Studded Running Shoes!

With the new snow we got last night, and the fact that the sidewalks are never cleared, I decided to finally put studs in my ("old") shoes.  My husband said last winter he'd do it for me, and he still hadn't...so I went to Home Depot, spent $1.91 on 3/8" sheetmetal screws with hex heads (that's with the military discount) and then came home and coincidentally found said hubby's cordless drill with a super thin bit in it - and used that for pilot holes. I put three on each side of the forefoot, and two on each side of the heel. They were a major pain in the ass to screw in, but after about 30 minutes I got it and they look great. And work great. I just got back from a wonderful 5.7 mile run (I gave up on the last .3 because it was more and more and more uphill back to the house, and I haven't run in several weeks, so eh).

I ran on the trail to Sheridan. The trail was great!  Had a 50% response to the "hi"s, and there were several pups, including two labs - a yellow and a chocolate (they were of the same family and very beautiful and well-mannered), and one Aussie-looking young'n who I was dying to pet. There were also a couple shepherd-mixes, and a purebred Shepherd with sunglasses.  I wanted to ask what was up with that.

When I set out, it was 10*, and a little after 1 PM.  When I finished, it was a little warmer.  I was wearing my UA compression tights, the new Storm Gear grey pants that I bought with the Dick's gift card Joey gave me for Christmas, my Thorlo running socks with King Soopers bags over them, then tied around my ankle and over the running pants; on top I had the Columbia sleeveless white warm/cool top Mom got me for Christmas, plus the UA long sleeve grey-ish v-neck warm top, with the new grey/pink UA Storm Gear hoodie (=sweat), plus the white Alabama windbreaker over that. I also wore my green neck gator, and my Carhart hat with the face muffle. I didn't wear the stuff over my face past about mile 2.

I was super comfy, and definitely warm enough.

On the way home, there's a blue 4 bedroom house across from the middle school, on the east side of Pierce.  A guy was out shoveling, and we exchanged a few words (started with "how're you doing?" and me thanking him for shoveling, because so many people don't).  Turns out, he's a Vietnam vet, and we talked about the city of Westminster (related to shoveling, etc.), and then guns. I had to go, to get back home to the dogs and to figure out if I was going to go out to the Crawl Space to meet everyone, but I hope to run into him again soon. It's nice to know there's someone like that so close.  I think his name is Lauren (Loren?) Brown.  Chris would love talking with him, I'm nearly certain.  He (Mr. Brown) mentioned that he wouldn't recognize me if he saw me again, since I was all bundled up.

Goals

I've started a chart at home, of the events I want to participate in, in the coming year.  The biggest problem is the fact that the MS150 bike race conflicts with the Pike's Peak Hill Climb. I've wanted to attend the Hill Climb for years and years, and have never been. Chris and Joey vowed that they're doing it next year - which means I'm on my own for the bike ride. I'm hoping I can register soon, so that I can start building a team. Plus, if I register soon, I can get an (I think) free room through the college.  Hopefully I won't have a problem building a team for the event. I'll miss my family, but they will be having their own blast in Colorado Springs.

Wings for Life was great this year, and I'm hoping to do it again next year - but Denver's not on the site.  I hope that's just "yet" - not that it won't be held at all.

Also on the goal menu for next year are 14ers.  I need to get with Donna and anyone else who might be interested, and plan ahead for them.  I think Long's Peak is something like a 12 hour hike. It's going to take some planning and training.

Now, just to get through the winter again...hopefully with biking a bit, too!

Update on Statistics

Update on monthly totals:
August 2013:
70.39 miles (running)
30.39 (biking)
14.05 (hiking)

September 2013:

87.75 (running)
5.32 (biking)
4.11 (hiking)

October 2013:
61.25 (running)

November 2013:
79.23 (running)

December 2013:
73.73 (running)

January 2014:
88.47 miles

February 2014:
56.99 (running)

March 2014:
65.31 (running)
42.91 (biking)

April 2014:
52.88 (running)
96.32 (biking)
13.69 (hiking)

May 2014:
61.91 (running)
50.34 (biking)
3.0 (hiking)

June 2014:
42.55 (running)
236.32 (biking)
5 (hiking)

July 2014:
45.81 (running)
115.30 (riding)
11 (hiking)

August 2014:
54.03 (running)
38.52 (biking)
18.63 (hiking)

September 2014:
75.83 (running)
27.67 (biking)

October 2014:
79.24 (running)

November 2014:
37.12 (running - pathetic!)
3.92 (hiking)
4.96 (biking)
:45 minutes (elliptical)

December 2014
25.19 (running - even more pathetic!)
:45 minutes (elliptical)

I really need to bike more. Have to get a bike rack, which means I need to get a bumper with a receiver in it (as opposed to a hang-down aftermarket U-Haul receiver or something that I'll scrape on rocks).

