Moving right along January 3rd-9th

[OakLeaf]

Urlea, I love that picture!

[GLC1968]

Urlea - LOVE that photo! I'm sure it's freaking a few non-barefoot-runners out. It totally looks like some crazy person was out running barefoot in the snow!!

I haven't run since last week, but my last one was 12/18 run/walk and managed 2.35 miles in that time. Tonight it's back down to 10/20 and then it goes back up to 12/18 on Friday. I cannot wait until the run minutes surpass the walk minutes on my plan!

[Susan Otcenas]

Just shy of 7 miles this morning. Wasn't carrying any nutrition and got a bit hungry by the end, but otherwise it was a good run.

I passed a Chevron gas station on my way out and back. It was around 5:30 a.m. on the way out, so it wasn't busy at all. The gas station attendant was jogging laps back and forth between the pumps. Made me wonder if he was a) bored b) training or c) trying to stay warm....

[colby]

Yesterday I did a hard 30 minutes after a 15 minute warm up, basically a test to find approximate LTHR (max HR-20, more or less). It was hard, but the running felt so much more natural than it did last year, I was honestly surprised. I was able to maintain a higher heart rate/faster pace for longer without feeling like I wanted to give up. The last 5 minutes were pretty brutal, but I never felt lightheaded and I was able to push myself to a more appropriate/uncomfortable pace/rate without flipping off the treadmill or negotiating "5 fewer minutes" or "I'll just approximate".

I can't run as fast on the treadmill as I can on dry land. Maybe the temperature gets to me. I guess if I was training for a warm-weather marathon, I'd spend more time at the gym (yuck). I hear that a lot of people can run FASTER on the treadmill, but this concept is foreign to me.

[Becky]

I can't run as fast on the treadmill as I can on dry land. Maybe the temperature gets to me. I guess if I was training for a warm-weather marathon, I'd spend more time at the gym (yuck). I hear that a lot of people can run FASTER on the treadmill, but this concept is foreign to me.

Me either! I was just having this conversation with a running friend yesterday. She swears that the TM is easier for her, but every outdoor run I've done (which hasn't been many lately!) has been faster than my indoor times.

Personally, I think that this is a good thing- makes me feel like Superwoman when I do get outside

[kacie tri-ing]

I agree with you two about the treadmill...I did a slow 6 on it last night...

Because i spent my tri "off season" running, my legs were so happy to be running last night (they have been really sore already in my first week of IM training! Mostly from an increased strength workout and group indoor cycling class!). Hopefully I will be able to get outside for my saturday run/workout.

LOVE those pictures ulea! I can't even imagine, though down south, we have had a rough week (for us!).

Happy running!

[Jolt]

Yet another errand run/walk this morning--4 miles total (probably about half running, half walking). I must look sort of goofy running around town on errands with my bright yellow backpack!

[katluvr]

So I got home last night...it was dark and cold and I was scheduled for a 5 mile progressive run. Good news...I did not ditch the run, just cut it down. Headed out for a 3 miler and just thought I would try and run "fast"...so keep myself feeling a "bit" uncomfortable. Not all out, just not easy. So I wore long running tights, long sleeve dry weave but heavier weight top and a sweatshirt. Knew the sweatshirt would not breath, but wanted to be warm. Also wore gloves and stocking hat--and head lamp! So did get warm and sweated under teh sweatshirt, but otherwise it was "cold". Weird to get so warm under the clothing but still be "cool/cold". I guess it was low 40's when I left. I could see my breath--not something I experience much in FL.
Didn't wear garmin, but overall time was 31:34...so not fast, but not slow.

I AM doing the Disney half...and although it is not a race for me but helping a newbie runner I REALLY wish I was NOT doing it. When I did it in 2006 it was like 38 degrees and you have to be out there by 4 AM!!! I do know now what to "bring" and need to get my "throw away clothes" ready. I am just really bummer and really wish I did not have to do it. I mean being out in the cold 2+ hours before the race and knowing I'll be "running" (or walking) for 3+ more hours in the cold...just not looking forward to it. I need to get my "happiest place in the world" mentality here quick!

I'll be heading out Friday AM for a run before heading to Disney...suspect I'll be wearing my long pants again!.
yeah, I know these 30's to almost 50 is not that bad for most of you, but still freezing my "you know what" off!

Stay warm!!

[colby]

I AM doing the Disney half...and although it is not a race for me but helping a newbie runner I REALLY wish I was NOT doing it. When I did it in 2006 it was like 38 degrees and you have to be out there by 4 AM!!! I do know now what to "bring" and need to get my "throw away clothes" ready. I am just really bummer and really wish I did not have to do it. I mean being out in the cold 2+ hours before the race and knowing I'll be "running" (or walking) for 3+ more hours in the cold...just not looking forward to it. I need to get my "happiest place in the world" mentality here quick!

