Running towards the sun (Daylight Savings week 3/9-3/15)

[Susan Otcenas]

Urlea - Congrats on a great finishing time! I can feel the excitement in your post.

michelem - I'm so sorry you had a bad day. It can really be a drag to run in this kind of weather, eh?

We had rain - fairly hard at times - lots of wind, and cold temps here in Portland this morning. The Shamrock Run race start is down at the waterfront, so the wind was really whipping. There was very little shelter pre-race, except for under a bridge. Fortunately, Jeff brought along a large umbrella and we used it as a wind break. It was so cold that I was losing feeling in my hands and feet. I was doing jumping jacks to try to stay warm.

I placed myself in the 9-10 mile area, but it still took almost 5 minutes to even get to the start line. As teigyr predicted, it was a challenge to dodge people who were running very slow, or were walking, or were cruising along 4 abreast. But after a mile, it started to thin out *a little* and I could run more freely. I felt really good, even cruising up the grade on Broadway.

When all was said and done, I managed to run about 9:50/mile, which I'm absolutely thrilled with. My only disappointment for the day was that I had a cute little run skort outfit all picked out to wear, but the weather was so crappy that I had to revert to thermal tights and a Windstopper jacket.

My legs were tired during my swim lesson afterwards, but I was very happy I still had the energy for a lesson at all!

Susan

[eclectic]

Urlea - Somehow I missed your post or we were posting at the same time
Good job on the time! all your outdoor/miserable weather running is paying good dividends - and it will only get better from here!

Susan - That was a GREAT time especially having to jostle through people
Too bad about not being able to wear the cute outfit isn't that half the fun ?

michelem - That is too bad about the miserable run but great job on persevering through! And doing it after a hard ride the day before!

teigyr - Were you running today or did I dream that?

Crankin' let us know some of the things you are going to try! I will have to look that book up

Today was spin class - Although I don't feel like my running has improved a lot (I don't want my calves to hurt and I want to be faster) but I know it has helped a lot. I wore my HR monitor to spin class - It is getting harder and harder to get my HR up - I really have to work it. My monitor used to say I burned almost 600 cal in an hour now I am lucky if I can get it to 400. So progress is being made - and YES I am pushing it