Running through the cold

The last couple of weeks have been cold, snowy, and icy. That being said I was able to get over 20 miles last week. If my face wasn't so cold that I went inside I would have had some more miles. 

I'm really working on running more consecutive days instead of large chunks of mileage. So if I want to run 8 miles, instead of running 8 miles all at once I might run 4 miles twice in one day or 4 one day and 4 on a rest day.  There would still be longer runs over the weekend.  But if it's really cold or the NCR trail is icy then I may split the miles on the treadmill.  Overall I've been running a lot of miles on the "dreadmill". I don't like running in the dark and on icy roads.

Here's to more miles.

Happy New Year and back on track

2014 has gone and we welcome 2015 and a start for new goals and new aspirations.  My aspiration is to eventually qualify for the Boston Marathon within 2 years.  I need to drop about 65 minutes from my marathon PR set in Richmond in November, 2013.  I'm hopeful that I can accomplish it, but it will take time.

I always run the Resolution Run 5KI around Patterson Park on New Year's Day.  It's a fun run, even if it is a bit hilly getting to the upper loop.  My goal was to take it easy, have fun with it and look for people to run with, if even for a little bit.  As usual I went out way to fast, in chilly temps and then held on.  One day I'll learn how to pace myself so I don't blow through my energy so quickly.  I will need that as I prepare for Pittsburgh in May.  I finished the 5K in 28:42 or about 9:11/mile.  By far not my fastest but not too bad for what I was expecting and it was nice to get 2015 off to a nice start.

In training I am really focusing on keeping my easy runs, easy.  I tend to go out a little bit too fast but still feel comfortable.  This type of harder running on my easy days doesn't work the "right systems", so I'm not working the aerobic base I need to run 26.2 miles and instead I'm going into the anaerobic space where I use up energy more quickly than I need to.  I found that if I work both systems with slower easy runs and hard tempo and interval runs and slower long runs, I am able to drop my times.  I'm really trying to focus on that.  Eventually my easy runs will be a little faster and tempo and interval runs will be harder as well.  I just have to be patient.

I'm also continuing my strength training with the IronStrength workouts.  Humbling still but it is definitely making me stronger.

I did have my physical in the last week of December which turned out fine and the labs came back fine.  I did find out that my body is changing for the better due to the endurance exercise so I will keep it up. 

It's time to get serious about my training and see what I can really accomplish.  I'm ready to see what I can do.

Happy running.