A breath of fresh air

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.

I was not looking forward to today's run.  I didn't want to find out if my right shoe was still hurting my ankle.  I didn't want wet feet again.  My shoes hadn't dried out from yesterday.  But, I got myself out the door.

The second mile was all ice and puddles.  I slowed down when I couldn't see an obvious way around the massive puddles.  Most of the time I ended up running through snow to avoid the lakes on the sidewalk.  After that second mile, there were just puddles here and there.

Here are my splits.

8:19

8:12

8:03

8:03

Another 32:37!  However, after the tempo run, my shoe started to bother my ankle again.  I retied my shoe two times on my way home, but it didn't help.  Oh, well.  At least my feet were drier than yesterday.