Checking the Tank

So my goal has been to get back to the starting ever since the trifecta of injuries starting as far back as 2011. The last 5K I ran was 2012. In 2015 I ran 1500 miles, most in the last half so I finally felt like I could 'race' a 5K and hope to do an April marathon.

I am mixed on how I feel. It was 26 degrees with wind chill in the teens. The course was NOT favorable and the cold win against us. I checked who was there and some local elites came out. The best time was 20 flat from a guy that is WAY faster than that. So I am trying to keep my feelings in check because I hate my time. Yet people are telling me how solid a run it is for that course and weather and previous years results (by good runners) seem to support that. I just am trying to be patient with my comeback and yet I want my old times back an more. I guess I am being selfish. Maybe I am just mad because I started too fast and the mile 2 hill ate up my mile 3 comeback.... on the positive.. I am SO THANKFUL to actually run a race again - PAIN FREE. Well except the breathing. That was painful. Garmin splits- well they add up right, but even though it was a head wind/hill mile 2 the gaps seem huge. Mile 1 5:46 flat/head wind Mile 2 8:15 uphill/wind Mile 3 downhill 6:58 The .11 was 46s (7 pace).

Cold 25, slog recovery run. Just wanted to get out for an easy 12. A few more runners out today that I have never seen before. Then I remembered the date. Resolutions abound. Time to play some lego dimensions.

26 cold. Snow flurries. Relaxed run. Lots of cars out on this first Monday of the New Year. Off to work, trying not to think of all that needs caught up on.

If I was not awake when I woke up, I certainly was when I stepped outside. 13 Degrees was brisk this morning. I layed up for it, but even with my good cold weather gloves it took a few miles until my fingers were ok. 7.5 miles, 9 striders (30s each). 

Passed people waiting for the bus. Funny they looked at me like I was crazy, but I looked at them like they were crazy. Standing out there in the cold waiting for a bus. Also came behind to girls walking and although I tried to be loud, they did not hear me. The screams made me pick up the pace. 

Quick run after work. Not much time. 32 felt so much warmer. 7:36 AP

19 and calm. 8 Miles  around the big block. Needed longer hot shower. 

34 with a steady freezing rain. Might get into the 40's for tomorrows run before dropping back down. That will be welcome. Wanted to get some striders in, but caution won out today. 

GREAT running temps today. 52. If you have seen my week this was most welcome. I know it will get cold next week, but who cares. I didn't even mind the brisk headwind. Good jump on the day and hope to run some speaker wire behing the walls today for my speakers.  

20 and cold wind. Snow and ice made the run with forced farleks so to speak. Slow on ice, fast when it was clear. Winter weather advisory should make tomorrow fun. 

29 and winter advisory. 1/2 in of snow on the ground at the start of the run, 3 inches by then end. The wind was 20mph with 30 gusts, made it difficult. Good resistance run. 

AM- 22 warming up from yesterday. 7.3 - snow and ice, lots of effort to just hover at a 10/mile pace. 

PM- 40 Much better with snow clearing. 

40 which felt VERY warm. Huge day of work which was unfortunate because I would have ran longer.

32 degrees, but COLD wind. Flurries throughout and brisk wind left me chilled. Ice patches kept my pace around 9 which is not want I wanted. That is OK though I will take the base run. Also got my smoothie afterward. The guy asked if I was running for 3 hours. I said yes how did you know, he said "I passed you on the way here when it was dark, I thought I would see you 2 hours earlier." I like that guy. No runners discount though.

3 Degrees. -17 Windchill. Wind Chill adversary said it felt -24. Nonsense. -20 at best. Luckily I only had a short run planned. Tomorrow looks to be the same and need more miles. Hello layers. Side note- I know it is holiday so some people are off work (not me, but I'm not bitter, no) but the bus stops were empty! 

The good news it that it is almost twice as warm as yesterday. So yeah 6 degrees at start and 5 when I finished. -14 WC with another wind chill warning. I have to do some training today so stopped at 7. Layering up makes it difficult to do speed work. 

22. So A lot warmer, but snow and ice like crazy. Lots of effort for just 7.5. I am not sure what I would rather have - snow and ice or bitter cold

Bike path. I think. It had lots of snow on it. 7 deer spotted. 24 degrees. Good resistance run. Vote still isnt in if I would rather have a mon/tue run OR a wed/thur run.

23 and more snow and ice to run in. Striders were tough and wind was brutal. My body was more red today than Monday as the wind was cutting through me today. Travels are soon, might get some better weather to train in. 

Holy windy run Batman! 22 with more snow and ice. Ohio is not a part of the winter storm, but wow the wind was killer. 25 MPH gusts were frequent and cut through me today. I was very chilled and ice kept my pace slow. I ran more hours this week than the last 3, but ended up with less miles. I guess the bright side is that it wasn't 3 again. 

35, sunny, good afternoon run

AM- 22, 7.1 very early. Then on the road for work.

PM- 7 on the hotel treadmill. While I do not like treamills, it was a nice break from the elements. 

Hotel Work. Only had time for this. 7:59, 6:57

On the road to FL.... 4. 3 @ mp

FInally at Siesta Key. Here for 6 days for some much needed unplugging. It was very nice to run on 62 degrees after all the winter runs. 8:11/mile. 

In siesta. 56 at the start 66 at the finish. Humidity was not too bad around 50% and like I siad before getting a break from the cold has been nice. 20 miles, 4 MP in there. 8:58 overall. 

Lots of bikes and runners out there today. Ran into a girl who was from Ohio and running Birmingham Marathon in a week or 2. Small place. Lots of cool shops and thanks to the circle K for the bathroom use. The big public beach area had water fountains and that was a HUGE plus. I was getting tired around 17 and I knew it. I did my best to keep my motivation up and the good Lord saw fit to help at mile 18. Around 18 and 1/4 a big yellow jacket decided he wanted to hang on my leg. A few jumps as if I were on fire, a swat of my hand a stomp of my foot and the crisis was solved. Yes, many eyes were on me at that point. You're welcome. 

Recovery run. Still felt good. 8:55