Running with Charlie

I am dog sitting my daughter's dog this week.  Today at lunch I took Charlie for a short easy run in the subdivision.  Here is how Charlie runs:

Run, run, run, sniff, pee, run, run, run, run, sniff, sniff, run, run, pee, run, run, run, oh a fire hydrant, sniff, sniff, sniff, sniff, pee, run, run, run, poop, run, run, run, run, this bush smells good, run, run, run, puk, lay down and refuse to move, puk, again, refuse to move, walk home.

Needless to say I did not get much of a run in.  Note to self - take Charlie for walks and leave him home for runs.

A runner is born

Yesterday a runner was born.  I don't  know if  she will run competitively but I think at some time in her life she will run for the pure joy of running.  I like watching children run because they do it so easily.  She has perfect little runner's feet.

Rest Day

I feel good after yesterday's 13.1 mile run.  The run/walk really helps.  Today I did some Myrtle Exercises and stretches.

Back to Church

Today it was good to get back to the Church of the Long Run.  Jim and I met Kathy at Route 66 State Park.  It was a nice January morning.  Jim ran 8.5 miles and stopped after his knee started hurting.  Kathy and I continued on to complete a half marathon distance.  We never run out of things to talk about.  We had a lot of catching up to do since Kathy had been out of town.

Acorns

I went to the dentist this week.  My dentist had major surgery on his arm/shoulder.  He said he ripped a couple of muscles off the bone.  I asked him how he did this.  He said he was taking the trash out and slipped on an acorn and landed wrong.  This reminds me to be very careful of my footing when running.  Acorns can be hazardous to your health.

Running in Shorts

Today the temperature was in the low 60s.  I love shorts weather in January.  I ran five miles at Sherman Beach.  Jim stayed home because is stomach was bothering him.  The trail is a little muddy in places.  When the little snow that we had melted it made a layer of mud on the top because the ground was frozen underneath so the moisture sat on top.  Then we had rain a couple of nights ago.  I had a good run pushing the pace a  little.

My glut/hip issue is much better but still not 100%. 

Somehow my Garmin reset itself.  I think a new software update was pushed to it.  The screens were all reset.  Somehow it shows miles per hour instead of pace on the average.  I need to get the manual out and read it.

A Jim Workout

Discussion with Jim today:

Me:   I am going to run and lunch.  Do you want to go?
Jim:   How far?
Me:    I will let you decide - anywhere between 3 and 5 miles.
Jim:   Okay
Me:    How far do you want to run?
Jim:    I will see how I feel when we get there.

We went to Sherman Beach and ended up running 4 miles at a good pace - about 9 minute miles.

Easy Nine

Today Jim went with me for an easy nine mile walk/run.  He though I said 8 miles so at exactly 4 he stopped and wanted to turn around.  I told him we were doing 9 and had to keep running.  He was a good sport and ran the whole nine.  He is getting stronger and stronger.

Zero for Two

By now my slug sister I should have run two raced together in 2018.  We are zero for two.  The first race was the New Year's Day Commitment Run.  Kathy was resting some injuries so she did not run.  I did race that day.  Today we were supposed to run the Frozen Feet Half Marathon.  We both had family obligations that took precedence.  Sometime running is not the most important thing in life although it ranks high on the list.

The difference in 30 degrees

What a difference 30 degrees makes.  Two days ago it was 21 degrees when Jim and I ran.  Today it was 51.

At 21 degrees:  We were the only car at Sherman Beach
                          We saw no one else on the trail
                          We wore multiple layers

At 51 degrees:    There were several cars at Sherman Beach
                            We saw lots of people on the trail
                            We wore capris and a long sleeve shirt.

Today I made up a workout that was not too strenuous but more challenging than an easy run.  First we ran a mile warm up.  Then we ran one minute fast, followed by one minute walk then a 3 minute jog.  We repeated this for 3 miles then did a cool down for a total of 5 miles.  Jim was strong by leading the way.  Our one mile fast intervals were at a 8:00 to 8:25 pace. 

Laundry

I was folding my clean laundry.  Last week we had a couple of warm days followed by a week of frigid weather.  I had a pair of shorts and my warmest running clothes all in one load.  I have worn my running jacket more this year than any other year.  Most winters I have gotten by with just a vest.  I have need that jacket much more this year.

Running with Jim

Today  Jim and I went to the trail at 4:00 for an easy run.  I have decided to keep it easy until my hip/glut thing is healed.  This means no stride and no hard workouts.  We ran 4 miles at an average pace of 9:25.  Jim is getting his running legs back.  It was 21 degrees but the wind was cold.  I have learned to tuck my base layer into my running tights when it is cold.  This keeps the cold from reaching my belly.

Single Digits

The temperature was in the single digits today.  With the windchill it was colder than a polar bear's toenails.  It was colder in St. Louis than in Anchorage, Alaska today.  I walked to my mailbox to get the mail then decided to exercise in the house.

My runs have been in the single digits lately.  I figure I am resting my body by running short easy runs and doing cross training.

Running in snow

Today I took a short easy lunchtime run.  It was cold - in the teens.  I dressed about like I did for Saturday's run.  The difference was that Saturday I was mostly on protected trails.  Today I ran in the subdivision.  It was quite windy and there is no protection from the wind in the subdivision.  I was cold.  They plow the hill that leads up to the subdivision but they don't plow the subdivision.  Therefore, the hill was clear and the subdivision streets were snow packed.  They were not too slippery but I ran slow just in case.  My legs felt dead and I felt like I was wearing concrete boots.  It was still good to get outside.

