Winter runs, week of January 17th-23rd

[indigoiis]

Hi all,
I was due to do a "10K fast" today per Hal Higdon 1/2 plan, so since there aren't any races this weekend I decided we'd do a 6.2 loop. Since the first mile is an old dirt road which was not plowed but which quads and 4wd vehicles have been passing I decided to wear the scuba booties, and that worked fine. We did that first mile in 8.5 mm. The next two miles were relatively level with some dropping downs in elevation, so the first 3K was 28 minutes altogether. Overall we averaged 9.15 mms and I was okay with that. The last mile was uphill, 3% grade, I hate that road even on my bike cuz it's just this long, long false flat on this rubbly old rural road. I had trouble catching my breath trying to maintain the pace and although I understand a lot of it was pscyhological, it still feels sucky to not be able to just float. So overall I was happy with it and it was a good run. How bout you all? Anyone race today?

[Grog]

Indigoiis, I have a hard time imagining running in scuba booties! How does it feel? Is it to emulate barefeet?

I did my longest ride in a while. I set out to do 16 km, took a little detour on the way home to stretch it to 17, and I know my Nike sensor is a bit undercalibrated so it feels even better. It was a great run, and it rained only a little. (As opposed to pouring, as we've been having in Vancouver lately.)

I was thinking about what will be my longest run prior to the marathon - 38 km, which means more than double what I ran today - and although it felt a bit strange, it didn't sound too too crazy. I think I've stepped on the dark side!

[fatbottomedgurl]

I'm in the Sierras this weekend and had my first chance to run in cold weather- well, only 38º but that's cold for me! I did about 4 miles on some quiet roads in the woods. At first I tried going down an unplowed road but hit some ice and my feet flew out from under me so I decided that was a bad idea! Elevation here is 9,000 feet but I didn't notice it too much except on the 23º grade coming back up to the cabin. It felt sooo good! Beautiful scenery, I came across some deer, got to wear my ibex wool longsleeve (I love merino) and cushy wool socks. I am starting to like running. Yay!

[Aggie_Ama]

indigoiis- I can imagine running on rural roads in scuba booties. I get frustrated not being lighter on my strides, especially when I see lithe runners at the trail that look like they float effortlessly.

Grog- I thought you were just coming back from injury and then I calculated your run in miles, guess you are back in the game!

fbg- I am just jealous!

Me? I did a 7 mile run. The weather is fantastic this weekend in Texas but I was fatigued so just an okay run. I am glad I pushed and went though.

Did discover that just because cycling knickers felt good on a short run, you really should wear running apparel! I haven't had the time to go shopping but after some odd chaffing I guess I need to do it! Leg grippers and even minimal chamois are not meant for running.

[Grog]

Grog- I thought you were just coming back from injury and then I calculated your run in miles, guess you are back in the game!

I'd rather run in kilometers than miles, it feels like I'm running further.

Sounds like your weather would allow you to wear light running shorts. Go for it! It's so liberating.

[skhill]

In honor of MLK day, I ran the length of my city's MLK Boulevard this morning, both ways. I run and ride that road going south regularly, but not going north, and now I remember why: heading north, there's a really steep one-block long downhill, followed by nearly 5 blocks steady uphill. Yuck. In all, it was 3.5 miles, none of it flat...

It's less than 10 weeks till my first half-marathon! Woohoo!