Running On, Feb 21-27

[OakLeaf]

Just a mile barefoot today, out and back.

The second half felt amazing.

Yeah, I was on softer sand for the out-lap and a firmer part for the return half. Yeah, there was a 7 mph wind in my face going out, at my back coming home. But still. It was like I just found my stride, found what running is supposed to feel like, bare feet and all, and just felt like I was flying. Pace-wise, I was just around 5K pace for that last half-mile, so nothing brilliant, and I was breathing and sweating for sure, but it didn't feel like work. It just felt amazing.



Indigo, heal up quick. Too bad about this weekend , but good for you to knowing when to say when.



Edit, five hours later:

Okay, this is crazy. I can't remember the last time my calves felt this good. No tightness, no Achilles pain, even after I've been sitting for a while. I'm seriously tempted to whack the back of my heel against something just to see if it's as tender as it normally is. (No, I'm not really going to do it.) I felt like a freakin' Kenyan out there. For all of half a mile, a short, white, slow, pudgy Kenyan. But my calves, this is just crazy. I never want to put on shoes again...

[Susan Otcenas]

11 miles this morning. In the rain. In the dark. Aaaahhh, life in Oregon.

[limewave]

11 miles this morning. In the rain. In the dark. Aaaahhh, life in Oregon.

12 miles last night. In a snowstorm. In the dark.
Life in MI.

[Urlea]

Had a lot of difficulties falling asleep last night so when I set off at 4:35 am to meet up with the Thursday running group I only had 3.5hrs of sleep to go off of. I just kept telling myself to get out there as it's good training for the ultras when I'll be running thru the night anyway.

Despite the windchill of -17F & my fuel freezing toward the end it went surprisingly well. Having the company of other runners definitely keep the mind off the cold. Between the mileage I logged running to/from the meet-up site and the miles w/ the group I got 13.3 this morning!

Now I need a nap.

Susan & Lime: Way to HTFU thru those conditions and get the runs done! Always makes race conditions seem better when you can compare them against crummier weather in training.

[limewave]

Urlea--you are one tough chick.

I was looking forward to that 12 miler all day yesterday. We had gotten so much fresh snow. Big, fat, wet snowflakes. It was gorgeous. And I mapped out a route that took us through the State Park and up to Lake MI. It was beautiful and peaceful.

I LOVE running in weather.

[Susan Otcenas]

Despite the windchill of -17F & my fuel freezing toward the end it went surprisingly well.

See, this is what I'm talking about. Urlea probably reads "11 miles in the rain" and thinks "Heck, I could do that with my eyes closed! "

[rocknrollgirl]

Six in the snow for me this morning at 5 am...it was actually kinda nice....

[Susan Otcenas]

12 miles last night. In a snowstorm. In the dark.
Life in MI.

You definitely have me beat! Despite my grumbling about the rain, I'm really grateful to live someplace where it snows so rarely and the temps are so mild. I'm AMAZED by the conditions some of you run in. !!

[colby]

Edit, five hours later:

Okay, this is crazy. I can't remember the last time my calves felt this good. No tightness, no Achilles pain, even after I've been sitting for a while. I'm seriously tempted to whack the back of my heel against something just to see if it's as tender as it normally is. (No, I'm not really going to do it.) I felt like a freakin' Kenyan out there. For all of half a mile, a short, white, slow, pudgy Kenyan. But my calves, this is just crazy. I never want to put on shoes again...

I feel that way about my shins, I was never able to run as many miles without pain in my shins as I have with the five fingers. I laughed out loud with the whacking something against your heel, that's precisely how my shins are. Around 25 miles a week with a 12 mile long run there is NO WAY I could run my fingers up and down my shins without discomfort like I can now. I've had the "where have you been all my life" moments, too, and I am trying to stay cautious but optimistic about it. I was always a barefoot kind of kid, so I feel almost like I'm getting away with something wearing them, and the dream of freedom will come crashing down.

I don't want to be the barefoot messiah because as with everything it's probably not for everyone and you have to be careful how you approach it, but it's been really interesting.

[spindizzy]

Nice race Grog!

Yellow- all that talk about cages and screws, sounds like your talking about a hockey helmet- not vertebrae

Treadmill Tabata tonight, 10%grade, 7mph. Short and sweet. Then CrossFit.