The Running Thread

[washing machine]

Good run, Joe! Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Hope you all get some good shoe deals on black friday and finish your 2021 goals afterwards.

[washing machine]

So far failing the test of mental fortitude that is cold weather* running.

I had a seven miler on the schedule for 5:30am today that I put off until tomorrow AM. Stated reasons are that I worked late last night, didn't eat the best, and it just makes more sense to run it tomorrow morning on better rest. Actual reasons are mostly that it just felt great in bed when the alarm went off and I don't have the proper beanie for my poor ears and head.

Really need to get this run in tomorrow morning to prove something to myself. Going to be a lot more mornings like this, come race training time next month.

*

Spoiler: show

Adjusted for Texas. Temps in the 40s are perceived by most Texans the same way below freezing temps wherever you live are perceived, probably.

[epilogue]

My ideal running temp is 46-53 depending on sunshine and wind.

[washing machine]

I just have to reaquaint myself with it. If it wasn't drizzly and overcast here I'd be all over it. Keep in mind, I'm waking up before sunrise for these long runs so that definitely factors in. Or maybe if I just had the right beanie.

[epilogue]

The proper gear is definitely key

[lennytheweedwhacker]

I do that kinda thing all the time, Reid.

I did 3 miles today at 29:40. Not my best effort but just needed to get out there. Hopefully my body is back to normal next week.

[washing machine]

You should do winter grit with me, len. You're ready.

You should do it too, Joe.

https://runsignup.com/Race/MD/Baltimore/Grit

[lennytheweedwhacker]

I couldn’t get beyond Level 1 anytime soon

[washing machine]

You could.

[lennytheweedwhacker]

You could.

The short days make it difficult enough to stay consistent.

[lennytheweedwhacker]

12 miles a week is my current goal so maybe I can barely break into Level 2 by January.

[epilogue]

I believe in you Lenny!

[washing machine]

The challenge starts January 1st.

Just cover the distance, lenny. No one cares if you walk, run, stop, or sprint. The shorter days suck if you love daylight running, but you're consistent enough already to power thru it.

[lennytheweedwhacker]

The challenge starts January 1st.

Just cover the distance, lenny. No one cares if you walk, run, stop, or sprint. The shorter days suck if you love daylight running, but you're consistent enough already to power thru it.

Yeah if it starts January I have a much better chance. And yes I want to be daylight exclusive.
If I do 3 tomorrow I’ll have 14 in a week. That may be a personal record.

Thanks Joe.

[epilogue]

Got back out today after taking several days off. I hadn't run since my race on Thanksgiving. Did 6.75 miles. Felt good. Took it slow, didn't even think at all about pace. I almost didn't even bring my watch just to keep myself from thinking about it.

[washing machine]

Got back out today after taking several days off. I hadn't run since my race on Thanksgiving. Did 6.75 miles. Felt good. Took it slow, didn't even think at all about pace. I almost didn't even bring my watch just to keep myself from thinking about it.

Now that's running.

[washing machine]

On an opposite note, I realized that my 3-month 1/2 marathon training block starts December 13th, giving me a couple of weeks to really fuck around. I think this week I'm just going to go crazy and run as many miles as I can without regard to rest days or speed days or long runs or anything. This morning I messed around on the technical trails in memorial park for 5 miles. Ended up on the horse trail leading to the houston polo fields. Tripped on a root near horse shit. Good times.

Next week I can take a solid rest. Maybe a 5k or two and that's it. I hate having blank weeks on Strava in 2021.


For the half, I'm doing Higdon's Novice 2 program if anyone wants to join me.

[lennytheweedwhacker]

I'm being a complete bum right now, but I've felt so lethargic at times. Crashed hard yesterday afternoon, then couldn't get out of bed this morning. Then I was going to go after work today but just finished up and my motivation is shot. I'm going to have to stop working a little early tomorrow and get out there. I also need to at least try a morning or two, but man it's cold af.

Also, I left my watch charger at my parents' house over Thanksgiving so I may pull a Joey this week.

[lennytheweedwhacker]

On an opposite note, I realized that my 3-month 1/2 marathon training block starts December 13th, giving me a couple of weeks to really fuck around. I think this week I'm just going to go crazy and run as many miles as I can without regard to rest days or speed days or long runs or anything. This morning I messed around on the technical trails in memorial park for 5 miles. Ended up on the horse trail leading to the houston polo fields. Tripped on a root near horse shit. Good times.

Next week I can take a solid rest. Maybe a 5k or two and that's it. I hate having blank weeks on Strava in 2021.


For the half, I'm doing Higdon's Novice 2 program if anyone wants to join me.

How many miles do you typically run in one session, and do you need any recovery days or can you generally go back out the next day?

[washing machine]

I try to run 4 days a week, but I can pull a streak for a few days if I feel like it. Can't do that every week of course, hence the 4 days with rest in between as part of my regular routine.

Mileage-wise, I try to hit at least 3-4 miles for two of those runs, a little higher in the middle of the week, and a "long run" that adds miles incrementally week after week (with a 'reset' to scale it back every four weeks or so.) My longest "long run" so far has been 9 miles, which felt great. Honestly, the long runs feel better than the short ones because I take it very slow. Between 9:45 and 10 mins a mile