Finished! (The Other Half in Moab)

Yay! I did it!  Actually made it, participated, and finished The Other Half in Moab on October 19, 2014.  I did it in 2:14.  This put me at a 10:11 mm pace, 498 out of 1095 runners, and 36 out of 115 in my F40-44 age group.  These results are what I'm going to use as my baseline, and I'm going to do speedwork and try to do more than just finish next time.  Now, to find a late winter half that I can train for, through the winter.  Have to keep the momentum...

Half Marathon Training...in the Rain

Yesterday's training called for 8 miles.  Yesterday's forecast called for weather in the 50s, and rain, which it delivered.  Because I'm slow and it takes me 80 minutes to run 8 miles, I opted to run after work. Which meant in the chilly rain, and dark.  The windbreaker set that I purchased for $20 in Alabama last year wasn't water resistant, I quickly learned. Not that I 100% thought it would be, but I was hoping.

The first half of the run involved plodding through, and jumping over, puddles, because it was actually raining for real. Not pouring, not drizzle, but a steady, sopping rain. My feet would be cold and soaked, and then I would forget about them until the next puddle. My clothes stuck to my skin (running tights under the windbreaker bottoms, long-sleeve top under the windbreaker upper shell, baseball hat, gloves) and made movement a little interesting/pullish.

But, having said all that - I did it! I did the whole eight miles, and felt great.  The 8 stopped about a half mile from the house, so I wound up jogging the rest of the way home, because I was getting cold walking.  Hot shower and jammies was my immediate next step, which was awesome.

My remaining long run prior to the half next Sunday, is 9 this Sunday.  The weather's supposed to be great.

Questionable Fuel

This past weekend, my training plan called for a long run of 8 miles on Sunday.  We had a wheeling trip planned, but had to get home in time for the Broncos game, so I was all geared up to run as soon as we got home, mid-afternoon, when the game started.  However, we didn't take the time to stop to eat lunch while out on the trail, since we were in such a hurry to get home timely.

So, my pre-run fuel consisted of several handfuls of cheese Ruffles, two oatmeal cream pies, and half a bottle of Mountain Dew (plus a half a gallon of Eldorado water).

And don't you know, the run kicked ass (I did my "city lap" twice). I don't like what that's telling me...I feel better when I eat like a hippie.  But man, junk food sure can fuel a run.

Noted.

4 Miles 9-14-14

Last night's run sucked. I mean, it was great because I was able to do it (for which I am daily and eternally grateful), and because Skyler came with me on his bike - but it was nothing like the last couple longer runs where I've been faster than ever (for me) and felt high as a kite and bullet proof. This run was a totally average pace, and it was a little tougher than normal.  Disappointing.  Skyler spotting the (possibly juvie great horned) owl on the telephone pole by the railroad tracks was super cool, though. That put him at about eye-level with us, since we were going over the bridge over the railroad tracks on 92nd by Carrabba's.

I'm a little worried about the trail closing by the house until November 1. I'm guessing it's already closed - there were signs last week announcing that it would be closed until November 1, but it wasn't actually closed yet - but surely that meant the closure was/is imminent. I believe they have "detours" and I'm guessing it's just the one or two bridges affected by the light rail crap along 36...but totally have to go check that out and see what effect that's going to have on the running/biking.  I'd been curious if that trail was open year-round (I didn't run on it last winter, because dark), and I guess that answers that question, yay!

I'm dreading all the coughing and hoarking that's going on at home and at work - I'm really hoping for an epic eight miler this weekend, and to be healthy, and trained, for the Moab Half in a month.

Not running- or wheeling-related...Chris said he wants to ski Vail this season when I go.  Well, he's going to snowboard, not ski.  I wish I had the patience to try boarding again, but life is just too short (and I'm too old).