Boston Training 2020: Week 6: The time of the January thaw

Yep, you heard that right. 

Monday and Tuesday were cold and nasty, and then, BAM. spring came. 

And it. IS. AWESOME. 

Here you have last week, Cold mon/tues and THEN. BETTER.

It has been consistently in the upper 30's and low 40's. This weekend's snow storm was actually in the form of rain. And (most of) the roads are nice and clear. 

So this was week six. I feel like the foundation has been built, and it is time for the real work to commence. Yay?? 

I had a fine, but totally unexciting treadmill 6 last Tuesday. 

Wednesday was speed day, a day when we said a final goodbye to 800's. (which I think is actually a lie. I'll probably do a couple during taper.) Either way, I did 7 at 7:30-7:36.

On Thursday I scooted (labored) over Bitch hill. The weather was quality, and it seemed wise to use my outdoor time to hit some hills. "Hills" on the treadmill never feel like the real deal to me. 

It was clear that more of this needs to happen- I was like "ughhhhhhhh steeeeeep woooooof."

I had a remarkably blah 16 miler on Saturday. My legs took miles to warm up. I felt like I was running uphill into a massive headwind until mile five, which just seems rude. Of course, during those miles I both had to pee, and was stopped by a random walker to "look at animal tracks, possibly a lynx or a mountain lion!!!" I quickly determined that they were tracks from my own dog. I told her "those are tracks from a WILD VIZSLA!!!!" She was more curious than I bargained for, and I had to curb the conversation as I was racing dusk. 

The run continued in an uninspired manner, especially when I hit over a mile of back road in decidedly poor condition. Despite the warm weather, it was full blown snow, ice and ZERO traction. On a day when one is already feeling like they have flat tires, this was a real smack in the teeth. Anyway. I persevered. 

With about 4 miles to go, I merged onto another, blissfully un-snowy, dirt road. Before long, I realized that I was seeing animal prints to pique my own interest. "Hmmmm" I thought to myself "This was one snazzy dog...." Of course, a short time later, I realized that I was actually tracking a WILD VIZSLA. Sure enough, I came across him soon enough and had to stop for a chat, as he is Ellie's full brother, and the only other Vizsla within 50 miles of us. I actually enjoyed seeing him so much, that the remaining miles of the run were the most pleasant of the day. 

I'm very honest with myself when it comes to stopped time during long runs. With 8+ minutes of stoped time during this one, I was feeling somewhat displeased. However, I know that in the big picture it makes no difference because dawdling is not a habitual thing for me. (I will always stop to pee-and there is just NO way I can manage a long run without 2 plus quick pee stops. But that is nature calling, and will also happen in a race.) 

So the meal of my story. Stop all you want. Do whatever. But be honest with yourself about your actual, honest-to-Garmin moving time. 

On Sunday I ran the easiest 5 miles that ever existed, and then the week was over. 

I'm being proactive for the first time ever. I have been remembering to stretch, foam roll and get ahead of the hip/back problems (those actually hinge more on snow than running- but shoveling is bound to happen....) 

Stats:
Total miles: 42.0
Long run: 16
Coldest Day: Tuesday was a high of 19 which was not pleasant. 

*we should just note, that Wednesday was the start of a lengthy January thaw*Snow NONE just rain this week
Random: I take note of all the road trash while I run. Bud light cans. One orange glove. A long, long screwdriver. One cashew. I see it all. 

Boston Training 2020: Week 5. The time when winter came, and it got cold

This was another perfectly fine week of work. Despite some cold and snowy weather, I continued along right on schedule.

On Monday, I headed out for  6 miler which ended up taking place in an unexpected storm. Things were just fine when I headed out, but drastically changed at the point when I was as far away as could be. It was instant ice- a HUGE mess, and I'm thankful that I met zero traffic on my return trip.

Covered in ice chunks

My mid week runs were all treadmill. At some point I did 6x800 at the infamous 7:36 pace that I seem to gravitate towards.

Saturday long run was done in some COLD (18 degree) weather, and in the aftermath of a decent sized snow storm on Thursday. The challenging footing (either glazed over road, or snow that was similar to beach sand) made things more challenging than one might wish for. However, I got the workout done, I stayed warm, and my legs cooperated.

It has been cold and snowy

Sunday's recovery run was in possibly even grosser conditions. Another good sized storm moved through overnight, and temps rose to about 33 during the day. When I headed out, the roads were covered with a remarkable amount of slush, slime and grossness. Lovely.

I was happy with this week of running and can notice that my legs are coming back. I'll be easing into some slightly higher mileage for February, with the big workouts scheduled for March.

