Rosswog Running Blog

Since I was trying to catch up on my studies and workload, I went out for an evening run.  Starting out just after 5:00 p.m., I could immediately feel the brutality of frigid air even though I was wearing four layers of clothing.  Needless to say, it only got colder.  I ran over a thin layer of snow and ice to Big Cottonwood Park then completed five-and-a-half laps around the softball complex in an attempt to warm up before heading further away from home.  However, I did not warm up that much and it was a little bit boring running in circles; therefore, I head out on an out-and-back course to Oakridge Elementary.  When I reached the bridge that crosses Wasatch Boulevard (i.e., around 4200 South), my hands felt frozen even though I was wearing mittens.  As a result, I just wrapped my hands inside my vest and ran across the bridge that was unbelievably icy.  From Churchill Junior High School, I just began the half-mile ascent to Oakridge hoping that the climb would restore some of my body heat.  It actually worked; that is, once at the school my hands and body were feeling warm.  Plus, the amazing view of the Salt Lake Valley lights helped take my mind off the literally snot-freezing cold temperature.  On my descent, I ran cautiously (i.e., looking out for black ice) while trying to keep up the pace in order to retain my body heat.  In total, I ran 12.2 miles and even though it was at a slow pace, it felt like one heck of an accomplishment.

Finally, in regards to my non-running workout, while watching football, I was able to get in 300 sit-ups and 30 push-ups.

Besides a couple of short runs totaling 1.4 miles outside in the snow before and after work, I mainly stuck to the treadmill today.  Following work, I ran 4.7 miles with 2.2 miles of this distance being at marathon pace.

I was finally able to get in just a little bit of weight lifting back into my non-running workout that consisted of 300 sit-ups, 30 push-ups, 50 (16 lbs) curls, and 10 (50 lbs) reverse curls.

For the second day in a row, I totaled 6.1 miles of running with 1.5 miles of running outside in the freezing cold and the remaining 4.6 miles on the treadmill.  Out of the treadmill miles, I was able to complete 3.3 miles at marathon pace

In regards to my non-running workout, it was another short and concise day consisting of 300 sit-ups and 30 push-ups.

Following work I hit the treadmill and completed 3.6 miles at an easy pace with a half mile of this distance in my Nike Frees.  My legs sure felt heavy today, so I was unable to pick up the pace.  Consequently, I saved the second half of my workout for my evening run, which consisted of jogging over to Big Cottonwood Park and completing three laps around the softball complex then heading back for a total distance of 2.7 miles.  It was a little cold outside, but I’m hoping that the frigid temperature is good for my muscles (i.e., like an ice bath).

My non-running consisted of 300 sit-ups, 30 push-ups, and 100 (16 lbs) curls.

After attending my work's Holiday Party, I hit the treadmill and knocked out 3.2 miles with 2.2 miles at marathon pace and one mile at an easy pace.  As a Follow-up to this workout, I went out for a short evening run over to Big Cottonwood Park where I completed three laps around the softball complex before taking the long way home.  Even though my eyes watered then froze up a little bit (i.e., got a slushy feeling to them), it felt great to get some fresh air during this run that covered 2.9 miles.

For the most part, today was a treadmill day for me.  During breaks from work, I knocked out 5.8 miles on the treadmill.  In regards to this distance, eight-tenths of a mile was in my Nike Frees and 3.8 miles was at marathon pace.  After I got home from work, I went outside for a short 0.8-mile jog around the neighborhood.

Finally, my non-running workout consisted of 300 sit-ups, 30 push-ups, and 150 (16 lbs) curls.

I woke up this morning to snow-covered streets, but the temperature was a little bit warmer than it has been over the last couple of weeks.  However, I still bundled up before jogging the 2.1-mile distance up to the Salt Lake Running Company to meet up with my Saturday-morning running group.  Initially we only planned to cover four miles for this group run (i.e., the distance called for by the Salt Lake Marathon training schedule); however, we stretched our run out to 6.5 miles.  For this workout, at an average pace of 7:28, we ran up to 1700 East and completed two loops up to 1900 East and between roughly 2400 South and 3300 South before heading back to the store.

Following this great group workout, I ran at an easy pace down to Liberty Park where I completed a single lap around the park then headed back to home for a distance of exactly 10.0 miles.  In total, I ran 18.6-miles--my longest run since the Philadelphia Marathon--at a relatively easy pace.

Lastly, I completed what has become my typical weekend non-running workout by doing 300 sit-up and 30 push-ups.