Saturday- I met my goal. Woohoo!

Saturday- Woohooo I ran. I actually ran over 2 miles and I did it outside. I made my goal of 10 miles this week- I actually ran 10.2 but who's counting? ( me, that's who). I tried to stay within my Zone 2 HR zone. The only this is this is my cycling heart rate zone, so I am guessing that will be different from my running zones. I was running very slowly, but honestly it felt comfortable and doable. I think if I ran much faster I would have gotten discouraged and might have not met my goal. Sad, but true. I know how my mind works!

It was a brisk day for sure. The weather was in the 40's which I usually enjoy, but I also am usually accustomed to running in it by now. Not so much these days. IT was my first time outdoors for a run (read: without my daughter ) in months. I wore long Nike dri-fit loose pants and a long sleeve technical top with my cotton gloves. I felt very comfortable with this ensemble. My hands, of course were freezing, but I knew that would happen.
I ran a 10:27 pace. I really hope I can keep it up and get my pace up, all the while sticking with this Heart Rate training stuff. It's very fascinating to me for some reason!

I hope to do a nice recovery workout for at least 45 minutes...I am shooting for 60 minutes, but not sure that will happen. I also plan on my yoga at 4 pm. If I make it, this will be the 3rd week in a row. It's a great way for me to (kind of) de-stress and get ready for an active week ahead!

Saturday Long Run

I went it with the thought of running 10-11 miles and ended running 12. It felt good though. It felt waaay better than last weekends long run-that's for sure!

I was way too hot today. And then freezing cold, ,and then way too hot again. I love Michigan! My hands were ever too warm (for about 5 minutes).

It was not snowing, just a bit breezy from time to time. I ended up running the final 6 miles by myself. This will be new for me this season, but so far so good. My normal running buddies are training for a spring marathon and I am not. I don't need to be running 14-15 miles yet...so I'm not! So thankful for my iPod though!!

Tonight is the party. I can't wait!

A mostly COLD long run with some good tunage!

The weather was kind of deceiving today. It was in the high 20's when I started the run, the wind at my back. Feeling great, even up the 10 minute hill! 5 miles down and it was time for me to turn it around and head back. Holy wind in my face! I was now freezing cold, but still trying to keep up a good pace. Mainly to get back fast and be done with it! My hands did not do well. It took me at least an hour to get the feeling back in some of my finger tips after I got home.

I made a play list ( finally figured it out last night before bed) for today's run with BEP's latest double disk included. It came in handy. I also had some old Incubus (Vitamin) and some Kanye West to keep me motivated (Stronger and Champion are always good for that). I am still learning how to use my iPod, but am liking it so far. I love/hate that it is so small. I am afraid ( so is Matt) that I will lose it. I was tired of how BIG my Rio Mp3 player was though.

I think I got a bit off topic ( weather). For the past 3 long runs I have dressed totally wrong. 2 weeks ago I was under dressed. Last week I was totally overdressed and today I had it right-- until it was time to turn around. I wore a long sleeve wicking top and a vest. On the way back I wished i had more arm coverage. I usually get the whole "how to dress" thing down a week or 2 before it's time to put the winter running gear away! Oh well.

Saturday

I took Friday off. It was kind of forced as my little boy was sick! He was up basically all night and I could not fathom getting up at 5 AM to exercise. Not happening! No big deal. I wanted to take Sunday off, but life happens!

On to Saturday. Today is the first official day of my running club workouts. It was also the kick-off to get new people to join. The plan was to meet at 7AM to get in 6 miles with my running buddies and them meet at 8 am and do an additional 4 with the whole group. That's what we did too. The first 6 miles were OK. It was pitch black for 75% of the run. We took on the big Fulton Street hill with a vengeance today too. It felt kind of good! After the first 6 miles we went inside to sit in on the run club meeting. I was freezing. My sweat was drying and I started to stiffen up too. 25 minutes later we were back at it. Getting started again pretty much sucked. The wind and cold sweat-- not a good mix! We pushed the pace for our normal leisurely run. I think we were just trying to get it over with! It was that bad! Not really. It felt good to go a bit faster than normal, ,and it was only 4 miles at this pace, not 10! It was not a race!!
After the run we went back inside for lots of goodies: cookies, brownies, scones, bagels, lots of fruits, hot cocoa and coffee! I sampled a bit of the sweet stuff and even had some fruit!
It looks like a great group of veterans and there were plenty of new comers as well.
I think this year will be a great one!