I don't have any "training" races scheduled prior to Boston. I managed to spend all my race cash on Boston, and a fall race for 2020 so I plan to pass on other race options. If Boston doesn't yield a BQ for me, I'll make a plan change and shoot for a smaller, local marathon if I feel that is the correct choice (as in: I fail to BQ due to a shitty day, not a stupid injury or similar.)
The past two years I have run the Mid Winter Classic, and then Hyannis (marathon in '18, half in '19) It's nice to have supported long runs, but I don't mind passing this year to save some cash. I can make the training happen in my own.

Stats:
Total miles: 36.2
Long run: 14
Coldest Day: COLD. A high of 10 with bad wind chills. 
Snow: 9" Thursday, 7" Saturday  
Random: even though I have been running for a while, the thought of running two miles still seems almost unfathomable! Like, I'll drive two miles and my subconscious will say "a person could never run THIS far!!" Weird.

Boston Training 2020: Week 4. The time that running became slightly better

As the title implies, it was a better week on the training front. I feel like I was noticing the (slight) fitness benefits of a few consistent weeks, which was pleasant and helpful.
Strava sent me some helpful stats from last year. I should have tried to estimate the bike mileage I put in prior to MCM, because it would have brought those numbers up a bit.

Another pretty straightforward week. A couple treadmill runs, including 12x400 at 7:30's. Not super fast for 400's but it never makes a huge difference. The thing about speedwork is it all helps in the end- and while it's nice to be hitting wicked fast paces, it's better to just do SOMETHING then avoid it, in terror, over the wicked fast paces.
(quality training advice)

I had a decent enough, VERY warm (over 50) 12-ish miler over the weekend with no ill effects. While I am really not concerned about my summer leg condition returning (since we rarely hike in the winter) it is still good to feel no pain.

There was a full moon. Which meant the dog wanted to wake up in the night and look at it!!

I was contemplating my summer leg/lameness issues the other day. The number of time I rolled my damn ankle last summer was just insane. I ended up with so many issues because of that, and I was congratulating myself on clearly being stronger/more coordinated now.
SADLY, that is not it. All winter long, I wear boots. (I work outdoors) and my boots keep me from constantly straining my ankle. Actually, I can imagine that my ankles are mostly likely at an all time high level of weakness, due to being constantly supported by my boots. So yeah, I'm probably one shitty step away from being a hobbley jackwaggon again!

It would be nice to be able to make time for some strength work and stretching. Ya know, bolster up the weak little stems.
DREAMS, ALL DREAMS. It probably won't happen!

Anyway. Week 4 in the books. With the past two winters containing a February marathon, one part of me feels very behind schedule! However, I know I'm on the right track.


Stats:
Total miles: 33.5
Long run: 12.3
Coldest Day: 20, and it felt damn cold 
Snow: About an inch of rain..... 
Random: In addition to running, my hobbies are hiking (which you all know about) reading (which I love) and puzzles (because I like hobbies that most people find dull) Oh, and drinking beer. 

Boston Training 2020, Week 3: The time when I wrote a post and forgot to hit publish

So yes, delayed. Hitting publish helps.

Of course, I know that nobody waits for this with bated breath (if you do, cool!) Blogging isn't really a thing anymore, but I certainly think this is a handy way to keep a training log.

So, on to that.

It was a fine week (as in, no impending injury, no real issue) but my motivation to run, and my enjoyment of the actual act was at a pretty solid low (not an all time low. but low.) It shall pass.
If not, it's not like I actually need to do this. However, I'm pretty sure this is just a temporary dislike and I'll snap out of it soon.

I managed to get in a couple runs outdoors, despite the increase in snow.

I did a 10+ miler, in some pretty constant rain to the pup (as usual.)

We've had a tough go the last month or so, as one of the owners of our pub had a horrible accident and passed. It was unexpected and extremely jarring. Over the past two years he became a good friend to us. Much more than just a "bartender" but truly someone who we enjoyed seeing, talking to, and sharing a lot in common with. Rarely a week went by when we didn't find ourselves heading that way to share conversation, let our puppies play, and just hang out. We are working our way back to pub runs, and pub time, but it really has not been the same. However, the best way to honor our friend's memory is to continue to support his business, and to let our dog run amok in there the way he always allowed. Hence, pub runs will continue to be celebrated.

I managed 8 400's at mid 7 pace at some point. Had a couple basic runs. That was it.

Stats:
Total miles: 26.4
Long run: 10.4
Coldest Day: Not cold enough to care about. 
Snow: 12" The biggest storm of the season
Random: It took me two years, but I wore out a pair or darn tough socks. On principle, I have sent them back to be replaced. However, I do not plan on doing so again, as two years is plenty to expect from socks.