most of the way back to health in a matter of days ... obviously hips can't track right if feet are splaying everywhichway. Which reminds me, we didn't do upward facing plank today and that's been one of the most beneficial poses for my foot - better get off the computer and into the pose. :cool:

Eleven yesterday. Bridge repeats in the plan tomorrow. Happy new year to me. :eek:

[Catrin]

Upward facing plank ehh? Sounds like it will be good for me to go look that up, though it is probably what it sounds like. Hopefully my shoulder can take it :) I also have pec issues (both major and minor), and it would likely be good for those as well - as long as it doesn't cause numbness (major thoracic outlet syndrome)

Thankfully my little hamstring tweak appears to be gone, I had walked quickly for 5 minutes the other day before I started running on the trails, I suspect that wasn't enough in 48 degree temps. What do all of you do to warm up before running in cooler temps?

[OakLeaf]

Upward facing plank ehh? Sounds like it will be good for me to go look that up, though it is probably what it sounds like. Hopefully my shoulder can take it :) I also have pec issues (both major and minor), and it would likely be good for those as well - as long as it doesn't cause numbness (major thoracic outlet syndrome)

Thankfully my little hamstring tweak appears to be gone, I had walked quickly for 5 minutes the other day before I started running on the trails, I suspect that wasn't enough in 48 degree temps. What do all of you do to warm up before running in cooler temps?

I warm up in the house as much as possible by marching, goosestepping, carioca. And I still usually wind up overdressing, so I'll plan for that as much as possible - pocket to stow a cap in, zippers, jacket that can be tied around my waist, etc.

Upward facing plank really doesn't put much stress on my shoulders at all. If you can do Table you can do that from an upper body standpoint (and Table is the modification if you can't do it with the lower body). You'll want good hand placement obviously, weight in the metacarpal heads equally, wrists lifted, fingers pointing toward feet and elbows bent - but it's mainly an exercise for the lower legs. The key is to have all four corners of your feet weighted equally. Everything's pretty much the same as Table, except you try to straighten your knees.

(But if you can warm up properly and if you have enough flexibility for upward facing bow aka wheel aka backbend, staying there for a while REALLY helps open up my thoracic outlet. You'd want to have a really good teacher walk you through that one though, if you aren't already doing it.)

[bluejellybean]

Started the New Year off right with a 10km (6 miles) then after watching the warm blooded in the Polar Bear Swim headed on another 11.5 miles (18.5 km). Nice balmy weather on the west coast and looking forward to a great year...Happy New Year to all TE'ers!