I honestly thought I would be running today. I had anticipated it, despite a rather pathetic 1 mile yesterday. That just didn’t hold up though.
Yesterday, the temperature was 64* and today it was a freezing 25*…with “freezing rain,” which just means tiny bits of ice falling… and I would have had to run in the dark in those conditions. I just wasn’t feeling it.
So, let’s hit the highlights.
I began New Year’s Day with a 5K that I ran in 35:01. I ran a 5K just a few days ago in 28:11. Not bad for 4 weeks.
My longest run over the last month was 11 miles in just over 2 hours. Hoping that I can break 2 hours for my upcoming half marathon. This weekend will be a good test of that, as I have a 13 mile run ahead of me on Sunday.
My fastest mile was 8:22 on the 27th.
I got to learn a lot about my little neck of the woods and all the greenways the area has. I love that there are tunnels under the major roads for safer running, though I’m always glad to get through them since I’m not a fan of being so enclosed with little means of escape from any ne’er-do-wells that may be out there. It could just be my military training, it could be my PTSD, or it could be some combination of both. However, they make getting far without interruption quite safe and easy.
After this one lovely day of rest for my tired legs, I’ll be revving back up with another 28 miles this week and onward with my marathon training plan, but embracing the rest days finally. I’ve picked out my next 4 big races, which is amusing since 1 month ago, I couldn’t even pick one. Now I’m feeling motivated and I feel like I’ve come back into something far more “me” than I’ve felt in years.
I’ve also noted that I’m back to my runner’s language too. While with East Nasty, it was easy because everyone spoke obsessively about nutrition, paces, races, and injuries. Now I’m inundating a lot of non-runners with such talk and I fear I may come off a bit obsessed. I’m hoping to find a good running community here in my little town soon. I’m still not quite to the point of early morning runs though, so the few group runs I am aware of, I’m usually asleep through. I imagine as I start getting into 15-20 mile runs, I’ll be waking up earlier just so I can have some bit of day remaining. I can only hope I don’t get too far before the pool opens, because I can’t wait to be able to just jump into my pool following a long run.
As an aside- Speaking of my pool, my homestead still needs a name. Happy to take some suggestions from friends!
Upcoming Races:
Spring Fever Half Marathon- Goal: < 2 Hours
NORAD Trail Marathon- Goal: 4:30
Bolder Boulder 10K (tentative)- Goal: 58 minutes
Bear Chase Trail 50K- Goal: 5 hours (I don’t know… is that pushing it?!? Though if I’m trained up, I may do this 50 mile and do Destin 50K)
Destin Beach Ultra 50 Mile- Goal: 10 hours (this may move to 9 hours, but I’ll see how the next year goes)
I think I look different since the running began but I will say, I can’t deny the weight loss. I found my abs again after they’d been missing for 3 years and apparently they’d been hanging out with my flat stomach! I’m so proud of this.
I think I look different in the face too. Maybe I’m just more awake. Let’s be honest, it’s been an intense month. Maybe it’s the good food and lack of alcohol. I still have not had a single drop of alcohol this year. I’ve noticed quite a difference in how I feel as well as how I look thanks to that. I’d like to say I’m sleeping better but my sleep is still so-so thanks to post-run aches and pains. At least it is well won pain.
And quickly, a nod to my gear (because it’s hard to be a successful runner without the right gear):
- Altra Intuition 3 Zero Drop (road)
- Montrails (trail)
- CEP compression calf sleeves- I won’t run a yard without them!
- Victoria’s Secret sports bras- These offer more support than other sports bras I’ve tried and when running, the more support for my breasts, the better!
- CW-X Compression Insulator tights- It’s cold here in the winter! These tights, sometimes layered with shorts, definitely keep me warm.
- Brooks running jacket- I bought this for a rainy race but have found that, layered with long sleeve shirts and base layers, it keeps me comfortable when they temperature drops to 0*.
- Swiftwick socks- Always Swiftwicks! I’m actually about to order some more because they are so great.
- Garmin Vivoactive HR- I’m loving this watch. It does everything I need it too. My only complaint is that it doesn’t always register my stair climbs. Otherwise it works great and it does register the altitude loss/gain as I run.
After 31 days non-stop, it is great to have a single evening to rest but I’m already excited to get back on the road tomorrow. I seem to get more excited about longer runs right now because the cold weather often means it takes about 20 minutes just to get everything on and situated right. It feels wrong when getting dressed and undressed takes longer than the run itself. I’m ready for springtime to get here!