Running to the year's end 12/16 - 12/31

[Veronica]

I had an awesome run with Thom this morning. 41 degrees out at 4:45. We actually got to see the stars - it's been rainy and overcast for awhile here.

10:09 average pace for 3 miles. I'm thrilled to be finding my running place again after all my quadriceps issues last year.

I've made my monthly running goal the last two months and I'm on track for three in a row. It's not a very lofty goal, but it's more miles than I have run on a regular basis in more than year. I don't start officially training for my HIM until mid March and if I can keep running like I have been I should have a really good base when I start training for real. I go up in age group next year and I'd really like to do well.

Veronica

[HillSlugger]

I did my last run yesterday before Saturday's Celtic Solstice 5 miler. At 6:30am it was 16F with winds up to 20mph! At least on Saturday it should be in the 30's. Hoping to go under 50 minutes.

[sfa]

Two runs this week (also training for Celtic Solstice)--one five mile run outside on Monday in 26 degree temps with 30 mph gusts of wind. After the three mile mark it started snowing, and I just laughed, figuring if I could make it through that run, Saturday should be easy (with similar temps but no wind or snow predicted). I finished in 50:05, but I had multiple short rests while waiting for traffic lights (not included in the time--I paused my watch) so I hope I can maintain that pace without the rests on Saturday.

Wednesday was just a three mile treadmill run, same pace.

I had a nice anxiety dream last night about getting to the start of the race. It involved driving through lava beds to get there, then arriving and discovering that I hadn't brought warm running clothes and only had shorts, black loafers, and a bell-sleeved shirt to wear. Very odd. Even in my dream, while my subconscious fretted, my logical brain was saying "suck it up and get going, you pansy!"

Sarah

[skhill]

Back to the treadmill yet again. It's plenty warm enough to run outside (upper 20's) but when I took my dog out for his first pee of the morning we were slipping and sliding on the ice. So it was 7 very very dull miles on the treadmill...

Good luck in the Celtic Solstice, y'all!

[Crankin]

It's a gorgeous day outside, sunny and 33. I was supposed to ride with Hirakukibou this afternoon, but she had to cancel, so I decided to run instead. Not sure why, but my left hamstring started screaming. This always seems to happen after I've done a harder run on the treadmill. Perhaps I didn't stretch enough Wednesday or maybe it's all of the new yoga stuff I've been doing. I ended up doing a measly 2.2 miles and limping up my driveway. It feels better after doing a 10 minute stretching DVD segment and showering. Here's hoping it won't interfere with riding tomorrow.

[GLC1968]

Just finished a lunch time run to make up for missing my run last night. I'm glad I waited. Sun and 40F at lunch is way better than the dreadmill in the basement!

Unfortunately, despite the weather, I was not enjoying myself. It felt hard and everything was sluggish. Overall pace was normal so I guess it's just perception. Here's hoping tomorrows run is a bit more enjoyable...

[indigoiis]

After a week off with a sinus infection (Bah!) I ran a hilly but relaxed 3.2 Thursday, took Friday off and ran 3.1 today at a much-more-like-me pace. Tomorrow I will do a long run of say 8 miles (at least that's what's on my mind - I haven't decided on what route yet.)

I'm still coughing. It sucks! But the runs themselves have been fine.

[Crankin]

Hamstring still hurting today, when I did my Cyclo-Core stuff on the trainer. Grrr. Thankfully, the drills today were not in a big gear.
I was supposed to run tomorrow, outside and I don't want to chance it. It doesn't hurt when walking, though. Monday is a rest day.
What else can I do, besides stretch and rest? I don't like to take Advil, since it really hurts my stomach, and I am not in pain, until I start to run. I wore my compression tights this morning for 3 hours and it seemed to help some.

[HillSlugger]

I had a great race! My goal was under 50 minutes/under a 10mm pace; I finished in 48:10 (5.11 miles)/9:25 pace. All I can say is WOW! It was hard, it was fun, it was satisfying.

Regina (7Rider) looked great and hit her goal, too. Sarah, sorry we didn't meet.

I'll post a few pictures shortly.

[HillSlugger]

Three pictures: me crossing, Regina crossing, our friend (and relay triathlon teammie) Jenny crossing:

[7rider]

Wow! I am such a data nerd. There I am....fiddling with my Garmin as I cross the line. And just like pictures of me on the bike...I always look like I'm in pain when I do these events!!

Yeah, I was pretty stoked. I exceeded my goal for the race and came in under 11 minutes per mile. I felt fast (okay...all things are relative!), and the course was not as hilly as I feared - or trained for - so it seemed a whole lot easier than I expected. But good grief....that last mile and a half around the lake seemed to take FOREVER! I watched that line of runners stretch out in front of me like a big, running, snake. I thought it wouldn't end.

Pretty amazing day, tho', I have to say. Thanks for the pix, Nicole! You rocked!

[HillSlugger]

Here's one more of our group (yeah, it was cold waiting to start!):

[sfa]

I had a great run today too, and hit my goal (under 50 was my goal--I finished in 49:36 so I just made it in). I kept looking for someone in high viz yellow with the 1365 number, but no luck--it was way too crowded out there. I did manage to run across the president of the college where I work four times (!)--passing in the first mile, seeing her going one direction after I had turned around, while waiting for a friend at the finish, and then again in the tent after the race. She was the one person I hoped I didn't run into (I like her, but it's one of those awkward situations where you have to be social with someone you normally only speak to in fairly formal settings). And I felt bad for the friend I came with--she was having serious problems with her calf and ended up walking most of the way, but insisted on finishing.

And yeah, what was it with the lake? It doesn't look that big on the map, but it just went on and on.

[indigoiis]

Congrats all you Marylanders on your race! Whoo hoo!

I ran ten today with the Mister at 9:30, felt great. Was coughing a bit coming inside and so put my head over a hot cup of peppermint tea and it soothed it right away.

Riding tomorrow, Dr. appt. Tuesday, running again on Wednesday. This is week 3 of training for the Hyannis half.

[Bike Chick]

Congrats to you all on your race! Looks like it was a bit brrrrrrrrisk out there!

I've only tried to run once since the Memphis HM December 4 and my foot and ankle are still very sore so I'm on the eliptical and the bike for a couple more weeks trying to heal. I've got to do something.......these Christmas cookies are killing me!