Training Widget

Saturday, January 31, 2009

One month complete

Ok, I think with 31 straight days, the streak is officially back on. I still am not overly excited because, as I learned last year, it can all end with one really bad day. But I am please with the progress I've made - gradually increasing my weekly mileage at a rate that hasn't lead to injury.

But at the end of the first month I have run 102 miles and for 13 hours and 2 minutes. If I can repeat that in the 28 days of Frebruary, I will be well on my way to making the 1000 days happen.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Weird weather day

I mentioned in my last post that we had an ice storm coming and sure enough, we had over 1/2 inch of sleet and freezing rain. I was able to slide through a short run yesterday while the storm was in progress without too much difficulty because at that point it was all sleet and snow. But then the freezing rain came and put a 1/4 inch glaze on everything. So today I waited as long as I could for it to warm up and melt a little before heading out. At 4:30, I noticed the temperature had climbed above 35 but it was still raining - or so I thought. I decided that was going to be my last good opportunity to run before the refreeze. As I headed out the door, the sky looked as if it was clearing off and it was then that I realized the rain was actually melting ice falling off the wires and tree limbs. Ok, cool, it shouldn't be that bad of a run. And it wasn't except for the several patches of unmelted slush and ice. The wind was swirling and it was the most bizzare wind I've ever encountered. At times, it would blow out of the north and was quite chilly. Then it would switch directions and it was like standing downwind of a campfire. I would say the wind out of the south was easily 70 or 80 degrees. It felt like a summer breeze. As it would blow by, the ice on the trees would melt even faster and it was like a downpour. Then, the wind would switch back and it would get cool. I checked the temperature again when I got home and it had warmed to 41 degrees in 28 minutes. I'd expect that at sunrise, not as the sun was going down. Very, very weird.

Monday, January 26, 2009

running before the storm

With all the winter mess headed this way, I decided I needed to get a longer run in today. I was hesitant to do this run prior to today due to all the hills, but I took it slow and enjoyed the run.

I'm hoping the winter weather doesn't prevent me from getting to 100 miles this month. I needed 25 miles after Saturday and I've clicked off nine of those already, but icy roads could be a problem.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

The Birthday Run

25 days into the new streak and another year older. Last year at this time I expected to be in much better shape than I am right now. Once the streak ended in September, I was on work travel for two months and gained almost 15 pounds. The travel ended almost two months ago now, but the weight sure doesn't fall off as fast as it goes on.

Last year on my birthday I ran a 3.6 mile run and it was 16 degrees. This year - 3.6 miles and 16 degrees. But I was not as fast - almost a minute and a half slower, but to be honest, I was just taking in the sunshine through my 3 layers of clothes.

I guess the point this year will be to try and lose some weight, run some miles, and maybe get a little faster.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Day 22

It was a bit warmer today - even broke the shorts back out for this afternoon's run. It was a nice break from the cold.

Three weeks intot he new year, the runs are coming, but I'm still not really enjoying them. I do find myself wanting to run mroe miles each week, but the motivation is still low to follow through.

I really need to get a new pair of shoes - mine are dead and I'm sure the aches and pains I'm feeling are a direct result.

In the meantime I'll continue to muddle on. 68 miles in 22 days isn't so bad.

Friday, January 16, 2009

That was cold

Today was one of those days where it just doesn't get warm. I waited as long as I could, and finally had to go out with it only 18 degrees and about to get colder. It is kind of ironic that I found out a friend of mine in Florida also started a run everyday streak on Jan 1st. I bet his run wasn't that cold today! I'll try and get him to post along with me and we can keep each other going.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

14 days and counting

The running has been going pretty well. Two weeks straight of at least 2 miles. I think I'm up to 40 miles for the year. Not getting cocky yet cause I'm still a long way from 364 days and it is supposed to get pretty cold this week. Guess I'll have to man-up.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Three days makes a streak?

Just an update - I have run the last two days. Nothing special - a 2 mile quick run before getting ready for a dinner party and today I went out for 3.6 miles on my favorite local run. One reaon I like that run is that there is a good chance of seeing wildlife and this morning was no exception. Just over a mile into the run, a small buck ran across the road and bounded through the woods to my left. I also saw a handful of squirrels running about gathering acorns under the frost covered leaves.

I did reach a milestone today in my running career - I have now logged over 13,000 miles of running since 1990. Considering I didn't run at all from 1992-1998, that isn't too bad. To put that in perspective, the circumfrence of the moon is only 6790 miles. 13,000 miles is the equivalent of running one lap around the earth at a latitude of 58 degrees (a trip that wuld take me through Juneau Alaska, Oslo Norway, and Stockholm Sweeden) Pretty far north, but still cool.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

2008 in review

Well, as you all know, the streak ended in September. What you probably don't know is that my running fell completely apart after that day. I was assigned to business travel for 2 months straight in an area where it was barely safe to run on a treadmill, let alone the street. But in 2009 I am vowing a comeback. I won't say I'm ready to attempt 1000 straight days again yet, but I did run the New Years Day 5K today. What a mess. I am so slow and I even had to stop and walk. Yep - in a 5K, I had to stop and walk. I am so ashamed. I guess it was the cold air and 20 pounds I gained traveling. The good news is, there is only one direction to go from here. Teh improvements should come fast in 2009 and I'm looking forward to being more consistent on the roads this year.

So, here are the stats from 2008 - not the greatest year considering a I ran every day for 8+ months, but still not that bad.

Days run - 287 (78%)
Total miles - 880
Total time run - 108 hours, 45 min, 37 sec
Average pace - 7:25/mile

In 2009 I hope to get that mileage back above 1000 and the average pace back down near 7:00/mile. I'm off to a good start with 5 miles in today. Just wish I could have run a little faster.