How Much Discomfort Can I Tolerate?!

Weather - 32 degrees, cloudy.

The colder weather is not too inspiring, so I ran just an easy 4 miles today.

#366

I made this print a few days ago :

Wyalusing, WI, No. 1
Printed 2008

Weather - 31 degrees, cloudy, snowing, windy.

I was not intimidated by the weather, so I ran the now routine South Farms/MBK loop. It felt nice to run in the first snow, although it was only light flakes with nothing on the ground. The final 5 miles were into a stiff wind, so it was a challenge to finish. I kept my mind on the Jimmy Johns sandwich awaiting me at the end of the run, that was good inspiration.

I stopped at the 2 mile mark of the run to do 3 sets of strength exercises, then I started the run again.

#367

A few days ago I made a print of the sculpture which I pass during the MBK portion of the loop. A few weeks ago there was a field burn and the black earth, gloomy sky, and the sculpture seemed like a powerful combination. I'm not sure I expressed its essence, but it felt good to  try.

November Loss
Printed 2008

Weather - 32 degrees, sunny, no wind.

The usual, 13.75 miles and a Jimmy John's sandwich.

#368

A print made last week :

The Railyard, Winter Study
Printed 2008

Weather - 40-45 degrees, sunny, windy.

13.75 miles, 3 sets of strength exercises, and 1 Jimmy John's sandwich.

I registered today for the Clinton Lake 30 mile Trail Run on March 28, 2009. Game on...

#369

Print made a couple of weeks ago :

Wyalusing, WI, No. 2
Printed 2008

Weather - 32 degrees, cloudy, windy.

I was planning to run short, but before I knew it I had already covered 7 or 8 miles, so I decided to challenge myself and go long. When I turned into the 15mph wind at mile 9 I had to slow down and it was a struggle to move forward. 

At mile 15 I reached the arboretum hill, and I stopped, thinking the run was over. I was tired, I had been running against the wind for 6 miles, and the last thing I wanted to do was run up the hill. But my mind became inspired, thinking - "I have run 15 miles to get to this point, which is really the start line of the long run. Do I really want to stop at the starting line?" I started running up the hill and so had my answer.

The final 5 miles were on the South Farms/MBK loop, and it was not as pleasant as the first time around. I now had to battle my growing fatigue along with the elements, but I am happy to say I completed the run, and I feel it was one of my more gutsy training runs.

I did the whole run without food or water, and since I did not bring any money along, could not even reward myself afterward with a Jimmy John's sandwich.

The 2 mile walk home against the wind seemed more difficult than the preceeding 20 miles. I was tired and could not keep my eyes open, I wanted to lay down on someone's front lawn and fall asleep. I was happy when I arrived at my doorstep.

#370

I made this print 2 days ago :

The Railyard, Autumn Study
Printed 2008

Weather - 27 degrees, sunny.

I realized today when I started my run that somehwhere in the last 2 or 3 months I have become stronger and fitter. How else to explain feeling fresh as a daisy the day after a tough 20 miler? 

I felt like running another 20, or at the least, my usual 13.75 route, but yesterday at mile 15 I promised my body a short easy one today, so I settled for a South Farms/MBK half loop.

Last year at this time 6.5 miles was my long run. Amazing how far one can go in one year.

After the run 3 sets of strength exercises and 30 minute walk home.

#371

Printed last month :

The Railyard, Winter Study
Printed 2008

Weather - 29 degrees, cloudy.

Just an easy 4 miles. I wanted to give my body 2 days of short running for recovery. Feeling good, just being safe.

Afterward 3 sets of strength exercises, stretching, and 30 minute walk home.

#372

Printed a couple of days ago :