Off

I tallied up my mileage for the week, 20.5. My goal was to get in 20. I am so not running today.

Earning It

This cold weather is starting to wear on me, partially because I typically don't run this frequently Jan-Mar. My season usually ends in December, then I take it easy for a few months before picking back up in late march...but since I took off 6 weeks post marathon, I am more inclined to start running now. 

I am more motivated to run today than I was yesterday, but my motivation only equates to about a 3 mile run. I am not feeling the 7 miler I had planned. I know I need the mileage, I know I will regret is come Sunday if I only run 3. As I am getting ready to head out the door (after my husband comes in from his 10 miler, mind you) we are discussing dinner plans. We settle on brinner (breakfast for dinner)...apple pancakes. I know I have to earn those, between the carbalicious cakes and the sugary maple syrup. I. can. do. it.

I head out the door and immediately start running to kick start my run...I'm already salivating over the pancakes. It's snowing and very cold, not mention there is an atypical running crowd for this time/day/weather (i.e. very crowded). I decide to run the 5 mile loop around the park and hope that I'll have enough will power to tack on another 2 at the end.

To my surprise, it feels good. Comfortable even. After completing the first loop, my legs feel no fatigue. I am surprised considering I barely eked out 5.2 miles last Saturday. Just one additional week of running has really made me feel stronger. I start to see glimpses of my marathon fitness. I am totally doing 2 more miles.

I decided to head off the main road and finish my last 2 miles in the snow, which was beautiful but more challenging than I anticipated. The snow has hardened on the bridle path and there are these narrow packed tracks that us runners are jockeying for. Tricky. But hey, I figure I am getting a core workout as the uneven ground threatens to knock me off kilter. I round out my run for an even 7. For pancakes!

Reluctance

It's Friday. It's freezing. Snow still blankets the ground. I do not want to go out on a run, but I know I need to. I have my long run tomorrow, so I know today can be easy, and short, but this does not make me want to soften my resolve...finally I gather a small amount of motivation to head out the door. My keys are missing. Oh how easy it would be at this point to say, oh well I don't have keys so I can't go (my husband and son were at the museum for the afternoon).

I dialed my husband's cell phone. I knew if I called him I would have to go because I had left my keys in my sons's bag, which was now being carted around the museum, and he would encourage me to run and come get them. He did, so I did. 

I ran down to the museum, met them in lobby to grab my keys, and headed back out into the cold. Still reluctant, I wound around the area of the park nearest to our apartment, so I could wuss out whenever I wanted and go home of course. I wrapped up my run after circling the castle and great lawn, then came home and mapped it out. A whopping 2.7 miles, and I will take it. 

Snow Packed

There is just something about seeing my breath when I'm running in sub-freezing temperatures. Admittedly, I am reluctant to step out the door when the temperature drops below 30 (ok, 40). 

Being cold natured my entire life has lent itself to many unproductive, curled up days. But the days that I do convince myself to run in the cold, it somehow feels like more of an accomplishment because I can literally see my body at work as I hammer through a work out. It's like the slow motion segments of those triumphant sports films when the underdog athlete exhales just before he surprises everyone...well maybe that's is a bit exaggerated...

Tonight's workout was a quick 2 laps around the reservoir for 3.2 miles on a snow packed track. While the footing was tricky in all of the snow, the Manhattan skyline at sunset was simply salient.

Snow Day =

No run today :) ... see you tomorrow ...

1/11/11

I wish I could think of something cool to write about on 1/11/11, or maybe that is geeky, but in any case I don't have anything unique or clever or even snarky to say. So. Looks like I'll just be posting my run today...ran 3.2 miles around the park, half of it on the snowy bridle path (which was both beautiful and a more challenging workout). I was looking for an easy recovery run after yesterday's hill workout (can you believe I had to get my husband to massage my quads and hams last night? pitiful). 

Once I returned home, I realized I needed to run to the grocery store, so I decided to literally run to Whole Foods. Tacked on a few more tenths to round out my daily total to 4 miles. NY is supposed to get 8+ inches of snow during the night so I have already resolved to take the day off tomorrow and play in the snow instead!

To the Hills

I have been enjoying my runs with my husband, and today as we headed out the door he lightly suggested that we hit the North Hills, for a little change of pace. Change of pace is putting it mildly, I'm really not quite sure you can qualify the rate at which I progressed up the back hill as running. But still, a workout is a workout and we motored through 3.6 miles. Ouch. 

The first two weeks back to training are always the hardest, and this workout was not exempt, but in a way it felt good. Looking forward to an easy recovery run tomorrow. Who would have thought after all of the long hill workouts I ran last Fall I would need a recovery run after a, by comparison, measly 3.6 mile hill run? 

Winding in a Snow-y Wonderland

The park remains beautiful and snow covered, it really has made me feel transported to a somehow foreign training ground. My husband and I decided to run through the woods on winding, snow packed trails for part of our run, a total of 3.2 miles. Love it! 


I ended my week with 18 miles. Next week, my goal is 20+.

"Long" Run

As aforementioned, I had to take more time off after the marathon than I anticipated, so it is time for me to start my climb back up to a respectable base long run distance. My goal today was to cover 6 miles. Yes, I have only been running between 2 and 3.5 miles, and it is brutally cold and snowy, and, and, and. I just have to do it. Thankfully I had my transient running partner with me. 

We headed to the South end of the park on the snowy bridle path, hopped back onto the road up the East side, but then when it came to the fork where running straight meant 6 miles and turning left meant 5.2 miles...my body said too much too soon, don't be stupid. As pitiful as I felt, I softened my resolve to hammer out 6, turned left and headed home. I will take the 5.2!

OFF

My sister flew into town today, so since I've been having a good week, I bagged running today to hang out... plus since she is in town, my husband and I will get to run together everyday that she is here because she can watch my son...a few good running days in front of me...