January 4, 2008

Friday, January 4, 2008
5.1 miles, 26:00 out, 24:28 in, 50:28 total. Mirror Lake route (out=down, in=up). I really like this route. I left to run at about 7:45, and it was completely overcast, very dark, almost snowing, the air heavy with moisture, laden with snow. It snowed lightly throughout the day, and sometimes during the run I could feel tiny stinging sensations from small particles of frozen water hitting me in the face, but mostly it was a very quiet, peaceful run. It was comfortably warm, about 20 degrees, maybe 24, with just a gentle, almost caressing, breeze, so I ditched the windbreaking jacket and ran with 4 soft layers: thin synthetic, thin thermal, thick thermal, cotton high neck long sleeve. I always wear gloves to start, but they usually come off within ½ mile. Even yesterday, they came off for most of the last half of the run, and it was -10 by the time I finished. I didn’t mention it in the log yesterday, but I noticed how very much harder it is to run when it gets down to -5 or less. I could feel my HR greatly elevate just to keep warm – it felt like tempo pace to run 10 minutes per mile. Today felt much better, and without the windbreaker, there was no fabric rustling – the only sound for most of the run was the squeaking of my shoes on the hardpack snow and the gentle sounds of my breathing. And I ran really, really easily! I’m not a fan at all of running “junk” miles, but tonight it felt wonderful to run effortlessly during a pleasant evening. I also did an easy set of form drills, high knees, butt kicks, wall slides (the kids call it either clydesdales or prancing ponies). I only saw three or four cars overall, and none during the middle 3 miles.

It only got down to -22 last night, but there is a long warming trend coming up. It’s actually supposed to be in the 30’s and 40’s for the next 7 days! I’ve already run 6 out of the last 7 days (31 miles running, 4 meq swimming), but if my gouty left foot can handle it (it hurts just a little after today’s run), I should get some nice running in over the next week. Tomorrow ends week number 8. First 7 weeks logged 22, 28, 26, 28, 35, 28 and 28 meq. An 8 miler tomorrow gets 35 for no. 8. Weeks 9-12 are scheduled for between 35 and 40 m/w. Next week starts one double workout per week!! I love double workouts!!!