Training for a Belt Buckle

Another Sunday and a chance to rest from running.  I did walk about 4 miles this morning and Leslie and I hiked 2 miles this afternoon - but they were all easy miles.

Trying to get some Christmas decorations up so that I can feel the reason for the season.  At least I got my Christmas Cards done today and a package ready to ship to Afghanistan and another package ready to ship to Italy tomorrow.

Hoping I can do another 40 mile week this week. 

Have a great week everyone!

Struggled with depression this morning and couldn't get out of bed, so I rushed home from work as soon as I could to get my mileage in before it was dark.  Switched my one pair of sunglasses over to the orange lenses for snow and put on some of my reflective gear.  I think I am stuck in tights for a while now (sob). I was glad I had on my compression tights because they are the warmest and kept my thighs pretty warm.  I modified one of my 4 mile loops to make it a 6 mile loop and threw in a couple more uphills.

12:36/12:04/10:44/11:29/11:53/11:15

Off to the gym to work legs and abs and back and then shopping to get a few more gifts to mail a second package off to Italy before the mailing deadline hits.

Headed out early from work to get my run in before it was dark.  I ran down to the Trax Station at 90th South and then ran the Queens Pigeon Trail for a couple of miles and back.  I got nice and warm on the way out and was able to unzip and take off some layers.  My left knee was very toasty between my compression tights and a neoprene knee brace. As I turned around to head home I ran into a slight headwind and the sun was off my route, so had to start adding back on layers.

About 5.5 miles I started feeling tired. About 6.5 the left knee started hurting if I picked up my pace, but as long as I maitained a certain pace it quit twinging.

1 hr 29 min total - 12:03/11:54/11:47/11:48/11:48/11:44/11:53

Off to hit the shower and then back to the office for the evening.

Have a nice night everyone!

Leslie conned me into running a tempo run today.  I was supposed to be her pacer, but I think I turned into a nag and a coach somewhere in there. The course was relatively hilly. Not significant hills, but I really don't think there was any flat terrain in the entire run.

Mile 1 (warmup) 13:08

Tempo 3 miles: 11:03/11:05/10:54 (we were pretty consistent given the hills)

Mile 5 (cooldown) 13:11

Leslie's goal was to run faster than her previous average.  I forced the warmup mile to be slow. Tried to give her mantras for the hills and rough parts, have her look at perceived exertion and tried to motivate her with creme brulee near the end. As I mentioned to Leslie, I think she can actually go faster, but she psychs herself out.

Good job, Leslie.  You are definitely improving.

I woke up about 4:45 and was out the door a little after 5 this morning.  I was running along when I passed a sign that said it was 6:40 and realized I had run longer than I thought and rushed home to get to work.

Now - back to work.

Ran another 4 miles this afternoon. I'm ready for a nap.

May not make my 40 miles this week.  Went to the gym and ran 6 miles on the treadmill.  I was coughing a lot last night and still doing so this morning and my chest feels tight, so probably getting sick. I was planning on 10 - but no energy and decided to be smart and quit while I was alive.