A breath of fresh air

I ran first thing this morning.  It wasn't too cold.  The run felt comfortable and easy.

We pulled back our curtain this morning to find out it was snowing again.  (Thank goodness we had four days in January when the temperature got to 40 degrees.  I don't think I'd be able to get out the door if the snow hadn't been able to melt a couple times.)  The snow stopped around noon.  Will and I got outside about 3 pm.  We worked very hard at finding cleared sidewalks  We live by busy roads, so the perfectly cleared streets weren't an opption.  For about three quarters of a mile, I had to push the jogging stroller through four inches of snow.  What a work out!  My arms got so tired.  At one point, I crossed four lanes of traffic twice seeking out cleared walks.

It was a good run.  I was able to find plowed sidewalks.  Will enjoyed himself for the most part.  I loved the warm temperatures--30 degrees with wind chill 24.  I am very pleased I stuck with it and first of all, got out the door and secondly, made it more than three miles.

Will and I made to the indoor track.  I tried to use counters.  My counters were actually seven pieces of cereal.  Will hadn't eat breakfast, so I brought a long a good bit of food.  I hadn't realized the cereal would come in so handy.

My counters helped some.  I still lost count a couple times, but overall using the counters and my watch were more helpful than just the watch.  Here are my mile plus splits (a mile is 6 3/4 laps, I just make it an even seven):

9:01--just tried to get my legs moving. I tried to keep my lap splits to 1:20

8:50--after this mile, I felt like I could push it more.

8:35--got confused on which lap I was on six or seven.  I figured it out, but the confusion me slowed down a little on the last lap.

My 3 plus tempo run was 26:26.  Like the last tempo run, I felt like there was a lot going on--steering the stroller (it's veering to the right), the counters, and of course making sure Will is doing okay.  So, I feel like I felt I left a bit out there.  I am glad I put some faster miles in.

Because I was disappointed in yesterday's jogging stroller tempo run, I decide to try to get in another tempo run this week.  I wanted the run to be a go all out/run as fast as I can tempo run.  I didn't know when that run would happen.  But when Lars offered to watch Will yesterday morning and the temperature was 30 degrees, I knew it was the perfect time to get it in.

Here are my half mile splits.

3:57--I was going to do quarter splits, but I missed the first marker.  Later I found it buried underneath some snow and ice.

3:43--This half might be a second or two off because I had to move off the trail and wait from a maintenance truck to drive by.  I don't think I pressed my stopwatch quick enough when I started again.

3:46--A touch of head wind, but nothing serious.

3:35--I tried to give this last half mile all I could.  It felt terrible, but I was flying.  I wondered to myself if this is what people feel like when Sasha runs them to the finish line.  I felt like I pushed myself very hard, but from what everyone has said, it seems like Sasha gets you to run four notches harder than what you think is your hardest.

So, a 7:40 and a 7:21 for 15:01 on 2 miles!  That's a new record for me, if the trail is marked accurately.  It's probably not.  But, that's okay.  It was a great tempo run.  I felt like I gave it everything I had.

The storm started yesterday as freezing rain around noon.  I took this picture from our apartment about eleven this morning.  The snowflakes finally stopped this afternoon around 3:30.  The lumps behind the bike rack are the cars in the parking lot.  The snow covered tarps are our bikes.  Poor bikes.

I went running at two.  There weren't many cars out.  Except for about a quarter of a mile, I was able to run in the road.  But that quarter of a mile was brutal.  I was doing high-knees the whole time through a foot of snow.  What a work out!  Definitely, a fun adventure.

The strom's over, so more people were cautiously out and about.  My hunt for plowed sidewalks led me to a new running route.  The loop snakes through the east side of campus and part of a neighborhood.  I didn't run through the neighborhood section today because I was tried of doing high knees workouts.  Four tenths of a mile was plenty for me.  And I didn't wear leggings under my pants, so my legs were bathed in snow again and again.  I am grateful for plowed sidewalks.

I took the ipod on my run.  The music was a nice change.  I listen to "Chocolate" by Snow Patrol three times.  My favorite lines were "This could be the very minute, I'm aware I'm alive, All these places feel like home" and "On my knees I think clearer."  I also enjoyed "Mysterious Ways" and "Where the Streets have no Name" by U2.

The weather was great--21 degrees and NO wind!  This meant 21 degrees really felt like 21 degrees.  More sidewalks were plowed, so I decided to take a "sidewalky" route.  I still ended up with seven tenths of a mile in unplowed snow.  However, five tenths were by choice.  There were plowed walks on the other side of the road.  I didn't want to wait for the traffic light.

This run was tough.  I was pretty tired during and after the three mile tempo run.  My body didn't feel as fresh as it did for the tempo run on Tuesday.  Here are the mile splits.

7:50--tired

7:44--tired and breathing very hard

7:55--tired, breathing very hard, and didn't enjoy the head wind.

