Running For My Life

I was all set to do my 20-miler on the treadmill due to the extreme cold that was forecast and the fact that I needed to get the run in before 8 a.m. due to a family commitment. The Pettit Center indoor track doesn’t open until 6 a.m., which wouldn’t leave me enough time to run 20 miles (unless I was Ryan Hall). So on Friday night I filled a bunch of water bottles and laid out some lightweight clothes in preparation for my marathon session on my treadmill (and I thought my 10-mile daily runs were tedious…how would a 20-miler be……?).

So I woke up at 4:30 a.m., took the dog out and noticed that it didn’t seem like -5F like the forecast had said. When I went in and checked the temperature on the computer, it said zero degrees with calm winds. I then made a quick decision to run outside even though I have never done a long run in anything less than 20-25 degrees (typically if it’s that cold I use the indoor track). I piled on layer after layer, wearing two hats, two pairs of gloves, two pairs of socks and three long-sleeve shirts underneath by running jacket. I have to say that I was never cold the entire 20 miles. The only problem was the frost build-up on my face mask and eyebrows and lashes. Other than that, I found the run to be invigorating and character-building. I mean, if I can run 20 miles when it’s that cold, what can’t I do?

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 02/16/2008
• Time: 05:00:00
• Total Time: 2:48:20.00
• Distance: 20 miles
• Average Pace: 8:24.91/mile

When you spend 90 minutes on the treadmill like I did this morning, you have plenty of time to think about things.  I typically start a run with a blank sheet of paper and pencil on the treadmill face and by the time I’m done, it’s usually full of scribbles….reminders of things to do, random thoughts and ideas, etc.  This morning I got to thinking about all of the different levels of benefits that running can bring you.  There are the fitness things…healthier heart, stronger bones, weight loss.  Then there’s that oh-so-good feeling that you get when you are finished (some call it the “Runner’s High”) and for me that usually lasts all day.  Running gives you a great chance to organize your thoughts and plan your day.  And for the competitive types like me, perhaps the best benefit of running is my improved fitness level.  My 10-mile run this morning will hopefully contribute to a strong finish for me in the Boston Marathon.  And my Boston Marathon training will carry over into the summer race season where I hope to be more competitive than ever.  My point of all this is that there are many reasons why running is a great activity; many different levels of benefits.  Some provide immediate benefits while others don’t show up for months or years.

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 02/15/2008
• Time: 05:00:00
• Total Time: 1:29:00.00
• Distance: 10 miles
• Average Pace: 8:54.12/mile

Believe it or not, I was able to run outside this morning….for the first time this month.  It was 21 degrees, which was plenty warm enough for me to hit the dark and snow-covered streets.  And boy was it worth it.  It was one of those runs that I have re-played in my head all day; it was that enjoyable.  When I hit my turnaround at 5 miles, I wanted to keep going.  Unfortunately, it’s snowing again now and tomorrow it is supposed to get back down below zero.  I am actually contemplating doing a 20-mile run on my treadmill Saturday morning because I am not going to have time to go to the indoor track and the temps are supposed to be around zero, so too cold to go outside.

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 02/14/2008
• Time: 05:00:00
• Total Time: 1:24:20.00
• Distance: 10 miles
• Average Pace: 8:26.33/mile

Workout:

• Type: General Cardio
• Date: 02/13/2008
• Time: 05:00:00
• Total Time: 1:19:00.00

2 mile warmup, 3 miles @ 6:30, 5 mile s @ medium pace

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 02/12/2008
• Time: 05:00:00
• Total Time: 1:18:00.00
• Distance: 10 miles
• Average Pace: 7:48.14/mile

The weather conditions are still too bad to run outside (it was -8 degrees F when I woke up this morning). The good news it that it is supposed to get all the way up to 10 degrees tomorrow and we are only supposed to get 4 inches of snow tonight.

This morning’s run was on the treadmill and I am sure tomorrow’s will be as well since I am doing a tempo run.  I think I need to move somewhere warm for the next two months so I can finish my Boston training in decent weather.

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 02/11/2008
• Time: 04:30:00
• Total Time: 1:30:40.00
• Distance: 10 miles
• Average Pace: 9:03.81/mile

Poor weather forced me indoors once again for my long run. I did 20 miles at the Pettit Center (71 laps in case you wondered) at a 7:27 pace. I looked back in my records and found that this was the fastest I have ever done a run of 20 miles or more. I was pretty sore during the end of the run, but still satisfied with my pace.

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 02/09/2008
• Time: 06:00:00
• Total Time: 2:29:00.00
• Distance: 20 miles
• Average Pace: 7:27.2/mile

Workout:

• Type: General Cardio
• