Spring is here?

As usual for this odd winter, we are getting far less snow in northern Vermont than places like Baltimore.  Though we were expecting a big winter storm, we instead had temperatures in the mid 40s, with some more sunshine!  This was my first run in shorts since the fall -- always a big milestone.  The fact that it was sleeting doesn't dampen my excitement (though it did dampen my clothes) one bit.  After PT I was planning to do a quick 4 miles, so I asked my physical therapist where one could run without running into too much traffic.  One of the other folks there drew me a map of a 5.8 mile run, which turned into 6+ miles and tired me out.  I am at that sweet spot in a training cycle where I have been pushing hard but am still feeling good (If I were smart I would recognize this as the "pre-injury" state and back the hell off).  I did take it easy during most of the run today, enjoying the sunshine poking through the sleet.  I did not see a sleetbow.  Now tired and ready for bed.

Yesterday: PT exercises, yoga 20 min
Today: Run 6.6 miles in 1:01 easy (~9:15 pace)

Snow

Wow, I am giving myself a big pat on the back for running a couple of days ago.  It's dumping snow with no sign of letting up, so I think I hit the sweet spot for the week.

As for today, I had a nice session in PT and am about the get on the indoor bike.  Maybe will do some yoga before bed.

Yesterday: Core workout, pushups / pull-downs, yoga
Today: PT with back/neck exercises, indoor bike 1 hr

Orange overload and blue skies.

Ok, first of all, if your entire "hydration system" consists of a liter of orange gatorade, then an orange-vanilla flavored energy gel is not really the best choice.  This is like drinking Tang for an hour and then squirting a melted Creamsicle into your mouth while breathing hard.

Other than that fairly minor miscalculation, my run today was outstanding.  Rather than the cloudy skies and snow on the same old roads I'm used to, I waited until today (forecast: partly sunny and 35; actual weather: clear blue skies and 35) to run, and went along the Burlington waterfront.  It was absolutely clear, with a full view of the Adirondack mountains across Lake Champlain.  The path was dry and almost free of snow.  Despite cycling yesterday my legs were feeling fairly good, and I was able to build up to a decent 8:30-8:45 pace for most of the run.  Even after the creamsicle mishap I rallied and kept a good stride for the run back, ignoring the shifting aches and pains that are typical of the second half of a longer run.

Sometimes it amazes me how even a short "long run" can surprise with its difficulty and intensity.  I wonder if  experience is a disadvantage, as I certainly don't psych myself up the way I used to for these 14, 16, or 18 mile runs.  Thinking back, though, even when I prepared and visualized the night before, these runs were still hard.  The flip side is that the mental struggle has shifted from the nagging question of "Can I finish?" to the nagging question of "Why bother?" or "Let's just do this another time."   Either way, forward progress is a good enough answer.  Today I was excited because I haven't run in this kind of weather for months.  The first half was smooth like butter and the miles literally flew by, but when I hit the turnaround point I really had to push to get myself back on pace for the second half.  No, I don't blame the creamsicle.  Once I did get back on pace I felt good and the uphill last mile, though pure torture, was less painful than expected.


All in all, a good day and a good run.

Today: 16 miles in 2:21:41 (8:51 pace average)

Weekend is over

A great weekend with family.  I postponed my long run because of the snow (which promptly stopped), but enjoyed the day and will hopefully catch some sunny, above-freezing weather when I do go.

First foray back into resistance training since the neck sprain

Yesterday: yoga 30 min
Today: indoor bike 1 hour @ ~125 Watts;  pushups & pullups with band

Great run in the snow

One familiar theme is me planning to get up at 5 am to run and then choosing not to do it.  Usually I rationalize this somehow (too tired, too cold, will run later, etc.), and this morning was no exception.  But in a stunning reversal, I don't regret it now.  I brought running clothes to work and took a lunchtime run outside.  It had snowed a few inches overnight and was still snowing lightly.  I ran down a hill where my work is to a place called the Intervale, a farming valley in the northern part of Burlington.  There is a dirt road that runs through the intervale, past various farms, community gardens, and a huge commercial compost facility.  Sometimes in the summer it is hot and dusty, but it's always more pastoral than running through town.  Today it was really beautiful - although the roads in town were cleared of snow, the road through the Intervale was not.  Aside from a few cars, I saw only a family walking their dogs.  Oddly, the best moment was when I ran past the compost field and heard a very loud cacaphony of birds (crows?).  I've been so dependent on the treadmill for daytime runs lately that I've almost forgotten how good it feels to just duck outside for a little while, run, and come back feeling refreshed.  I started my running career with afternoon runs, and decades from now that's what I'll be doing, running in the late afternoon before dinner.

I'm also excited about a rare date with Jess tonight.  We've got a babysitter who knows the kids well, and we'll go out to dinner and see a concert.

Today: ran 4 miles easy and free

Just a run

Quick post today as we have visitors.  After a long rest day yesterday I managed to get in a treadmill run at work today.  Thank god!  As they say, usually regretted if you don't, never regretted if you do...

Rather than a muscle strain in my neck, I irritated a C3-4 facet joint.  Accurate diagnosis will help with PT but I'd rather have a muscle strain.  More on this exciting story as it develops.

Yesterday: rest
Today: 4 mile pace run (8:00 - 8:45), yoga 30 min

The skiing was cold...

...but the tequila was warm.

I had a great day skiing with two good friends, despite windy and icy conditions at Sugarbush.  When they put up a sign warning of "thin cover," I would be well-advised in the future to heed it.  I skied two of the gnarliest runs ever, not because of the fairly moderate moguls but because of the combination of rocks, foliage, and ice poking up through the snow at every turn.  I suppose this is a "best of eastern skiing" moment.  It was a fun day, and an even funner night as we went out on the town in downtown Montpelier.  We ended up sampling tequilas but were no the worse for wear this morning.

Today had a great day, a combination of President's Day and a belated Valentine's celebration with Jess.  We watched "District 9," one of the most original science fiction movies I've seen in a while.  I had a good run at 2:30 or so, in the sunshine and with above-freezing temperatures, again with an incredible view of the mountains.  I went to pick the girls up, and when I got home caught the aroma of Jess's gourmet meal of the day -- chicken braised in a shallot and apricot red wine reduction, and pesto couscous.  Wow!

Yesterday - Downhill skiing (sorry no tele)
Today - Run 5.5 miles easy