Cold Outside

Baby It's Cold Outside.  Really cold.  Really, really cold.  Four weeks ago I ran a trail marathon in shorts.  Tomorrow I have a 5K and I will be lucky if the temperature hits positive numbers.  I googled "Is it safe to run in the cold".  After reading several articles I concluded it is safe if you wear proper clothing and don't go too fast.  I am planning to run.  I will re-access in the morning.

Too much food.

We went to a party last night.  We have another party tonight.  Too much food.  I need to get back to my regular eating patterns.  Today we did some shopping and I exercised indoors.

Warmer

Today Jim and I did a 5 mile easy run.  It was 25 degrees which felt warm.  I guess temperature is all relative.  We ran the trail from Sherman Beach.  I let Jim set the pace.  We took a couple of walk breaks and still came in just over a 10 minute pace.  Jim is ready for the New Year's Day 5K.

At lunch we were talking about all the miles and hard workouts I put in last year.  Jim suggested that I run races for fun this year.  That is easier said than done.  Once I pin a race number on and line up it's hard to run for fun.  I enjoy the challenge of the workouts.  I need to find a happy medium to stay healthy.

Jim went to Dr. Lauren yesterday because his back has been bothering him.  She told him to foam roll before and after runs.  He remembered this as we started the run today.  We did do our myrtle exercised.

Cold outside

Today we took Dexter for a walk in the subdivision.  He likes to see his old friends.  Jim and I noticed our legs were sore when walking down hill.  Yesterday's hill workout did not hurt at the time but we could feel it today.

Running in the cold

Today it was ten degrees when I ran.  I wore layers and was quite comfortable except my face was frozen.  By the end I couldn't talk.  Jim went with me.  We did a hill workout in the subdivision because it was one of those days we didn't want to be far from a bathroom.  We did a one mile warm up then four time down and up the hill then a cool down for a total of five miles. 

Wimping Out

Today my plan was to run an easy four miles.  It was cold.  When I looked at the temperature in the afternoon it was 10 degrees with wind chill in the single digits.  I had a little bit of a headache so I decided to hit my Nordic Track in the house.  I spent 40 minutes on the Nordic Track, did the Myrtle routine, some arm weights and planks.  I was a wimp and stayed inside.

Running in the Snow

Today Jim and I ran in the subdivision.  It was snowing and it was beautiful.  Jim is still trying to gain strength and endurance so we did a walk run.  I love running in the snow.  It is so much better than running in the rain.

Long Run in Two Parts (burping pizza)

I moved the 11 mile long run to today because I have a busy day Christmas Eve.  Jim went with me.  TJ and Pat are in town.  We took them to their favorite pizza place for lunch.  Then we did some shopping and came home to run.  Our lunch had a couple hours to settle.

We went to Sherman Beach.  After a few miles Jim decided he had too much pizza to run 11 miles.  He told me he forgot we were running and ate too much.  We talked about running all morning.  Put a pizza in front of a man and he forgets.  He told me that he would walk home then I could finish the run and drive home.  I told him that I didn't want him walking on St. Paul. I went home with him and finished the run in the subdivision.  Jim did great running.  He is still building his base. 

The run felt good.  My second half was better than my first half.  I did burp pizza the entire run.

The longest night

Today is the winter solstice.  That means it is the longest night.  It is also the shortest day.   From here forward we get more daylight every day.  That means more time to run in the daylight.  Yippee.

Today my Runner's World Magazine came.  The cover article was "Your Best Year Ever".  I thought last year was my best year every.  It will be amazing to have another best year ever in 2019.

Tempo Workout

I have a new plan to get ready for the Frozen Feet half.  The plan called for a tempo run today: one mile warm up, 2 miles tempo, 1 mile cool down.  I ran the subdivision at lunch.  The first mile was nice and slow 11:57 pace.  Then my tempo miles were 8:40 and 8:21.  The cool down was 9:24 which had down hill to make it easier.  I like getting back to having a plan and having a work out.  It feels good to push a little harder.

Jim had a luncheon with a group of friends so did not run.

Easy Run with Jim

Today at lunch Jim and I went for an easy run on the trail.  It was supposed to be 4 miles but it ended up a little longer because we needed to run to the bathroom.  I did some strides the last mile because I felt like it, then I turned around and found Jim.  Jim is still building strength and endurance.

Last spring I was working on arm strength so I could do shot put at the senior Olympics.  Since then I have neglected my arms.  Yesterday I picked up my 10 pound weights for some arm curls.  They felt like they weighed 100 pounds.  I need to remember that my legs are not the only muscles I need to work out.

