New Years Run

[Bones8]

Is anyone here doing one? I just signed up for a New Years Eve 5k. I figured its a good way to end 2014 and start 2015.

[OakLeaf]

I just found out there is a beach 5K near me on New Year's morning. I probably will do that. I've just kicked off my training for Boston, but since I'm self-coaching again this time around, I get to decide which local races I'll do. All the 5Ks I did leading up to New York turned out to be reasonably decent speedwork, not necessarily the absolute best way to prepare for a marathon, but a great balance between a targeted workout and plain fun.

[TrekDianna]

Yes, I am going a New Year's marathon.

[rocknrollgirl]

None for me, I am still on the injured list. Hoping to cleared in a few weeks, at which point I am treating myself to a new pair of running shoes. Then the challenge will be to figure out how to ease my way back into running. I am thinking a walk/run program.

[OakLeaf]

Dang TrekDianna, I guess that means no New Year's Eve party for you! But extra champagne after.

The scheduled workout in my training plan is 5 miles warmup, 4 x 1 mile at Threshold pace, two miles cooldown. I think instead I'll run the two miles to the 5K and back and jog another four somewhere in there.

[katluvr]

I'm doing a New Year's Eve run...16 miles on the training plan for tomorrow. Then I'll rest up or bike on New Year's Day.

[Trek420]

Is anyone here doing one? I just signed up for a New Years Eve 5k. I figured its a good way to end 2014 and start 2015.

No run. We'll ride to see the polar bear swim if I can get warm enough.

[katluvr]

2nd 16 mile run done! First time I had a really tough time mentally and physically. Really ran out of gas near the end, could not imagine running 26.2 miles! So I did set out this AM to conquer 16 miles. Did a different route (mental) and focused hard on feeling "good" (another mental task). It was cloudy, drizzling and very windy this AM. I warmed up quickly, rain never came and skies lightened a bit but the wind never went away. It was favorable at times, but right in my face at others. Mile 10-13 I was joined by a nice gentleman. He 68, lives in Canada, comes to FL for part of the winter, originally from Finland (you can learn a lot about someone in 3 miles). He was doing about 25 miles today (seriously!). He's done 100 mile and 50 mile races, but he's a bit out of shape, he said. He had a strange running style, looked more like a fast walk, but it works for him. I was probably much more out of breath than him. But running and chatting with him really helped me out in those middle miles. I did fade at mile 13, but not as bad as last time (or as early). Cut 7 minutes off my last 16 mile run! Woo too!
K

[emily_in_nc]

I will be running in the morning, though nothing organized. I run at the local track and am gradually working my way up as I've just started back after a couple-year hiatus. I am up to a little over 2 miles of running plus 2 more miles of walking total. My legs, heart, and lungs could take a bit more, but it is very hot and humid here (Playa del Carmen, Mexico), so that is all I can manage before I melt -- I'm totally drenched when I finish. Tomorrow the track is closed for NY's Day, so I will try running on the road. Hoping for a cloudy morning. As much as I love the sun, it takes it out of me when I run.

Enjoy your runs, everyone!

[TrekDianna]

I did it. The whole 26.2 miles. It was miserable. Well, the run was fine. The weather was miserable. I can't even begin to imagine how much time I lost trying to get wet tights pulled down and pulled back up again with hands so cold I could barely feel them when I had to pee. I did it though. Now I have to do another one in better weather.

[OakLeaf]

Way to go TrekDianna! Touch wood, I've never run a wet marathon and I hope I never do. I have wondered whether I'd even make it through the whole thing. Kudos to you for sticking it out!!

My race was wet too, but warm enough that it was pleasant, and even the other 8 miles didn't get so wet as to be sloshing in my shoes. My only hitch was when my shoe came untied within the first mile of the race. D'oh!!

[Bones8]

I did much better in my NY Eve 5k than I anticipated, finishing 4 minutes faster than the goal I set for myself and earning me 2nd place for females in my age group. It was really motivating! It was also my first race ever and I think I've been bitten by the bug...I'm looking for more races to sign up for and working on building up to 10k, although 5k feels like a really "fun" distance.

[OakLeaf]

Haha, you've got the bug too. Congratulations on your age group award!!

Emily - none of us here are going to the Olympics (unless someone's sandbagging )! It's all about putting in the work - be proud of yourself, you are not slow!

Kat - nice work! It finally cooled off here yesterday, hope it did for you too. Non-running related illustration of the temperature and humidity - Sunday I did a mat yoga class but they have aerial in the studio too, so before class I was just hanging upside down in a kite. They keep the studio warm (not hot), but Sunday they had all the windows open because it was so hot and humid outside. When the teacher got ready to start class I turned myself back rightways up ... and all the sweat started dripping the other direction on my body ... just from hanging there in the ambient temperature. Yecccch!

Yesterday was beautiful for my tempo run though. Now that the holidays are finally over I can nail down a consistent schedule because I really want to start joining my bike club's slow Thursday ride.

[emily_in_nc]

Thanks for the encouragement, Oakleaf! Where are you that it has been so hot and humid?

I did another 5K at the track today and beat my previous time by almost a minute. This time my three miles were 10:22, 10:01, and 9:47, in that order. It is really hot & humid here most mornings, and the sun was out full-strength, so I think I could do a bit better in a cooler locale. Because of the heat, I am not sure how much I'll be able to increase my distance, but I am going to keep up a schedule of a couple of 5K runs per week (I do yoga or a bike ride the other mornings) as long as I can tolerate the climate. Perhaps it will get easier the more I acclimate?

[katluvr]

Ran 4 miles Tuesday AM before heading to Anna Maria Island where my parents are staying for a week. It was cool enough, in the 60's. Had a nice run.
This AM had a windy and cool run along the paved beach path. Just 3 miles. But a lovely place to run.
Back to work tomorrow. Expecting "frigid temps" (by FL standards) in the AM. By this weekend it will be warm FL again, just in time for my 18 mile run.

K