Where's the Donuts?

Took the weekend off from running just because I felt like taking a break, came back with the 11th St-Shore Drive loop today. I'm looking forward to when it isn't so dark in the morning. I'm not real excited about my training the past few weeks, but I remembered this morning that I have met my goal for the first part of winter -- to maintain some consistency and run regularly -- even if the volume and quality of miles could be improved. That'll be the next step, and why I'm looking forward to more daylight and better weather. I guess it's a good day to write about goals. I just realized it's New Year's Eve, Happy 2009 everyone.

I caved in to my seasonal affective disorder or whatever it is that makes me a pansy about running on rainy mornings, and joined the YMCA. So, I ran on a treadmill and I'll likely do more of that for the next month since it's crummy out all the time. We'll see how this little experiment goes, I've never been a big treadmill guy. Maybe it's Cody's blog subliminally telling me to do it. Anyway, 3.5 at a 7:30 clip, then another one-plus at 7 min and cooled down slower. Not too bad, it was kind of nice to get into a rhythm since I usually battle hills all the time. 

Treadmill weather again. 1 mile at 8 min, 4 at 7:30. I'll head outside tomorrow regardless, can't get too comfy during the winter. I don't love the indoor running, but the option has helped my mindset a bit. 

Another day, another downpour, but this time I'm not trying to whine. I met up with the running club in Port Orchard, groups take off at different times from this dock and run on a nice country road right along the shoreline. I met two other guys for 8 miles at 6:30, when it was pouring and really gusty. A little tailwind heading out and a huge headwind coming back in. Good run though, and having company on a morning like this makes all the difference. We ran 8 min. miles despite the winds, I think I was pushing a little bit (I was reminded once that 'we like to run slow on Saturdays.' I got the hint.) Legs felt good though, nice to feel the road instead of every step on the treadmill.

It was neat being out on the road and meeting other people coming and going out -- it's an out-and-back that everyone does. The only thing I missed out on was the group's post-run breakfast, no hash browns are good enough to justify me sitting there like a drowned rat for an extra hour. Next time I bring a change of clothes. In any case, I'm excited about meeting some other runners.