Sean's Running Blog

Tried to get in a speed workout this afternoon but the track was buried in snow. So I just ran 12 miles instead, most of it falling snow. It was gorgeous.

Another disappointing speed workout. I was supposed to do 2x1500m @ 4:21 but wound up with a 4:29 and ridiculous 4:38. It was pretty windy but I highly doubt it was that windy. I'm really struggling with the speed stuff right now to the point that its put a damper on my excitement about building up to consistent triple-digit mileage.

7 easy miles this evening.

Weird morning where even the slightest change in elevation meant the difference between running in slick slush or bare wet pavement. I've learned that even the best headlamp can't really help in situations like this because the slush is the same color as the pavement.

We've been pounded with snow for four straight days which is fairly unusual even for the foothills of Western Washington. It's made the running less enjoyable but perseverance will make me stronger I guess. Or at least wetter and colder.

I set a new PR today. A PR for monotony. I was all dressed to go for a run and when I stepped out the door it was 34 degrees and snowing hard. Nothing was sticking to the ground but I was going to get really wet and really cold so I ran 12 miles on the treadmill at home. That is a treadmill mileage PR of at least four miles and only the third time in three years I've used our treadmill at home. I was able to throw on some music but I was admitedly bored. At least I was warm...really warm.

Overall pace was 6:40. To keep myself from complete insanity, I would play with the speed buttons to try and hit certain artificial times at various lengths. Oh the things we do to stay in good shape.

Another three miles tonight on the treadmill. I started to feel some pain in my left IT band so I quit. I had planned on six. I'll have to see how things feel in the morning during my 12-mile run outside.

A glorious day for running. 38 degrees and overcast. Not a drop of rain or snow for the entire run. I'm doing something really crazy this summer: putting on a 10k and 5k. Yes, race director will be my job even though I've had people I'm crazy. So I ran from my house down to the course to make sure both courses were close enough in distance to have them measured for real for USATF certification.

I mentioned I was having IT band trouble on the treadmill last night. I was fine during my run today but it's kind of bothering me this afternoon. I talked to my PT and he said that treadmills *can* cause some people problems because they change the mechanic of your run because you are pushing off of a moving surface. It will be a while before I use a treadmill again.

I'm headed to Amsterdam on business all next week. There is supposedly a Central Park-like park right next to my hotel so hopefully I can run there and avoid the treadmill.

First 20-mile run since before SGM. 34 degrees with snow flurries when I started. 39 and sunny by the time I finished. It was a gorgeous morning. I'm still mildly concerned about the left IT band. It doesn't hurt during the runs but gives me some discomfort afterward. I'll know more after my speed workout on Monday.