Running into the New Year! Week of New Year's.

[michelem]

So, I'm not really starting this thread out correctly (SHOULD be starting it for today, Sunday January 4), but I don't see that a weekly running thread has been started for a couple weeks, so thought I'd do it this way so people can post about their New Year's runs. Hope that's okay!

Anyway, for me, my DH had another week off work before going back tomorrow, so I had more time than usual even though I had to work most of the week. Tuesday, December 30, I did a "Body Sculpting" class at the gym after work. YIKES! I hadn't done any type of weighted workout since the summer (unless you count push-ups). So, my "run" on the treadmill afterward didn't last too long -- just 2.5 miles at 6.3-6.9mph.

New Year's Eve Day, the sun came out in the afternoon, so I left work a little early to do an outdoor run. Did approximately 7 miles on a neighborhood trail. By the time I was heading back home, the fog had rolled back in and it was heading back down into the 30's. BRRRRR! Even though the temp isn't as cold as what some of you are dealing with, the damp fog makes it seem extra cold to me.

That's it for running last week so far. Did a Boot Camp Class at the gym on New Year's Day (more weights!) and then set the bike up on the trainer for indoor rides on the 2nd and 3rd. Oh, did an Interval Step class at the gym on the 3rd as well (actually, just did the weighted intervals as I couldn't get the hang of all the step moves).

Today I am hoping to get back out for another 7-8 miler on the trail if it warms up some! It's in the mid-20's this morning and that's too cold for me for running (yes, I'm a weather weakling).

Hope your New Year's runs are off to a great beginning! I look forward to reading about your adventures.

[Veronica]

I ran to the kitchen to get some apple pie.

Veronica

[Veronica]

I have a light that Thom clips on my back when I run in the morning. I usually wear a wool bike jersey, so he uses the pocket. We got it at a pet food store and it's suppose to go on a leash.

I run in my neighborhood, so I don't worry too much about being seen. Not too many people are out and about at 5 AM. I just watch for back up lights.

The apple pie was really good.

Veronica

[jesvetmed]

Too much pie for me lately!

I tried to run on the 2nd... pulled my left calf muscle about 2/3 of a mile into it. It was on ice, and I'd injured the same area mildy just a week or so earlier doing the same thing - -running on ice and snow. I have a feeling I'll be resting it a lot more than working it this week.

I'm angry now -- I don't think I'll make this 1/2 marathon on the 17th at this rate, and it's my week off this week, so I could have done a lot of running! MAD MAD MAD.

[OakLeaf]

Well I'm glad someone started this thread because I just had the nicest run today!

I blew off the club ride today because I'm trying to train for a 5K in three weeks and I really want to run it at least a minute quicker than I did last year. If I'd have run yesterday as I was supposed to, I'd have ridden today, but after two hard runs and two hard rides in the four days prior, then a Pilates class (mainly for social value, but there was a bit of a workout there) and a GREAT yoga class yesterday morning, I was just sore all over and couldn't motivate to do any cardio.

So I did my "long run" today, and I'm pretty sure it's the first time I ever felt like I could run easy, keep my heart rate down and still be running. Okay, jogging, but it counts as running since it was slow on purpose right? What counts as a "long run" for me was only 10K, but I just can't believe how good it felt.

Intervals on New Year's Day after a social bike club cruise.

One day next week I'm going to finally do that ladder interval workout that's been languishing in my GPS for weeks.

My reflective gear is an Amphipod Xinglet, and if it's cold, a hi-viz yellow PI knit cap (not reflective, but screaming bright).

Syndi & Jes, hope your injuries heal fast.

[alpinerabbit]

I've been running 4 times since Dec. 24th, really good for me considering I'm still cautious - each around 40 minutes, and one really long with a long climb and some running on snow.

Today I had a thai massage, my christmas present to myself. it was amazing.

[yellow]

Ahhh...massage. Apple pie. Nice running. New shoes.

I wish fast healing for those who are injured or not feeling well!!!!!

Lessee...I'm squeezing in some runs but am mostly taking advantage of the snow. I figure classic XC is equivalent to running with an added upper body workout, so I'm substituting that for running when I can. Skate skiing is so different...I think I just need to consider that cross training (FWIW, skate skiing is WAY easier for me than fast and efficient classic skiing as long as I don't mess up on the wax). I ran a few times last week (Mon and Wed on snow, Fri on the dreadmill) and skied Tues, Thurs, Sat, and today. I was going to take a rest day today but it is SO NICE out! Plus it's cold, and I love these bluebird days. I looooove winter!


I'll rest tomorrow! Maybe.

[kacie tri-ing]

12 miles today....but my Disney Marathon is a week from today! AHHHHH! I am super nervous! Think good and tapering type thoughts for me this week. It is hard to imagine a week of 3 mile runs AND going back to work. I might have to get a stress ball :-)

[spindizzy]

Yellow - I'm with you - I too love winter ! Have had an easy month training-wise. Time to get back at it. Had a beautiful short run yesterday - 6.1k in 30 min. Works out to 4:52/km pace...hope I can keep it there. (and maybe improve some....)

[Deborajen]

Did three miles of easy running today. Since the last two days were beautiful (in the 50's) we played golf and walked the course Friday and Saturday, then I used today for running since I get hot no matter what the air temp is.

Kacie - good luck on the marathon next week. And hang in there with the taper. Sounds like you're well prepared - it'll be a fun race!

Deb

[michelem]

Oh! I just love reading everyone's reports.

