Every Run is a Great Run!

Yeah that's right - the dreaded goose egg on the running miles. Woke up to about a foot of the wettest, sloppies, goopiest snow/slop you've ever seen and realized no outside run was likely to happen today. But it's probably actually a good thing since I've had a bit of cold & scratchy throat over the weekend and I'm due for a rest week. So we'll be happy with a needed extra day off and with the 60-90 minutes of lead-weight snow shovelling. I'll try again Tuesday on the dreaded t-mill if need be.

I love this photo of Provo firemen looking at the amazing picture of Christ recovered from the aftermath of the tabernacle fire.

I think Mother Nature has some serious PMS this week!! Had to deal with about a foot of extra sloppy wet snow yesterday and figure that must be the worst of it. Kim and I had driven around last night and found some clear and fairly dry roads that we thought would work for an outside run today.

However as you can see from the photo Kim snapped early, when we woke up this morning we found at least ANOTHER FOOT of snow to deal with. So we spent the morning shoveling snow like crazy! So I'll count that as 90 min SS XT.

Managed to make it to work so that meant I would at least have the treadmill option. But I really truly hate the treadmill. Can't stand running even a few miles so I knew running 10 would not likely be very fun. It wasn't. But I keep reading other bloggers doing these massive 18-22 milers on the TM so with that though in mind I did manage to get to 10. 

To break up the monotony in the middle I decided to do a similar workout to what Kim had planned today which was 6-8 x 200 around 7 min pace or a bit faster. Afterward I realized I ended up actually doing 9. Whatever I was just glad to get this one done.

7:55/165 max 182

For a good laugh check out this animation/electronic-voice video showing a runner attempting to explain the "joy" of running to a non-runner.  For the link to work you'll probably have to have a facebook account.

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/video/video.php?v=1498758429359&comments

Got up just before 6am and was very happy to NOT see a bunch more snow to shovel, AND despite the fact that last night weather.com had predicted 100% chance of rain at this time it was actually NOT raining. Also temps in the mid-30's so not too cold, I opted for shorts and a couple long sleeve shirts and was just fine and dandy.

Ran a couple miles with Kim, being very careful to avoid all the big puddles, then I did a few hills and Kim did her own thing. Just took it easy today since I did some MP miles yesterday and my upper body is a bit sore from all the snow shoveling.

8:40

Early AM: Ran 5 nice and easy with Kim in the foggy-foggy-dew. Very light rain almost more like a mist. Probably to the average joe it looked pretty dreary and uninviting outside, but I thought it was kinda peaceful and even pleasant, even if it was a little eerie. Big highlight of the morning was Kim doing a nifty dance when she nearly tripped on a dead raccoon.

No watch, I think Kim said around 9:15 pace.

Late AM: Ran 2 more outside then 20 minutes XT. Felt good.

7:44/145

Found youtube/embeddable version of the video I posted a facebook link to earlier in the week. I must confess that I've been guilty of conversations resembling this one over the years. 

Met up at 6am with the SF running group for a Christmas Eve morning fun run. At least fun for most of us except for maybe Kimi who had plans for a 5K time trial toward the end of the run. Nice morning, no wind, not foggy as expected and a little warmer than expected (35 degrees?).

Ran with the group for about 4 miles then a couple more with Kay and Jill and then it was time for Kim's 5K. We started with a bit of downhill just to help get us "launched" and then the plan was to try and keep all the miles at least below 8 min pace so they all started with a 7.

I was quite surprised how well Kim was able to do, holding the pace close to 7:30 the whole time. There was a period at the beginning of mile 3 where we slowed down a little but then the last 1/2 mile or so she really picked it up, finishing at close to 7 min pace. Very impressive! A big 5K PR for Kim finishing in 23:20 and looking good for another PR at Painters 5K in 4 weeks.

Check out Kim's race report for all the nitty-gritty.

Nice leisurely 6 miler in the afternoon with Kim. Merry Christmas everyone!

8:58/131