Craptastic Test Run

The bad, energy-sapping head cold prevailed again today. It didn't really feel much better than yesterday, but also not that much worse. I decided to head out for a run as a test. I learned I felt like dog poop.

Ran 5.5 miles @ 8:46/mile pace.
Paved roads.
Very hilly.
Around 30 degrees, overcast.
Saucony Kinvara 2, long tights, windbreaker, short sleeve shirt, beanie, gloves.

A Glass of White Whine

Yesterday was a planned rest day. That was difficult, given that I suspect enough snow had fallen by the afternoon to cover up the bare patches on the trails, making it okay to snowshoe. I bought new Dion's a week or so ago, and this would have been my first good chance to use them. Under normal circumstances, I'd say to heck with the rest day and go out for a short jaunt. I was feeling like total crap, however, thanks to a nasty head cold so I stayed true to the planned rest day.

And now today, it's 40 degrees and the sun is shining. In fact, as I type this, a bright sunbeam is threatening to blind me if I move my head a few inches to the right. It would be a great day to run. But no, the head cold feels better than yesterday and the temptation is great, but better to take another day off as I don't feel I'm good enough to go just yet without risking a set back. #$%@!!!!

I suspect I'll be good to go tomorrow. Better now than race day on Sunday for the Mid-Winter 10-Mile Classic, I suppose.

End of whining...

Shuffling the Days

I'm due for a rest day and would have taken it today, but I have a staff meeting tomorrow and the weather looks somewhat questionable then as well. So, I ran today so I could take tomorrow off instead.

Short and easy today. Have a bit of a head cold coming on, so truth be told I was glad to be done and didn't feel like battling the wind. Bed early tonight and plenty of OJ on tap. I'll get some fresh garlic tomorrow if I still don't feel so well.

Ran 5.0 miles @ 8:16/mile pace.
Paved roads.
Slightly hilly.
Lower 30s, sunny, windy.
Saucony Kinvara 2, long tights, windbreaker, short sleeved shirt, beanie, gloves.

Capping Off a Solid Week

Today's recovery run brought me to 71.4 miles for the week. Pretty happy with that. Quality workouts as well. I wouldn't call it perfect though. Would feel a little better if maybe I could have worked in four or fives at tempo pace into Thursday's run, but all in all not bad.

Recap:
M - 5.0 easy
T - 12.7 tempo
W - 7.0 recovery
H - 12.4 moderate
F - 5.2 easy
S - 20.9 long w/ hill repeats
S - 8.2 recovery

Total = 71.4 miles

Not planning on a duplicate for the upcoming week, given the Mid-Winter 10-Mile Classic is on Sunday. I'd like to do well with that and race it hard, so maybe looking at a 45-50 mile week. The race will serve as my main hard and fast workout, but would like to work in a shorter tempo run maybe on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Ran 8.2 miles @ 8:45/mile pace.
Paved roads.
Mostly flat.
Around 40 degrees, sunny, breezy.
Brooks Mach 13, long pants, windbreaker, long sleeved shirt, beanie, gloves (off and on). Was overdressed.

Beautiful Loop + Hill Repeats = Brutal Fun

Ian said it best: In trail conditions like today's, running alone would have really sucked. But with a group of good friends, it was an absolute blast. Ian, Jeremy, Zak and I ran the Beautiful Loop and tacked on four repeats up and down Bradbury Mountain via the Lunchbreak route to get in a brutal, but very fun long run. Mindy and Val were just behind us also did the same route. Jim and Andy also ran with us for a good bit before calling it a day early. 

Most of the trails in the first stretch were actually in very good shape for running. Packed snow and easy to move on. Not many slushy spots to dodge. However, that would soon change. The power line trails were sketchy, complete with hidden pitfalls that would plunge feet into icy puddles, several water crossings, and detours needed to get around open rivers and sections of trails that were coated in slushy ice water.

It was a blast.

Then we reached Lunchbreak Hill, which begins at a school and goes all the way to the summit of Bradbury Mountain. The plan was four repeats (each round trip about 1.5 miles) and we all agreed to go at our respective paces. Jeremy crushed it, of course, and Ian and I did them together with Zak not far behind, but on the fourth one he blew past us and easily cruised to the top.

After that fourth one, we rejoiced on the summit and enjoyed the downhill back to our cars where we regrouped at Edna and Lucy's for a feast. Great day! My legs will feel this one tomorrow.

Here are some pictures I stole from Ian:

Elevation

Powerline trails portion

Came up a little short on the this jump

Breaking through the ice isn't very good for the shins

Ran 20.9 miles @ 10:45/mile pace.

Trails, packed snow, slush, ice, puddles, rivers, streams. 

Extremely hilly. 

Lower to upper 30s, sunny to mostly cloudy. 

Adidas Adizero XT, shorts, short sleeved shirt, long sleeved shirt, beanie (off and on), gloves, Salomon 45 waterbelt. 

Useless Weather

Some snow and slush last night, but only for a little while and then it was followed by rain. Lot's and lots of rain. By the afternoon, the streets and sidewalks were dotted with ponds and where there wasn't water, there was slush.

This weather doesn't do anyone any real favors. Winter sports like Nordic skiing, downhill skiing and snowshoeing are threatened. Winter activities like snowmobiling and ice fishing are also difficult to do. In summer, a lot of rain is typically welcomed by farmers. But rain in the heart of a Maine winter? Nobody really benefits. I'm guessing that the only people who are liking this weather are folks who would rather live elsewhere.

At least the rain had stopped by the time I left the school. Thankfully, I just had a short easy/recovery run on tap today anyway. Ran the Armory loop three times, knowing the route didn't have as many puddles and mounds of melting sleet to contend with. Nice to get out, despite the early November weather.

Ran 5.2 miles @ 8:45/mile pace.
Paved roads.
Slightly hilly.
Mid 30s, overcast.
Brooks Mach 13, long tights, windbreaker, short sleeved shirt, beanie, gloves.

Hilly Dozen

Nice run after work today on some hilly backroads. My mind always wanders when I run, but today I got so lost in my own thoughts that a couple of times I honest to goodness forgot where I was. It was really weird. Just thinking a lot about the current book I'm working on. I really feel it overshadows everything else I've written so far, but who's to say if that's the case or not.

But I digress... Good run. Really enjoyed myself out there and it went well. Pace was supposed to be slower, but I ended up dropping it down a notch or two towards the end. I'm at peace with that, as the weather seems a bit schizo for tomorrow and it'll make it easier mentally to take an easy day if need be.

Ran 12.4 miles @ 7:42/mile pace.
Paved roads.
Very hilly.
Upper to mid 30s, mostly cloudy.
Saucony Kinvara 2, long tights, windbreaker, short sleeved shirt, beanie, gloves (off and on).