Syndirelah, Let us know how the new shoes + Superfeet work for you. I had New Balance 767's (a couple models/years down from yours). Without the Superfeet, there was not enough arch posting. With the Superfeet, too much. So, I had to switch out to neutral shoes (rather than motion control) with the Superfeet -- perfect! We're all different though. So, I'm just curious to hear how they work for you.

jesvetmed, I'm sorry to hear of your injury. Try not to be too hard on yourself. If you end up having to do a 1/2 at a later date, remember the training you've already done for this one won't go to waste. And, you'll have more fun if you're not fighting aches and pains. I'm TRYING to respect my body where it's at each day (rather than where I want it to be), but I understand it's still disappointing/maddening when it doesn't perform to expectation.

OakLeaf, Sounds like you've had a lovely week, with yoga to boot! I need to get back into that . . . I always feel better when I practice, and I need to remember that! Thanks for the reminder.

alpinerabbit, I've not heard of Thai massage. Can you give a description? Any kind of massage sounds like a great gift to yourself!

yellow, Wow! You've certainly been active! I tried downhill skiing once years and years ago and hated it. However, I got a chance to try x-country skiing several years later and like that much more. Do you live in an area where you can ski this much all the time, or were you in a vacation spot this past week?

kacie tri-ing, Oh! Taper week! I worked all that week as well. It actually helped me keep my mind off my marathon worries as we were very busy that week. Remember that nutrition and sleep are super important this week. Just because you aren't expending as much energy doesn't mean you should skimp on your carbs, water, and sleep. I promise you that you will not be able to sleep well the night before the race (and will probably be getting up super-duper early), so getting plenty of solid sleep in the days leading up to the race is extra important. I'm very excited for you and can't wait to hear your race report!

spindizzy and Deborajen, Thanks for sharing your reports as well. Isn't it great to have beautiful run days?

Although the morning started out super cold in the mid 20's, it warmed to a high of about 50 by mid-afternoon. So, I went for a 7 mile-ish run on the neighborhood trail again. The sky was clear and barely a breeze. Beautiful. Lots of people, dogs, and children on the trail, so I tried to stay to the side on the gravel as much as possible. I had to poop the whole way, but I think that made me run faster so I could get back home!

If anyone uses podrunner podcasts (www.podrunner.com), I heard on my latest download that the site may be coming down. DJ Steveboy says that if ever there was a time where you were thinking of downloading some of the free tunes, you better do it now. I love that all of the mixes are set by bpm's. I use the ones between 176 and 180 bpm's, but there are slower ones as well.

Here's to a great week everyone!

[Crankin]

I snuck in another treadmill run/walk as a warm up for yoga. After 3 days of x country skiing I am pretty sore, but I was able to do 3 intervals of 3 minutes of running at 5.5 to 5.7 mph. I know that's incredibly slow for most of you, but my only goal is to be able to run a ten minute mile for 5k right now. I only had 20 minutes to run/walk, so the rest of the time I walked at a 3-5% incline at 4 mph.
Cycling seems to be taking a backseat now because I am trying to take advantage of winter for the short time it's here.

[Jolt]

I snuck in another treadmill run/walk as a warm up for yoga. After 3 days of x country skiing I am pretty sore, but I was able to do 3 intervals of 3 minutes of running at 5.5 to 5.7 mph. I know that's incredibly slow for most of you, but my only goal is to be able to run a ten minute mile for 5k right now. I only had 20 minutes to run/walk, so the rest of the time I walked at a 3-5% incline at 4 mph.
Cycling seems to be taking a backseat now because I am trying to take advantage of winter for the short time it's here.

Hey, if you get to be able to run ten minute miles for 5k you'll be at about the level I am, and I've been running a lot longer! Goes to show I'm just not built for speed (you've seen me ride...). I went for the usual half-hour neighborhood run this evening, and there were a couple of stretches where the snow wasn't cleared. At least there wasn't a bunch of black ice though (except along the sidewalk on my street). I just picked up a book, Conditioning for Outdoor Fitness, that I am planning to use to design some strength training workouts that will help with the things I like to do and therefore be something I will be more likely to stick with (I just don't really like lifting weights so it's hard to get me motivated to do it) and help prevent injuries.

[Urlea]

Last week was a flop for me. Didn't get a single run in. It was snowing, then it was cold and then I was out of town where the conditions were pretty much the same only difference being that it was about 10mph more windy. But I did go snowboarding on Saturday & the Saturday before last. It was -8 and probably -20 with the windchill, but still a lot of fun!

Started off this week strong (it took a lot of coaxing just to get me out the door though, busy day at work) anywho, went 7.4 miles. Was only planning to go 5, but it felt good & I ended up having to take a different route home to avoid a one block section that was too busy with rush hour traffic to run on the road. I'm still trying to figure out their plowing strategy here with the sidewalks, it makes no sense so far. Big long stretches of clear sidewalk and then a block or so that isn't cleared at all along the same road. *shrug*

Next week I'll be in Japan visiting family and plan to run there. My only concern is getting lost & not being able to read road-signs. Any suggestions? I wonder if www.Mapmyrun.com works in other countries?

From the looks of it all of you are still getting out there. Good Job!!

*Hugs* to those struggling with injuries. That can be so frustrating. Here's a to a quick recovery!

[Crankin]

Jolt, that book sounds good. I am just petrified that running will wear on my knees and that is why I am going really slowly. The last time I did any running at all was in 2003-2004 and I had terrible groin issues. But, so far, so good and it isn't bothering my cycling injury spots (IT band). I have to start running outside, but I have to estimate my speed by time, since I don't have a GPS. I have a 3.2 mile route I usually walk, but I will have to use the uphill to my house as a cool down at first.
I am not built for speed, either. But, I am trying to do intervals as I know they help increase fitness.
Maybe in the spring we can run together.