Proper Footwear

It is very important to have proper footwear especially when running.  I love Brooks running shoes.  I have Brooks for every occasion - Ghost for streets, Glycerin for distance, Launch for speed, Cascadia for trails and Gore-Tex Ghost for wet weather.

Soon I will have a grand daughter who will need proper foot wear.  It will be a while before she needs running shoes but today she got the cutest footwear ever - UGG Boots.

Running With Friends

Today was a fabulous run with Jim, Kathy and Marti.  Here are facts:

• 16 degrees is quite comfortable running if you are dressed right
• When it is 16 degrees there are not many people on the trail and you can run 4 wide with no problems of people passing
• Running with friends makes a run go by in no time.
• Women talk more than men.

After the run Jim asked,  "How do you women run and talk at the same time?"

A chickadee and a pig

Today was warm, very warm then a cold front came through.  It would have been a good day to run outside but it did not fit in my work schedule.  I exercised in the house in the evening.

A little chickadee likes to sit on my flying pig.  It was warm enough that the ice is melting on the pond.  Jim saw a fish today.

Shorts in January

Today I went to the chiropractor.  She worked on my aches.  I think I feel better.  The temperature was in the 50s.  I wore shorts and was quite comfortable.  Jim and I ran an easy 3 miles.  My hip/glut was tight but running felt okay.  We saw Kathy on the trail.  She is also running through some pain.  I was just happy to be outside and running.  Any day I can run is a good day.

Better

My upper glut/hip issue is slowly getting better.  Today I spent 40  minutes on the elliptical trainer and did a 20 minute yoga workout.  I made an appointment to see Dr. Lauren this week.

Unscheduled Down Time

I have had a mysterious pain in my upper glut/hip area.  I don't know what caused it.  It bothered me a little when I ran on Wednesday.  Thursday it was awful.  Friday was a little better.  Yesterday no improvement.  Today maybe a little better.  I am always frustrated when I cannot run.  Right now I think if I run I will do more damage.  I am impatiently waiting to heal.  I don't like not running.  I have been stretching, and doing core and arm workouts. 

The Frozen Feet Half Marathon is only two weeks away.  Hopefully I will be feeling good by then.  It will have to be a fun training run instead of a serious race since I have not been able to train fully.  Forecast for race day is 52 degrees with light rain.  They are not good at predicting two weeks in advance.

My aching hip

I have a really weird ache.  I don't even know what to call it.  It's my hip or upper glut or something.  It really hurts.  I don't know where it came from.  I think my body is telling me to slow down and take it easy.  I am going to rest for a few days and see if it gets better.

Jim bought new foam rollers.  They are bigger than the other ones we had.  He ordered a 36 X 6 inch roller.  He is supposed to roll his back.

Lunchtime Run

Today Jim and I ran at lunchtime.  We ran 4 miles at a 9:20 pace.  Jim said it was the best he has felt running in a long time.  He set the pace.  We stopped to talk to a Marti Moore.  I forgot to re-start my watch so I lost a quarter of  a mile.  It was 20 degrees with a wind chill of 10.  It felt a little chilly but was fine.

I have an odd pain in the outside area of my right hip.  It was bothering me a little when I was running but got worse when I got home.  It is especially bad when I have been sitting a while and then get up.  I did my runner's yoga cool down and it felt fine.

Going Off Plan

With the holidays and the frigid weather I have not stuck to the plan.  I did not get a long run in this weekend. My plan was to run the 5K yesterday then do an addition 8 miles afterward.  I ran the 5K in the frigid cold.  After reading about running in very cold weather, I decided it was not wise to spend a couple hours outside running.  Today I feel fine after the 5K.  Running in the extreme cold did not hurt.  Today I exercised in the house. 

I did notice when I looking outside at 5:23 this evening that there was still a little light in the sky.  Even though it is cold as a witch's tit in a brass bra the days are slowing getting longer.

Commitment Day 5K

We signed up for the Commitment Day 5K.  At the time it seemed like a good idea.  For many races this is the case - when I sign up it seems like a good idea but when race day comes I question my sanity.  This morning it was -8 when we woke up.  It was -4 with a wind chill of -17 when the race started.  I have never run outside when it is that cold.  Jim and I discussed if we should go.  It was a very short discussion.  How do we want to start out our new year?

Here is what I wore:  Fuzzy running tights with another layer over it.  I had a third layer of wind pants but decided not to wear them.  I was glad I didn't.  On top I had a wool blend base layer with another wool long sleeve top over it.  Then I had my St. George jacket on top.  I had on a hat that covers my face and neck with only my eyes looking out.  I wore my warmest wool socks.  Then I had a pair of Smartwool gloves with a pair of mittens over them.  I was really warm and comfortable.  I unzipped my coat when I had the wind to my back.

I did my Myrtle leg swings inside then jogged around the parking lot before the race.  I took the race at a comfortable pace.  I did not want to over work my muscles in the cold.  I felt good.  I came in first in my age group.  I won a one month family membership to Lifetime Fitness.  It may be handy for some cross training.

They had been expecting 500 people for the race but less than 100 showed up and ran.  Jim said only the hard core runners would show up.  I asked him if that means he is hard core.  He said no, he just shows up to be with me. 

January first - my coldest race ever.  I had fun.

I was very proud of Jim.  He showed up and ran well.  He is still recovering and building strength.  He ran the entire race with no walk breaks.  He is a stud.