Party Time

It is a party time of year.  We took a walk at my lunch break then we had a party to go to tonight. 

I have been back to doing planks for core strength.  I was doing them regularly but got out of the habit the last couple months.  They are much harder now.  I need to build that strength back by doing planks every day.  I don't like doing planks at all but I know they are good for me.

Llama vs. Alpaca

Today Jim, Kathy and I went on a run.  The original plan was for the three of us to head to Rockwood Reservation, come back to the car then finish the run on the Al Foster Trail for a total of 12-14 miles.  This gave Jim the chance to cut the run shorter since he is still building mileage.  Jim's back hurt, Kathy's glut was bothering her, I felt great.  We all cut the run short at 7 miles.  This was wise to not to further damage to aches and pains.  Kathy and I are still recovering from a marathon we ran only two weeks ago.

On the way to Rockwood Reservation we pass a field with llama and alpaca.  We had a short discussion about what was the difference.  We stopped to say hello to the llamas and alpacas.  They seemed very friendly and came to the fence to greet us.  I had to do further research.  Here is what I learned:

• Llama have long banana shaped ears.  Alpacas have shorted spear shaped ears.
• Llama are large - twice the size of alpacas
• Llamas were bred as pack animals and can carry heavy loads
• Alpacas were bred for their luxury coats.
• Llamas have a longer face than alpacas when viewed in profile
• Both are shy, quiet and easy to train and handle.  They are very intelligent and rarely bite, kick or spit.
• Alpacas and llamas can be interbred but the offspring will be neither as strong as the llama or have as beautiful coat as the alpaca.
• The Incas bred them 6000 years ago.

I guess I would be a llama.  I do not have beautiful hair but I can cover great distances.

Walking

Today was another beautiful December day.  Jim and I went to Castlewood for a nice hike.  There were a lot of people and dogs out.  The parking lots were full.  It's good to see people getting outside.  We got to pet a miniature Australian Shepard puppy named Pearl. 

I signed us up for the Commitment Day 5K on New Year's Day.  It is close to home.  A New Year's Day race is a great day to start off the new year.

December running

I have been enjoying December running.  We have had some warm days and some cool crisp days.   We have not had bitter cold yet.  Today Jim, Kathy and I went for a nice run on the trail.

Kathy gave me a photo book of pictures from all our runs in 2017.  I looked through it about twenty times.  I has been quite an amazing running year.

2019

I have been thinking about 2019 and running.  So many races to consider.

January - Frozen Feet Half Marathon
February - Castlewood Cup 15K Trail Race
March - Holy Infant Shamrock Shuffle 5K (tentative)
April - Half Marathon ???
May - Senior Olympics
July - Get Your Butt Kicked
October - 50K ??????
December - Wildwood Trail Marathon

What a difference a year makes

Last year at this time I had decided I would run a marathon.  One Marathon, just for fun and to see what I could do.  Training started January first but I spent the month of December psyching myself up.  My only goal was to finish the marathon and hopefully set a PR.  I followed the training plan and enjoyed the workouts and the Sunday long runs with Kathy.  I had a blast in Cincinnati and set a PR.  Goal accomplished.  Check that off the list.  Done with marathons for another 5 years, right?

Not only did I set a PR, I came close enough to a Boston Qualifying time that I thought I could qualify on a favorable course.  Kathy came up with an idea to run St. George.  New race, new training plan, new goal.  A few weeks after Cincinnati, I pulled my hamstring running sprints at the Senior Olympics.  I was in pain for the first two months of training but with the help of Dr. Lauren the chiropractor I was able to train for the St. George.  St. George was so much fun.  I set a new PR and got a BQ.  Goal accomplished.  Check that off the list.  Done with marathons until Boston, right?

Wildwood had a trail marathon on my home turf.  On my trails.  How could I not run it?  How hard would a trail marathon be?  After recovery from St. George there was not a lot of time for a training plan for Wildwood.  It would be a run for fun.  It was fun.  Check that off the list.  I don't think I can wait for Boston to run another marathon.  I need a plan.

I have thought about my running year.  Three marathons.  Setting PRs and a BQ at age 62.  Is that what Grandmas are supposed to do?  None of it would be possible without my slug sister Kathy.  It has been my best running year ever, even with the hamstring issue.

Easy Lunch Run

Today at lunch Jim and I went to the trail and did an easy run.  I let Jim set the pace.  He did great!  We took a couple walk breaks but mostly ran.  He will be ready for the Frozen Feet.  It was 32 degrees which is quite comfortable if you are dressed right. 