I'll be heading out Friday AM for a run before heading to Disney...suspect I'll be wearing my long pants again!.
yeah, I know these 30's to almost 50 is not that bad for most of you, but still freezing my "you know what" off!

Some people do the garbage bag, which is unattractive, but surprisingly insulating - maybe throw that on on top of your old cozy sweatpants and sweatshirt

I would definitely do that last run outside in the cold - it will help when the day comes and you are better off than all those people who retreated to the gym when the temps dropped, and now have to go outside and run in 30-50 degree temps rather than 60-80 degree temps!

Maybe when you get there you'll get a little swept up in the event itself. That happens to me - by picking up my number, I feel a little more committed, a little more likely to give myself the pep talk. If not, maybe this run isn't for you, and you should go spend your day riding tower of terror or something.

And, you will be running, not "running".

[OakLeaf]

I waited until midday to do my intervals, 9 x 1 minute. I'm a wuss about cold, too.

I still don't really know whether sprint intervals are doing me any good. Somebody posted something from Dr. Gabe Mirkin on another message board, recommending 30-second intervals, so I figured I'd give the 1-minute intervals another chance. Thirty seconds is not even enough to start suffering! But then again, maybe that's the idea... to really get to the bottom of your lungs without worrying about where the rest of the interval might be coming from. Who knows!

Anyway, yoga yesterday did wonders loosening up my hip. I don't know what I'm doing that's making my obturator lock up, but I've got a line on a PT and hopefully will be able to get in to see him before too long. Also, finally looking at what was left in my gel flask from Tuesday (most of it) made me realize why the last few miles were such a struggle! I'll try Urlea's suggestions about cold-weather fueling and hopefully that will help.

[colby]

Me either! I was just having this conversation with a running friend yesterday. She swears that the TM is easier for her, but every outdoor run I've done (which hasn't been many lately!) has been faster than my indoor times.

Personally, I think that this is a good thing- makes me feel like Superwoman when I do get outside

Whew, glad I'm not the only one.

Today I did hill repeats. Last week was week 1 of my training plan which was just acclimating. This week is not just acclimating. It started with my LTHR tests on the bike and run, added strength, intervals on the bike, and today (steep) 8x60s hill repeats. I am beat (tomorrow's my day off). That 8th hill repeat... OMG. My legs felt like I was running uphill in wet cement! It was also 18 degrees and windy as all get out, but thanks to running "into" the hill I was mostly protected (the wind was coming "down" the hill, more or less, but not until you got either close to the top or close to the bottom). I had my dog for company, she enjoys hill repeats more than regular runs or intervals (and they tire her out pretty efficiently, too).

Been having some heel pain (scared of plantar fasciitis) - my chiro looked at it and touched things and poked different places to rule out plantar fasciitis itself, and did determine it's actually my calcaneous (heel bone) and related muscles out of alignment/angry. I iced the area once this week and have been doing daily stretches that have helped, will go back to icing later.

[zoom-zoom]

Ugh...10 miles entirely on snow-covered roads. It was a good call donning the Yaktrax. But that sucked. Needed to be done, though. Last long runs was 2 weeks ago and the weather is only going to be worse in the coming couple of days.

Is it Spring, yet?

[Bike Chick]

Oh Zoom, you are so good. We got a 4" snow last night and I opted for a 2 miler on the treadmill this evening. Ugh! The wind chill is -2 out there right now and is going to get colder.

The Snowman Shuffle 5k is scheduled for Saturday and the low is supposed to be -1. I don't know if I'm gonna tough it out or not. Question for you ladies: What shoes do you wear running with snow on the ground? And I'm not going to follow in Urlea's footsteps and take mine off

[zoom-zoom]

The shoe choice is a hard call. I would say trails, but I have one pair of NB Gore-Tex trail shoes that I bought for Winter running last year...and they are the WORST pair of shoes EVER on snow/ice (the only falls I have ever had were all in those shoes). But my Mizuno Wave Ascends are really fabulous...almost as good as regular road shoes with Yaktrax.

Have you ever tried screw shoes? I don't know anyone who has tried this and not loved the results. I have several pairs of shoes I should have DH "screw" for me--including those Gore-Tex NBs.

[OakLeaf]

Colby, do you roll out your calves regularly? My Achilles trouble is all about trigger points mostly in the soleus, but some in the gastrocs also, and supposedly it's closely related to heel trouble and plantar fasciitis. I've got to go super deep to get into mine. Stretching doesn't do a thing for them.