January Running: starting the New Year on the right (and left) foot

[TrekDianna]

I've been running a 5k with two co-workers every work day since the beginning of the month. We take weekends off from running. We're pretty relaxed and run during lunch.

[OakLeaf]

Catrin, the dry heaves and spots weren't actually in my training plan and coach wasn't much happier about them than I was. Our weather has been just as variable as yours, in a higher temperature range. Tuesday morning it was 32° and we were covering sensitive plants. Saturday was that. Sunday it never got above 62°, which was great, too bad it was my day off running! Today was humid but only in the low 70s. So that's why I wasn't acclimated to that heat on Saturday. Haven't been able to acclimate to anything. Welcome to the new world ...

I had fun today with my new toy though. I'd kind of written off the running dynamics on my new Garmin 620 as something that was mostly fun to look at, and possibly over time I'll be able to see improvement in the values, but not something I'd use in realtime. I was still feeling kind of depleted from Saturday, and as I said, my plan for today called for not only slow but also backing off the mileage a bit, so it was a good day to work on form. First off I just worked on keeping my cadence up even though I was running slow, and I've been improving there. But then after I stopped for water I decided to put the running dynamics screen up and tried to keep my vertical oscillation under 8 cm, and here's what happened:



I'm actually pretty surprised that I was able to put the realtime feedback into practice so readily. Yay.

[Catrin]

Oh my, I obviously skimmed through your post faster than I realized, I didn't get THAT at all Glad you are ok! Have fun with the new toy, that sounds like fun

Catrin, the dry heaves and spots weren't actually in my training plan and coach wasn't much happier about them than I was. Our weather has been just as variable as yours, in a higher temperature range. Tuesday morning it was 32° and we were covering sensitive plants. Saturday was that. Sunday it never got above 62°, which was great, too bad it was my day off running! Today was humid but only in the low 70s. So that's why I wasn't acclimated to that heat on Saturday. Haven't been able to acclimate to anything. Welcome to the new world ...

I had fun today with my new toy though. I'd kind of written off the running dynamics on my new Garmin 620 as something that was mostly fun to look at, and possibly over time I'll be able to see improvement in the values, but not something I'd use in realtime. I was still feeling kind of depleted from Saturday, and as I said, my plan for today called for not only slow but also backing off the mileage a bit, so it was a good day to work on form. First off I just worked on keeping my cadence up even though I was running slow, and I've been improving there. But then after I stopped for water I decided to put the running dynamics screen up and tried to keep my vertical oscillation under 8 cm, and here's what happened:



I'm actually pretty surprised that I was able to put the realtime feedback into practice so readily. Yay.

[katluvr]

The weather is crazy! I know I am lucky not to deal with cold and snow but as a Floridian I miss my sunshine! I work a variable schedule and since I worked this weekend I was off yesterday and today. So these are my "running days". Best days to get good runs in. Also, I hope to see sunshine! It was beautiful yesterday and I did get my long run int. Today it's pouring down rain. We just can't seem to string a couple of good days together! Cold front coming in and by this weekend for my race it'll be 40-50's, so I guess that's pretty good for a run (as long as sun shines). All this whining is because today I'll have to do my workout/run on the dreadmill!!

[skhill]

Outside again, 2 days in a row! But my Garmin screwed up somehow (or I screwed up my Garmin, more likely). The route I took is a smidge under 5 miles, but the gadget says it was 4.53 miles. Oh well, no big deal. It was in the upper 30s, and I was overdressed and ended up pushing up sleeves and taking off the mittens. A week ago today it was -5 and windy so it's wonderful to be able to overheat today!

Katluvr, 50ish and dry sounds like heavenly race conditions! Have fun!

[GLC1968]

OMG, I need help. I cannot seem to get back into running!!

I really haven't run regularly since my last half in mid-Dec. I don't know if I just needed a break, if I am going through a lazy period (I'm not doing much of anything active at all) or if I just am unmotivated now that my next race isn't until April. Of course, April is fast approaching, so I need to get off my rear.

I think I've run maybe 6 or 7 times in the last month... UGH! I was on such a roll, too...

Any hints or suggestions for how to get back into a grove once I've fallen out of one?

[roo4]

GLC1968, I find that following a training program helps eliminate one point of decision. Doesn't matter if you write it up yourself or download one from the interwebs. That way, I look at the schedule and it says to run 30 minutes (or whatever) on Friday. Well, ok then, off I go. As opposed to thinking that I maybe should perhaps do some running this week. 6-7 times in the last month isn't that bad; it's almost twice a week. Shrug it off and get out there.