Day 421 | December 13, 2010: 3 m run + strength

How is it that I feel like I can run forever outside, but I struggle to go a few miles on the treadmill?! I ran three miles at 6.0 mph (1.0 incline). I originally wanted to run 5 miles outside, but our sidewalks are covered in ice. I even thought about running in the street, I was so desperate to run outside…  but that’s not safe in the dark (in my neighborhood). Steven reminded me that I should be grateful we have a treadmill – he’s right! I just don’t know why I can’t stand to run on the treadmill now. What changed? Two years ago, I ran on it all winter long! Now I struggle, and feel too hot and constricted.

Do you reluctantly use the treadmill? Or do you prefer it?

Strength + Stretch (done during my lunch break):

1 Rope Pushdowns: 3 x 15 @ 30 lb	5 Hip Adduction: 3 x 15 @ 55 lb
2 Leg Curl: 15 @ 30 lb, 15 @ 40 lb, 15 @ 20 lb	6 Biangular Lat Row: 15 @ 45 lb, 2 x 15 @ 60 lb
3 Seated Leg Press: 15 @ 90 lb, 15 @ 110 lb, 15 @ 130 lb	7 Biangular Chest Press: 15 @ 30 lb, 2 x 15 @ 50 lb
4 Hip Abduction: 3 x 15 @ 115 lb	8 Lat Pulldowns: 15 @ 45 lb, 2 x 15 @ 60 lb

Day 422 | December 14, 2010: yoga

I did 20 minutes of easy yoga before bed.

Day 423 | December 15, 2010: 3 m run

First Yak Trax run of the season:

They sure are good for traction in the snow (not on the ice), but the extra friction caused by wearing them? Ugh.

I ran to our neighborhood park and ran a few loops. I thought the park trail would be all covered in ice and snow, but only patches were, so I ran a lot on the snow covered grass next to the loop (as to not ruing the Yak Trax by running on the black top). I only lasted 3 miles in that.

I wore my new Champion C9 running tights (only available in XXL on line – they run really large – I bought a medium, and am normally a large) that I got from Target a month or so ago. They must have a different lining because they kept my legs really warm (under pants). My other tights are really sheer compared to these new ones.

I recommend them for cold weather running… if you can find them. I wish I had two pairs!

Distance: 3.0 | Start Temp: 12° | End Temp: 10° | Time: 30:18 | Avg Pace: 10:05 | 1: 9:45 | 2: 10:21 | 3: 10:09

Day 424 | December 16, 2010: rest

Instead of working out, I went to the Grayslake Running Club fourth quarterly meeting. I am not a member (yet) but wanted to get a feel for the club – I have been thinking about joining for quite some time! Everyone was very nice, and one guy gave a presentation on the exhilaration of running in the winter. When we left, I told Steven, “Those are my people! They speak my [running] language!” I signed up for a yearly membership as soon as I got home. I am excited for my first run with the group.

Day 425 | December 17, 2010: rest

Day 426 | December 18, 2010: 5 m run

The sidewalks in our neighborhood are pretty icy:

so I ran in the street. Which really hurts my ankles. Does it bother anyone else’s ankles to run in the street?

I guess I should just be happy that the street aren’t entirely covered in snow and ice!

Distance: 5.0 | Start Temp: 16° | End Temp: 18° | Time: 51:17 | Avg Pace: 10:14 | 1: 9:51 | 2: 10:26 | 3: 10:21 | 4: 10:19 | 5: 10:15

Day 427 | December 19, 2010: 5 m run

Notice something new in my outfit?

Look closer!

My very own RoadID!

Erin gave it to me for Christmas! I have been asking for a RoadID for a few years now. I have a dog tag I was using, but this is much better! And I love the motto that Erin came up with “Run Strong, Think Big.” Thank you Erin!

I went back to the neighborhood park to run 5 miles. Luckily, almost all the ice and snow patches are gone from the park. Yay!

The run was slow though. Like my progressively slower splits? Ugh.

Distance: 5.0 | Start Temp: 17° | End Temp: 20° | Time: 51:17 | Avg Pace: 10:24 | 1: 10:10 | 2: 10:16 | 3: 10:23 | 4: 10:29 | 5: 10:39

Week Summary: 16.0 miles

There’s no denying it – this was a week of junk miles. My running has not been very good. I blame it on me and my lack of discipline. I haven’t been eating well, and my mind hasn’t been in the game. I think I might have to change my plan for the winter and focus on just getting the miles in, and maintain endurance  rather than distance. That is not the plan I was hoping for, but I need to be flexible and realistic!

And I am still not 100% over this cold. What. The. Eff?! Wah!

I noticed that the battery in our garmin watch dies when we let it sit for long, and it has data on it that hasn’t been downloaded yet. Does that happen to anyone else? When there is no data on it, the battery lasts a long time. Maybe it’s searching for satellites or something?