23:29.  I was so happy when it was over, but I still over five miles to go.  The wind started to pick-up.  The forecast said to expect gusts up to 40 mph.  Wind is not my favorite.  During the seventh mile, I was wishing for another beanie.  But, I survived and came out conqueror.

Will and I went to the indoor track this morning.  I dread the track a little.  I worry about Will being content for five miles.  I feel like all the people around that might be bugged if Will is complaining.  But, my worries were for nothing.  It was a pleasant trip to the track.

I left my watch at home.  Ya!  I enjoy running without my watch.  And I used cereal as counters again.  It worked very well.  I didn't lose track of what lap I was on!  I did strides on the 3rd and 6th laps of miles 2, 3, and 4.  My legs felt sore during the strides.

This afternoon, I did lunges and abs with my sister.

My goal for the pace of my tempo run today was between 8:00 and 8:30.  I decided to try for quarter between 2:00 and 2:05.

Here are my mile splits.

8:15--I was very pleased.  I was trying to keep the pace quick, but not impossible.

7:59--I messed up.  I didn't realize I was going faster on my third and fourth quarters.

8:09--Fatigue started to set in.  I tried to remind myself that I didn't have to push it, just keep it steady.  During the last quarter, I got angry.  Up head was another park maintenance truck.  My thought was, "Don't they realize I am trying to get my tempo run in!!!  How dare they force me off the path!"  As the truck passed flinging sand everywhere, I remembered that it's the truck that keeps the path cleared of snow and ice.  I am grateful for the cleared path.  I will never have evil thoughts about the park maintenances truck again.  (Lately, I've been the biggest hot head.  I am grateful my husband is still speaking to me.)

So, my three mile tempo run turned out well, 24:23.  I didn't feel as tuckered as I did after Saturday's tempo run.  The temperature was 15 degrees; the wind chill was 6.  The light snow wasn't a big deal.  Only two snowflakes flew in my eye.

Will and I were out doing errands and someone commented on the good weather.  My husband came home from classes and commented on the beautiful day.  It was a nice day.  Sunny.  Not much wind.  But, I did check the temperature when my husband got home--it was 13! and the wind chill was 6 degrees.  Aren't Iowans crazy!  It's a wonderful day when the high is 14. 

Will and I were back at the indoor track again this morning.  The warm up mile and cool down mile seemed to take longer than the other three.  The strides went well.  I would tell Will how long it would be until we'd run fast again.  Just before we started, I'd say, "On your mark. Get set."  And Will would say, "Go!"  During the last two laps, we sang "Itsy-Bitsy-Spider," "Once there was a Snowman," "I'm a little Tea Pot," and "The Wheels on the Bus."

My lap counters were raisins today.

It's official.  Will is allergic to peanuts and I am now versed in the directions of administering EpiPens.  My perfect little boy won't be able to eat open face peanut butter and honey sandwiches or honey roasted peanuts or Pad Thai. 

I feel lucky I got to squeeze in a run today.  I had a physical at 3 pm, so it was back at the doctor's.  (Will and I were at the doctor's and getting ointments and EpiPens from 7:40 to 1:10 pm.)  When I got home, my husband pleasantly surprised me by telling me he'd watch Will while I went running.  What a Valentine gift!  It was an easy five miles.

I feel tired.  I better go to bed.

Although a mile and a half is covered in snow, I decided to run the hilly Camp Cardinal loop.  It was pretty slow going, but enjoyable.

I have come to a realization--I have survived the winter.  Of course, it's not over.  (We are supposed to get another eight inches of snow this weekend.)  But, I seriously feel like I can handle anything that Old Man Winter throws at me.

Another snow/ice storm?  No big deal.

More fierce wind?  Give me your worse.

Negative temperatures?  BRING IT ON!

It was a wonderful day for a run--28 degrees and sunshine.  I did a mile and a half warm up before the tempo run.  Here are my mile splits.

8:13

8:07

7:57--I think the tail wind helped.

My goal was 2:05 quarters.  My first quarter was 2:10.  After that, I think I had a 2:05, but I everything else was quicker.  I felt fine.  I kept reminding myself to relax and that I didn't have to go fast.

The next six and a half miles went okay.  I was very tired by the ninth mile.  I took a new route for the last five miles and discovered two more running trails.

Next week, I am going to do the tempo run more in the middle of the long run and try out a new trail.

Saturday night's freezing rain left a very thick layer of ice and Sunday's blizzard left four inches of snow.  It took a half an hour to clear off the car, so it was safe to drive.  My fingers were so cold in my gloves.  It was 7 degrees, but the wind chill was -14.  Will and I were on our way to the indoor track.  We drove very slowly.  Our tires spun a bit here and there, but we made it safely there and back.

The run went well.  I think they reverse direction every week.  We were turning right today which is harder on me because the jogging stroller veers to the left.  But, all in all, the run was relaxing--very comfortable pace.  Although my hamstrings were tight, the six strides went well.  I felt strong.  Will did well also.  He ate a roll that I made yesterday, copied the motions of the group of girls doing crunches (he put his hands on either side of his head, had his elbows out, and would bend forward), and said "hi" to most of the runners we passed.

