Leaping through Feb - 29 days of Running!

[7rider]

My philosophy is usually forget about it and move on. Life just sometimes gets in the way.

This.

But then, since I'm such a newb, I just try to focus on the weekly total, and not on any one run. Sunday, I was "supposed" to do a 6.5 miler. But, unlike Selkie (cough, cough ) I looked out at the cold, damp dreary morning, and I popped a DVD in the t.v. and jogged (can't honestly say I ran) for 65 minutes on the dread-mill while watching the boob tube. Ended up with 4.8. I'll try to make some of it up later in the week. But if I don't, I will try not to beat myself up about it.

[limewave]

I think I shall forget about it and move on . . .

And tonight is The Bachelor! Normally I would take a rest day today, but since I rested yesterday I think I will ride the trainer while indulging in my guilty pleasure. Keep it at an easy spin with little to no resistance. I don't want to tire myself out for tomorrows Sufferfest session.

[Selkie]

You have incredible mental strength to log all that time on the dreadmill, 7.

After a longer-than-usual morning swim, I ran 5 miles. It was cold (high 20s) but sunny. Since I did not go into work today, I ran the super-rolling hill course that starts from our house. I was feeling tired but not hurting. One of those runs where you know you are doing good, building endurance.

Treated myself to a huge bowl of cereal, greek yogurt, and a nap with one of my golden retrievers. A little bit of heaven, a day worth savoring. The afternoon ended up being gloriously sunny and springlike (mid-50s). :-)

[skhill]

Don't know what happened on this morning's run, but I did 6.2 miles at a 8:45 pace. That's faster than all but one 10k I've raced. It didn't feel all that fast; faster than a usual easy run, but it's not like I was intentionally doing a tempo run or anything. I did that yesterday, and had a horrible time keeping up the speed. Go figure.

[Wahine]

Try as I might to squeeze some running into my schedule lately, it's been tough. At the beginning of the month, I convinced myself that surely, I should be able to get in 30 min 5 days per week. So yesterday, in an effort to stick with the plan, squeeze a workout in around my currently crazy work schedule and get an errand done at the same time, I ran a bill over to the water company. In my head I created a nice loop of about 3 miles. With 50 min left in my lunch hour that would give me plenty of time to do the run and eat without being rushed.

It wasn't until it was too late that I realized my run was going to be much longer than I had anticipated. It turned out to be about 5.5 miles. I had to run really hard for the last 2 miles to get back to the office on time for my afternoon appointments. I haven't run that far for a while. I haven't run that fast for more than 2 min in AGES.

Amazingly, I can still walk this morning.

[limewave]

A 6 mile trail run for me today. So weird to be running on the trails. Just a few spots had packed snow/ice.

[OakLeaf]

Mile repeats x 4 today. They're getting easier.

I'm either going to have to add another one or shorten up the recovery interval (from a half mile which usually takes me around 7 minutes at an initial walk to let my heart rate drop quickly, then a very very slow jog - maybe make it a fixed 6 minutes to start with). Probably the latter will accomplish more - what do you all think?

[katluvr]

So yesterday I was off and after dropping the fur-kids off at vet I went out for about 5 miles. It was cloudy, humid (not as bad as summer) and about 70. Drizzle did not begin til I was almost home. Overall felt good, not at fast as I would like for that distance. But at least I ran.

Later in the day I mapped out a biking/running TP to meet my 2 up coming goals.

This AM I was supposed to get on TM. I just can't seem to get out of bed earlier than needed to go to work. If I do get up I need time to be more awake and energize to feel like running. This is NOT going to work. I need to re-program myself to get up earlier and to jump in gear and run. Not sure what is wrong with me!

K

[skhill]

Woke up this morning to find .5 inch of snow on the ground, and more falling. Beautiful. I was looking forward to finally running in the snow. But it's been so warm that it was melting as soon as it hit pavement, and there were puddles everywhere. In less than a half mile, my shoes and socks were soaked. Ended up doing just a quick mile, then going home, putting on another layer and dry socks and boots, and taking my dog for a longer walk that she normally gets in the morning. It's all good.

[Selkie]

skhill, that's looking on the bright side of things. I wonder if a pair of Brooks Ghost shoes (the ones w/the goretex) would have helped keep your feet dry?

Today, I repeated my Monday run and felt much more energetic. I didn't swim as long/far today and didn't run yesterday. While it was cloudy, it felt warmer (high 30s) with a nice, crisp east wind.

We're supposed to get sloppy rain/snow mix later today.

For my 49th, my husband got me an iPod Nano (yes, I said I'd never own one but now that I do, I'm glad I "compromised" my Luddite standards! --- right now, I'm downloading some of my CDs!!). It has a workout feature that I'm looking forward to trying. Also got a nice Patagonia gift card :-)

[emily_in_nc]

Woke up to overcast skies today, thank the gods, and a temp of *only* 74.5, so decided to go for my longest beach run of 2012 today -- 4.6 miles. I had managed this distance once in December before I caught the cold and cough from hell, and have just now finally worked back up to it. On sunny, hot mornings, I will probably still cut back to 3-4 miles, but whenever we do get the rare overcast and slightly cooler morning, it's good to take advantage!

It wasn't pretty (i.e., I was slow and had to blow my runny nose a lot -- not from a cold, just exercise-induced rhinitis), but I did it!

[Bike Chick]

I haven't been posting much or even checking in for that matter but I've been running. I did 10 miles last weekend and it felt pretty good. I have a half marathon this weekend that our local club puts on every year and the high is supposed to be in the 20's. Brrrrrrr! Where did that 50 degree weather go? I would love to just stay indoors but would be risking appearing like a big wussy girl. I guess I'll just bundle up and suck it up. How cold is too cold for you?

[OakLeaf]

Brrrr.

Too cold for me is relative. If I'm acclimated to 80°, 50 might be too cold for me - especially if I can wait a few hours and get 60. I haven't had to run in anything below freezing for many years, but I've done 35° recently and been fine. I do have to watch my hands though, because I seem to have a touch of Raynaud's.

I'm lucky that I don't have to worry about cold right now, anyway. I did my 11-mile boardwalk loop. I went later in the day than I usually do, so there were a lot of other runners out, which was kind of nice to see. I saw a couple of baby mourning doves on the ground in the park.

I'm doing the Level II Chi Running workshop this Sunday. So excited!

[katluvr]

What is too cold?

Well I am doing an 1/2 marathon on this Sunday. As a reminder I am a Florida gal.
The lows that AM are supposed to be mid to high 30's and highs low 50s.
So the 50s and sunny for a 1/2 marathon are OK. But the cold start AND the fact you have to be out there in the environment for 1 or 1.5 hours (at a minimum) before...brrrr. My feet/toes are ALWAYS numb before I start. AND I have learned to wear layers and "check gear". But that temp for a race start is too cold for this Florida chic!! I would prefer a 40-50 start and 60 for a high!!!

K

[Bike Chick]

A 40-50 start with a warm up to 60 degrees would be heaven. The weather man has thrown 20 mph nnw winds into the mix and the forecast is for a wind chill of 10degrees. It should make for an interesting day to say the least. I don't think it will be a day for PR's and will more likely be a day for finishing. I will give you all a full report afterward.

I guess I've been bitten by the marathon bug. It's such an awesome feeling to cross the finish line and I want to experience it again. I've signed up for the Chicago marathon! Can't wait.