January Running: starting the New Year on the right (and left) foot

[katluvr]

So I missed running the 2nd half of December, but made it out today for 3.4 miles. Just a little jaunt to get in the groove again. Warm and mostly sunny today, very nice day after many gloomy wet days, but cold front dipping into FL, my run tomorrow will be a bit chilly (for me).
Happy 2014 running to everyone!

K

[OakLeaf]

Bridge repeats yesterday, ugh. I got a new Forerunner 620 for Christmas (ooh! aaah! more data!), but I'm still figuring it out, so I managed to scr*w up the first repeat. Not the most auspicious start to the New Year, but oh well.

Four easy miles plus drills today. Tomorrow I get a day off and oh man am I feeling like I need it.

[Catrin]

Sounds like a great start, both of you!

[TrekDianna]

I decided that as a resolution, I would challenge myself to at least one mile per day for the month of January. So far so good

[katluvr]

So "winter" hit FL. It was in the 40's for my run this AM. I don't dress for running in those temps much so was not sure what to wear. I went out to test the weather in just capris and a long sleeve top. Felt a bit to chilly so added another layer on top. Well that top layer didn't last til mile 2! I did 6 miles, a bit of a stretch on mileage since I have not been running for a few weeks. But I did it! I have a 10 K and 5 K on the 18th, so I felt I better get the distance in. I big kudos to all you that run in the cold temps (much colder than this) all the time! And for those of you that bike in this temperature. My friends are bailing on me for biking tomorrow AM since it will be 40s and windy again!

K

[skhill]

My first run of the new year was on the 2nd, on the treadmill. Too cold. Today I was planning on going back to the treadmill, but I decided it'd be too cold for even that. 5F, can you believe it? The roads looked slick so I went back to a warm bed instead.

And it's supposed to be even colder next Monday and Tuesday mornings. Brrrr So I'm definitely running tomorrow, even if it's a Saturday on the treadmill.

[Catrin]

Resting is hard even when we KNOW we should do it! Wishing all the best for everyone with injuries and illnesses right now, hang in there.

I am having a small problem with one of my hamstrings complaining when I start running. I don't push it to hard, and it is up high, near the insertion point. This is NOT the same hamstring I injured a gew years back that some will remember. It is more of an ache rather than pain, and I do stop when I see it is settling in for the duration. I suspect tight muscles as the underlying culprit. Anyone have this problem and found a solution? I do have a two 5K off-road events coming but not until May.

[emily_in_nc]

I have been getting back to a little treadmill running this month since we're staying in a complex with a gym. I haven't run indoors or out for over a year, so I'm taking it slowly. Today I did 3.5 miles total, 1.5 of that was running at a slow 11-minute mile pace, and the rest walking on a slight incline. It was nice to do that after a 40-mile ride yesterday and have nothing hurt!

[katluvr]

First race (technically 2 of them) of 2014 and first race in my new age category (50-54 and darn those women are still fast!). It was chilly, 50 and WINDY but it was sunny. Bad part was 20-25 minute delay due to a motorcycle cop getting hit by a bus on the race route. Weather was fine for running but not for standing around. First race the 10 K. I'm not really up to speed but I did set my sites on a 1:06 time and I did it! 1:06:24 if we must be accurate! Had about 30+ minutes to stretch, walk around and try and stay warm before the 5K. I took this one easy and had no goal set but to finish. Took small walk breaks at each mile. The wind was wicked when it was in your face. So race weekend #1 of the many upcoming races now complete. I'm pretty satisfied today. ITB is a bit angry but it always likes to remind me it's there!

Everyone...hope you get well. Take it slow and easy. As for losing the running bug...I find myself there often and planning races (even short ones just for fun) help.

K

[OakLeaf]

Nice work Kat! Congrats!

Hope the motor cop will be okay. What a thing to happen today when so many of us were out running MegSMiles.

Six mile tempo run, plus warmup and strides for a total of 7.5. I'd been pretty well dreading it after last week, but the weather was SO much cooler, pretty much perfect for running. It was hard but not horrible.

[skhill]

Good job, Kat! There are several blindingly fast women in that age group here, and I'm hoping for a sudden increase in speed in about 7 years now!

It was all of 15F this morning so back to the treadmill. It should have been a long run but I honestly don't have the mental fortitude for that, so just 5 miles. And I learned a valuable lesson: it's good to pack the gym bag the night before, but not good to put it in the car. My shampoo was frozen solid, and shoes and socks were painfully cold to put on.

Maybe I'll run outside tomorrow, if it's as warm as predicted. In hope of staying healthy I'm avoiding running outside in frigid temps. Still have to walk the dog though, and have been bike commuting as long as it's at least 20F.