After the run, I needed to use restroom.  Will got to run down the straight-a-way on our way to and from the restroom.  He ran right down the middle of the outside lane.  He was so happy to be on the track with all the other runners.  What a cute guy.

Ice.  Still lots of Ice.  There was one mile stretch where I just shuffled and skated--no running.  Fortunately, I only fell once.  My knees got the worst of it.  Bruises, nothing big.  I was grateful every time the ice was dusted with snow or there was a bit of pavement peaking through.

The temperature was -7 degrees when Will and I went to run.  The wind chill was -24!  Fortunately, Will and I were heading to the indoor track. 

During the first stide, my legs were a little stiff.  The other five felt great.  I love blowing by other runners on the track, only for them to pass me again once the stride is over.  It makes for a fun game and passes the time.  And the laps did pass quickly today.  Before I knew it, Will and I were back in the car.

Still slick outside.  I slipped a lot, but didn't fall.  Yeah!  Once I got to the marked trail, there was enough sand on the ice for a tempo run.  My quarters ranged from 1:58 to 2:11 and the faster quarters came during the most cleared stretch of the trail.  Here are my splits.

8:26--very stiff from the leg workout I did with my sister yesterday

8:22--felt much better this mile

8:18--still had energy for one more mile

8:21--tried to enjoy it

So, 33:27!  Not bad for slick ground and being a bit stiff. 

Today I figured I had two options.  1) Very wet feet.  or  2) More bruises.  I was tired of slipping and wanted to do six strides, so I favored the slush over the ice.  My socks and shoes were pretty soaked.

My right hip is bothering me again.  However, once I was warmed up it felt fine.

Not very enjoyable today.  My plan was to run to a new marked trail three miles away, run a mile on the trail, run a four mile tempo run on that one mile stretch, and then run the four miles home.  Only the first three and last three miles went according to plan.  Three quarters into the marked trail there was CONSTRUCTION!  I had to run across the river and down a couple sets of stairs a few times to find where the trail picked up again.  Then there were a few traffic lights.  When things settled down, I still didn't want to start a tempo run.  After at least three miles on the trail and my construction detour, I decided to turn around and make an attempt at a tempo run.  I know my first mile split 8:31.   I couldn't keep track of any other splits because of the construction, stairs, and lights.  I finished the 2.75 miles in just over 25 minutes.  I tried to keep the pace quick, but comfortable.  There was still a lot of ice and slush.  My feet were soaked again when I got back.  My body felt exhausted and achy.  My hip doesn't feel good.  Hopefully my body will feel better on Monday.

Will and I were back at the indoor track today.  I was still stiff during the first mile and the first stride.  But, got the five miles with six strides done and I didn't feel too tired afterward.

I ran nice and easy through the snow, slush, and ice.  My hip is thanking me for showing it some love.  I don't feel quite so achy tonight.

Yesterday and Saturday I couldn't get my right shoe to feel normal.  It kept rubbing and hurting the outside of my foot, just below the ankle.  Thankfully, today my shoe felt normal again.  Another plus was my feet didn't get as wet today.  However, there was a layer of snow frozen on the top of my shoes.  Maybe it was a protective frozen shield that helped my feet keep dry.

24 degrees.  Wind chill 9 degrees.  Lots of wind today.  I am grateful the sun was shining.

Will and I were back at the indoor track today.  The strides went well.  During our 34 laps, we were entertained by a juggler practicing his routine.  He'd throw the pins up really high and had as many as six going at one time.  Unfortunately, he didn't juggle knives or torches.

Afterward, Will and I checked out a fenced-in area that is inside the lanes.  The area looks like a mini ice skating rink, but with a rubber track floor.  Will was able to run around while I stretched.

It's snowing again.

My right shoe was rubbing again just below my ankle.  I stopped to tie my shoes four times on my way to the trail.  Fourth time's a charm.  However, on my way back home from the trail, my shoe started to rub my ankle again.  I moved the tongue in my shoe.  It helped a little, but I didn't mess with it any more.  I was more eager to get home, so I endured the last mile.

Here are my tempo run splits.

8:21--First quarter was 2:09

8:01--Surprised at how much faster this mile was

8:09

8:06

So, 32:37.  Very pleased.  But, during the run I couldn't see how I can keep it up for thirteen miles.  Then I reminded myself it wouldn't be snow and wind flying in my face, there wouldn't be ice and snow on the ground, I'd have the race atmosphere, and it would be at least thirty degrees warm.

My feet were soaked by the time I was done.  I could feel the water sloshing around in my shoes.  But, at least I was warm enough.

Today I realized that I had forgotten about the corn fields.  They were everywhere when we moved here last summer.  I am looking forward to seeing them again.