November Leaf Shuffling

[skhill]

Well, I didn't run Tuesday-- it wasn't the snow or the 32F temp that put me off, but the 25mph wind that went along with all that. Then I didn't run Wednesday-- it was 23F and I wimped out. Today, however, I finally got out again. 27F and clear skies and almost no wind, it was beautiful. I went about 5.5 miles at a pretty quick pace, and there were a lot more runners out at 6:30 am than usual. A whole flock of us were circling around the north end of campus, all bundled up.

It's supposed to be warmer over the next few days, hooray!

[OakLeaf]

Well, I haven't run all week. The last cold caught me good, and turned into a sinus infection, but thank my lucky stars I seem to have headed off bronchitis. I *know* it would've gone down into my lungs if I'd tried to run, so I'm okay with it, even though I'm jonesing.

But I've got good news anyhow. That foot pain wasn't getting any better, and with where it was and how it felt, I was really starting to worry it was a stress fracture. I was seeing the DO this morning anyway so I asked him to look at it. Clinically he didn't think it was fractured, and he eased my cuboid back into place, fixed the rotation of my first and second metatarsals, and the pain is gone. If it comes back I'll obviously need to get an MRI, but he thinks that's unlikely. Yay.

[rocknrollgirl]

Hi Guys,
I have been running, but I have been too lazy to post. Things are busy at school and it sucks the life right out of me. We have just been doing shorter stuff, nothing over an hour. Since our race 6 weeks ago we have been mountain biking a lot, so the running as scaled back, which is fine. No need to push at this point, especially because we are planning shorter races this year.

So Tuesday, I too wimped out because of the 25mph winds. Yesterday we did a trail run for 45 mins.

[Crankin]

You did the right thing, Oak. Been there, done that. I am going to try and avoid bronchitis this year.

[yellow]

I use a remote/online/phone coach who trains several ultrarunners. He put me in touch with one of his other clients who was going to be visiting SLC so this other client and I could talk trails for him to run while visiting. He is from NC, closer to the ocean, so you'd think the altitude (and very low humidity and cold) might get to him a little bit. He flew in to town last Monday and we went for a great run in the foothills. Nothing like soaking in the enthusiasm and joy of someone who is grateful to be running in a new place (and really freakin' excited about it). The altitude didn't seem to phase him. It was all I could do to keep up with him on the downhills.

Fast forward to Saturday, when he wanted to go for a ~2 hour trail run. Oh, and he was going to bring along another guy who he met at this class he was attending in SLC. Other guy is from NJ and not a runner, but he is young (20-something) and an elite rower (as in Olympics-level elite). It was snowing and these guys only had shorts (but they did have jackets and gloves). No worries. Off we went on a beautiful snow covered trail. The guys couldn't get over that the snow was not slippery to run on and the fact that it was snowing and they were out running in it. There was a lot of man giggling. We all had a great time and the young non-runner guy had no problem popping off an 11 mile trail run in the snow at altitude (the longest trail run he'd ever done). Ahhh, youth.

Not that I really need reminding, but it was a reminder to be thankful for what I have, where I live, and where I run. I enjoyed sharing my trails with someone new. I usually run alone (mostly because I haven't been successful in finding a compatible trail running buddy), so it was a real treat to run with other humans who were very much in the moment. To witness the joy and enthusiasm of these guys was priceless. Here is a picture from Saturday. Look at those smiles! (Yes, I am short, but they were both tall so that makes me look extra short.)

Back to running with me, myself, and I today. We had a lovely little jaunt. Perfect fall evening.

[VeganBikeChick]

What a lovely photo, yellow! Kudos to everyone getting their runs in!

I'm really starting to enjoy my outdoor runs here, although I sure do miss running in the chilly weather in CO with the sun shining down to keep me warm.

[katluvr]

I, too, have been running but not posting. On Sunday i ran my first trail 1/2 marathon. It was about 84 degrees after the sun came up. Ah, fall in Florida! Here is the race report I posted on FB:

Race report: So it was my first trail 1/2 marathon. I've done many a road race and yes, I have done Pikes Peak--but that's totally different. I did pretty good to start, first 5 miles under 1 hour, made the half way mark at 1:40 so I thought I was doing well. But it was HOT. When not in the woods (where it more technical) we did flat, grassy areas with direct sun. I really think I would of done better if not so hot. It really hit me between miles 8 & 9 and the "walk/run" was on. By miles 11 & 12 it was mostly a walk and short, slow slogging. My best road 1/2 marathon was 2:09, my normal "good" 1/2 is between 2:17 & 2:24, and not trained for 1/2s are in the 2:30 mark. My goal was under 3 hours and I made it in 2:56--thus goal attained! As runners know since this is my first trail 1/2 marathon this is a new PR! Not bad for a short, chubby almost 50 year old!

So my next race is my usual race of a 5 K and 10 K --back to back, 3rd weekend in Jan. My plan is to change my training from endurance and just getting the distance to working on my speed. We shall see how that goes.

K