I needed to get in an early run today. I was planning on getting started at the track a 6am. Didn't get started until 6:10.
I had 8 miles today. I made 7.8 which is close enough in my book right now.
I felt really good. During the first couple of miles I didn't think my body was going to make it today. After that I settled in and found a good rhythm. I'm still really slow. I still have to remind myself that I've only been running for 7 months. I want to be faster but it's just not happening yet.
I can really tell improvement. In these longer distances I'm feeling more comfortable. I was thinking about the first few times I had to run 5 miles. At that time I thought this was so hard. Now I'm to the point which I run 5+ miles 5 days a week.
880s
OK, so I'm a little behind on writing here. I get caught up in the daily business and just never remember to come write anything.
This has been a up and down running week for me. Sunday I was going to attempt a timed 5k. Totally blew up running by myself. I was just going to run the track at the high school 2 laps plus the .1 (I actually stepped out the .1). I went out so hard that, I'm embarrassed to say this, I had to stop after the first lap. My legs were hurting so bad I just had to stop. Taught me a lesson about pace.
Tuesday I had 5 miles. I decided that since I had such a lite day on Sunday and an off day on Monday I would try to push it a bit. Turns out I had one of my best days ever for this distance.
The run for today was 5x880s.
I warmed up by running maybe a .5 mile. Here were my 880 times:
This has been a up and down running week for me. Sunday I was going to attempt a timed 5k. Totally blew up running by myself. I was just going to run the track at the high school 2 laps plus the .1 (I actually stepped out the .1). I went out so hard that, I'm embarrassed to say this, I had to stop after the first lap. My legs were hurting so bad I just had to stop. Taught me a lesson about pace.
Tuesday I had 5 miles. I decided that since I had such a lite day on Sunday and an off day on Monday I would try to push it a bit. Turns out I had one of my best days ever for this distance.
The run for today was 5x880s.
I warmed up by running maybe a .5 mile. Here were my 880 times:
- 3:30
- 3:37
- 3:34
- 3:44 (oh, it's hurting)
- 1:48 (could only make a 440)
9 miler
My longest distance yet. Boy, it felt every bit of 9 miles. It is 9 miles according to the route I drew over at http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/.
After church and after eating Genoa dropped me off at the entrance to the Sportsplex about 2:20pm. I had intended to run at the track @ 6am but the rain was just too much for me to give it a try.
I got to the covered foot bridge. I knew we had a lot of rain during the night but I didn't know just how much. Where the path crosses under Hwy 251 was covered with about a foot of water. I've never seen that before. So I had to turn around, run out of the Sportsplex and south down Hwy 31. Not the safest place to be running but it was the only way I could get back on my planned route.
I had eaten lunch about 30 minutes earlier. That wasn't enough time for everything to settle. I wasn't sick feeling it was just uncomfortable. After about 45 minutes I started feeling better. Those first 45 were tough.
For me it was a tough run. About 7 miles in I really started feeling some strain in some muscles and my feet were feeling terrible. Between 7 and 8 miles I got some energy from some place. I didn't feel quite as tired the last 2 miles.
Woohoo! I made it. It took me 78 minutes. I wasn't going for time (but I always like to know). I just wanted to finish.
After church and after eating Genoa dropped me off at the entrance to the Sportsplex about 2:20pm. I had intended to run at the track @ 6am but the rain was just too much for me to give it a try.
I got to the covered foot bridge. I knew we had a lot of rain during the night but I didn't know just how much. Where the path crosses under Hwy 251 was covered with about a foot of water. I've never seen that before. So I had to turn around, run out of the Sportsplex and south down Hwy 31. Not the safest place to be running but it was the only way I could get back on my planned route.
I had eaten lunch about 30 minutes earlier. That wasn't enough time for everything to settle. I wasn't sick feeling it was just uncomfortable. After about 45 minutes I started feeling better. Those first 45 were tough.
For me it was a tough run. About 7 miles in I really started feeling some strain in some muscles and my feet were feeling terrible. Between 7 and 8 miles I got some energy from some place. I didn't feel quite as tired the last 2 miles.
Woohoo! I made it. It took me 78 minutes. I wasn't going for time (but I always like to know). I just wanted to finish.
WARM January day
Well two weeks ago I was writing about running in the snow. Just last week the streams behind Athens High School were still frozen. Today I run in 67 degrees. We do have some freaky weather in these parts.
Last week I had to miss a couple of days on my schedule so I decided to do that week over. Not much going on with the schedule. Just trying to keep on keeping on. Even during the really cold I was still out and about. There was only about one time during that cold snap that I was really uncomfortable. Today was a very welcome day. Made for a more sweaty run but I'll take that any time.
Unfortunately this warm weather spun up a tornado in North East Huntsville. Early reports have just a few minor injuries. Check out this picture I found online:
Last week I had to miss a couple of days on my schedule so I decided to do that week over. Not much going on with the schedule. Just trying to keep on keeping on. Even during the really cold I was still out and about. There was only about one time during that cold snap that I was really uncomfortable. Today was a very welcome day. Made for a more sweaty run but I'll take that any time.
Unfortunately this warm weather spun up a tornado in North East Huntsville. Early reports have just a few minor injuries. Check out this picture I found online:
Run and Snow
Kind of an interesting experience running in the snow today. Quite often I would have flakes get caught in my eye lashes or go straight into my mouth. Kind of fun.
What I have figured out about running in the cold:
What I have figured out about running in the cold:
- Two layers is about all my body can stand. I have went out a couple of times with two shirts and then a thin pullover wind breaker. I quickly get hot in that setup. Two shirts, gloves and a hat is what I start with. About 20 minutes into the run I have to come out of the gloves. Just carrying them wrapped in my hands keeps my hands warm. I can come out of the hat but the wind running over my sweaty head is a bit too much cold.
- Running in the cold can be done. It's all about your attitude. If you let the cold determine what you are going to do, the cold will win. I haven't tried rain and cold. Now that might be the thing that stops me from running.
- Long pants are necessary. Before it got really cold, starting a couple weeks back, I could still run comfortably in my shorts. Now, no sir, not at all. There has been one day when I had on long legged base layer and then long pants. That is too much heat retention for me.
- When the sun is out it feels so much better. During the summer when the sun is out it is a real downer and can be dangerous. During the winter and especially when the sun hasn't shown in a while it's AWESOME. Surprisingly it quickly raises my body temperature when the sun is shining brightly. Go Sun!
- Dogs sure are cranky during the winter. During the summer you will barely see a dog. Right now I can't make it past any house without the dog going nuts. I'm not a dog fan at all. They are certainly not a fan of runners. Back when I walked all the time I never noticed the dogs barking at me. Now that I'm running I get some very vicious barks and growls. I've had a few loose ones follow right on my heels down the road.