01/10:

Denise and I did 5.5 past Lake Artemesia and north into the UM campus today. Artemesia is about 80% frozen over, thick enough for a snow goose to walk across it. They have a preference for the water, though. I remarked to Denise that so far this winter, we've run on more frozen water than in all our previous winters.

1/8/10: more miles

6 miles. 27F. no wind. NB tights, Nike base, Nike pullover, ears, polartec gloves. Hands got really cold on second 3 miles.

1/7/10: just some miles

3 miles. 24F/17F windchill. Shorts, Nike base, full sweats, ears, polartec gloves.

01/03/2010: Back in the Saddle Redux

A few days ago, I posted with title "Back in the Saddle". A marathon runner isn't really 'back in the saddle' until his long runs meet or exceed 17 miles, in my opinion. As a beginning runner, I remember being put off by a celebrated coach at his definition of long run as anything at or longer than 17 miles. I've come to understand why this threshold distance is important: it is roughly the point where the runner has burned more calories than the body can store as glycogen. This training encourages the body to use a higher ratio of fat to carbohydrate earlier in the run in order to conserve the latter for longer distances. This is crucial in the marathon.

Today, I ran 18 miles, my first long run since the 2009 MCM. Life events have converged to preclude the focus running such a distance until today. Somewhat unfortunately, the weather did not totally contribute. I started at 14F (-3F windchill) and finished at 20F (4F windchill). The physical challenge of running in the windy cold took more energy than a usual 18-miler and I was somewhat burned out for the rest of the day. Furthermore, I felt a touch of strain behind my right knee cap, probably an indication that its time to retire my cushioning shoes at 360 miles and maybe even consider going back to stability shoes which invariably lasted to 400 miles with no issues.

Apparel: Full face hood, heavy mitts, Mizuno gloves, N. base layer, Prajna pullover, Sugoi vest, heavy RRS tights, UA briefs. Was comfortable.
146.6/14.7%
31:19, 33:23, 31:29, 31:38, 31:13, 30:49

01/01/2010: New Year, Full Moon

I've run every New Year's day since I returned to running in 2004. This year the need to log miles was heightened: the 37F, 31F windchill, is the best weather we expect in several days. During the 9 miles, I watched the sun set on 2010's first day and the temps drop from 37/31 to 32/27F. Denise ran the first 3 with me, then I ran the next 6 alone, a bit too fast. It was just nice to run far and fast, despite a little occasional discomfort in my right knee.

An hour later, in the blustery wind, I took Peanut out to see a full moon coming up in a windy, cold night.

This will be a long cold winter. I feel the weight of new beginnings, opportunity bracketed by challenge, and the need to do this year what did last year, only better.

(NB tights, N pullover, UA tee, RC gloves)
(34:37; 30:36; 29:28)