Sweating it out

I am on day three of being too sick to run... so I might as well recap last week's long run!

I cut my 14-mile long run down to a 10-miler.  It was below freezing, and I was dressed well... I thought.  Then I reached a point where I couldn't keep myself warm anymore.  Please tell me I'm not the only runner that sweats through two base layers?!  I was comfortable for 9+ miles, but then I was just too sweat-laden to maintain my body temp.  Gross runner problems...

The good news is that my body felt great running, and I'm still constantly amazed by how my running fitness has improved in a year!  It was also a beautiful, peaceful afternoon on the lake.

Ice fishing anyone?

Even the deer were out enjoying it, just hanging out along the road.  They hadn't even moved when I passed by again 5 miles later.

All those spots on the hillside are deer... you'll have to trust me on that one.

I love running at this particular park because even during the winter, you pass an indoor bathroom every 5 miles.  Few things are more heavenly than indoor plumbing on a cold long run!

I'll even forgive them for the paper towel dispenser for being empty.

Another bonus of a cold-weather running is that my post-run chocolate milk stays nice and chilled just sitting in the car.

Drink boxes aren't just for the kiddos.

And if you were grossed out by the sweat... rest assured that I did clean up and shower before heading to a friend's housewarming party after!

There's no way to make iphone self-portraits look classy...

Feel like a runner

It's pretty amazing what our bodies can do in a year.

In January 2012 I was crawling bouncing back from IT Band Syndrome.  I was signed up for my first marathon just 4 months later.  I was celebrating my first pain free mile, and then my first pain free 2 mile run.

I did go on to finish my first marathon, and I will never claim that any step of that process was easy.  The long runs hurt, and I admittedly walked at least as much as I ran during most of them.  I would still ache for days.  My training commitment was lousy at best, and I spent most of the time trying to catch my breath and shake out cramps.  I paid for it in the days following the marathon.  Compression and foam rolling fun...

Now, in January 2013, I am training for marathon #2.  With the Pittsburgh Marathon again less than 4 months away I have a whole host of things going for me that I didn't have a year ago.

I can run a whole lot more than 1-2 miles pain-free!  My shortest runs are a respectable 3 miles.  My longest run this month has been 11 miles.  It felt great, and I still felt great the next day!  I have committed myself to my training plan, and I literally see and feel it working.  Long gone are the days of constantly pausing the treadmill to catch my breath.  Gone are all the excuses to not run, because making excuses was easier than pushing myself to get better.

I finally feel like a runner!

Post training run... Marathon #2 here I come!

Dressed to Run: Freezing and a wind advisory

With most of my running on the treadmill and some unseasonably warm weather this month, last Sunday was my first winter weather challenge of marathon training.

Run: 6 mile "long" run (first stepback week)

Forecast: 32 degrees (much colder with wind chill!), dry, high wind advisory

What I wore:

1. Champion long sleeve top over a Kirkland technical tank (both Costco)

2. Salomon tights (REI)

3. Columbia shell (Columbia outlet store): This is my usual "snow" jacket.  I wanted the wind protection, but I ditched the inner fleece.

4. C9 headband with ponytail hole (Target): This was the first I wore this and loved it; it didn't budge and was perfect protection.

5. Nike fleece running gloves (not pictured, Nike outlet store): Too warm but I couldn't find my lighter pair.

6. Mid-calf wool socks (Target): These were the perfect solution to keeping my toes and ankles toasty.

7. Wave Riders

Did it work? Sort of, and it was probably the best I could do.  Unfortunately, the wind was totally kicking my butt at times in the shade.  Then I would start sweating when the sun came out and wind calmed.  The  gloves were on, and off, and back on, and off again.  The jacket was zippered up, down, up, down ad nauseum.  I fluctuated between wishing I had a balaclava and wishing I had left my jacket at home.  Flexibility to adjust by the minute was key for this one!

Why I needed an SUV

Oh, today's weather put even yesterday's to shame.  I headed out earlier in anticipation of afternoon rain that never came.  I got in 9 glorious miles (+1 walking back to the car) in the warm January sun and even got a little too warm.  I couldn't have dreamed of more perfect weather for my first long run of the year!

I also discovered one more reason why I needed an SUV: to lay out all my stuff and regroup after a run.

...and to give me somewhere to sit while I change shoes.

Fact: This is never a good angle for taking pictures of your legs.

Another Fact: I bought this North Face running skirt at REI for $11 a few weeks ago.  I'm in love with it: super light fabric, great fit, and a zipper pocket.

With my re-entry into outdoor running though, I've made an interesting observation.  I'll have more to say about it late, but for now...
When running/walking on the shoulder of the road, do you run with traffic or against traffic?  Assume no sidewalks, though it is an "extra wide" shoulder intended as a walking/running path.

Surreal weather

The weather was absolutely surreal here today.  It should be freezing on January 12th.  Instead, I headed out for my 5 mile run in 63 degree weather, wearing a running skirt and t-shirt... and there was sweat.

Post run glow sweat and redness... so amazing to be running like this in January!

The park was overflowing with people enjoying the unseasonably beautiful weather, and it's always nice to be surrounded by other runners.

It was an oddly beautiful sight as well, odd sights to see when the weather feels like late Spring.  The shaded areas were still covered in inches of snow.  The lake is still iced over in most areas, creating an amazingly cool looking fog/steam(?) rising off of the water.  It was easily my most enjoyable run in a long time.

It is forecast to rain for my long run tomorrow but still just as warm.  Then it will done to usual January weather by Monday.  Rain or not, I'll be taking in every last bit of this warm weather while it lasts!

And to throw the cherry on top of this awesome day, the hubs took down our Christmas lights while I was out running.  I think he's going for sainthood!

How's the weather there?  Outdoor time today or were you stuck inside with your nose at the window or finding a treadmill?