I was looking for 50K races.  I have found some things about 50Ks:
They are trail races.  Whoever plans them thinks that the more difficult they are the better.
They sometimes include t-shirts but more often have hats, socks, arm warmers or some other swag.
Most of them are small races (there are not enough crazy people to have a 50k for thousands).
Sometimes they have events in the dark.

I saw that Wildwood announced that the Wildwood Trail Marathon will be held next year on Dec 2.  Save the date!

Back to Running

After a one week self imposed rest period, today I ran.  Jim ran for the first time in weeks.  Kathy also ran for the first time since the trail marathon.  We ran an easy 10 miles at Route 66 State Park.  Jim Ran seven which was amazing considering he is still recovering from being sick and he hasn't run.  He will continue to improve and be ready for the half marathon.

It was in the low thirties when we started.  Thirty degrees is very pleasant for running if you are dressed right.  My legs felt great.  The rest must have done its job.

Day Off

Today was a day off work and a day off running.  I really feel like running but I am forcing myself to take a week off to recover from the marathon.  Jim and I took a hike on the Stinging Nettle Trail.  We also did some shopping.

Tonight we watched two running movies.  First we watched a movie called "Desert Runners".  It was about a group of non professional runners who decided to run the four grueling 150 mile desert races in one year.  They were in the Atacama Desert, Gobi, Sahara and Antartica.  They proved that normal everyday people can accomplish amazing things if they put their minds to it.  Jim told me not to let Kathy watch this movie or she would want to talk me into running it.  I don't think so.  Running across sand in 120 degree heat does not appeal to me.  (Someone died in one of the races)  Desert running can be dangerous

The second movie was called "Run For Your Life.  It was about Fred Lebow and the New York Marathon.  .  

Party Time

Today I worked then I went to a party in the evening.  It's only been four days since I ran the trail marathon and I feel ready to run.  I know that rest is good for me.  I know that taking a week off is important after a marathon.  I am looking forward to running again.

More Recovery

I am feeling great today.  I have been up and down the stairs and my legs feel fine.  I feel lost without running but I know I need to rest for a week.  I have been doing yoga and walking.  I need to put together a plan for the Wildwood Frozen Feet Half Marathon.  I like having a plan.

Recovery Walk

This evening Jim and I took a walk through the subdivision.  From our house up the hill and around all the subdivision streets is 2.6 miles.  It was a lovely evening to put on a winter coat and enjoy the Christmas lights.  When I am resting after a marathon I get antsy and need to get outside and move my legs.  A walk feels good.  My quads are still sore. 

Reflecting on the trail marathon, I had a blast.  It was a beautiful day and I love the trails.  I think we exceeded our expectations.  I hope they have the race again next year.

Recovery

I feel much better than I felt the day after St. George.  I can walk up and down the stairs without supporting myself on the handrail.  My quads are sore but nothing like after St. George.  Oddly, my left ankle hurts.  I don't remember twisting it or landing weird on the race but it is tender today.  Besides that I feel great.

With each race I get smarter with my recovery.  I drink plenty water.  I wear compression tights.  I use the foam roller and do gentle yoga.  I am already looking for my next great adventure.  I just don't know what that will be.  For some reason I want to run a 50K.  Is that crazy?  I

Wildwood Trail Marathon

Today was the Wildwood Trail Marathon.  I was excited but apprehensive.  I thought we would come in at about 6 hours if all went well.  If we got really tired it could be closer to 7 hours.  We crushed it with a finish time of 5:21:18.  This was an average pace of 12:16 which is only a minute off the Skippo 20K pace of 12:15.  I am still not sure how we did it.

I came in first in my age group.  There was a woman that we were leap frogging most of the race.  I thought she was the other woman in my age group.  We were just ahead of her but she took off out of aid station #4 a minute ahead of us.  I wasn't going to even try to catch up.  I ended up coming in first because she started in wave 2 and my total time was less.

Kathy came in 4th.  The three women ahead of her were 50, 51, and 52.  If they would have had five year age groups she would have been first in 55-59.  She is first in my mind all the time.

I felt good the whole race.  I was very tired at the end.  It was a beautiful day. 

Marathon Eve

I can't believe it.  Tomorrow is the trail marathon.  It seems like we first heard about it last summer when we were training for St. George.  We thought maybe we would run it if we felt well after St. George.  Maybe turned into probably, then probably turned into definitely.  And here I am running a trail marathon tomorrow wondering, "What was I thinking?"

Last night Kathy and I put together our plan while the slug husbands watched football.  The plan is to run the first two miles very easy then switch to a 4/1 run/walk.  Make sure to eat and hydrate.  Don't die. 

Today I spent 5 hours in the car.  I did drink water all day and had spaghetti for dinner.  I am as ready as I can be.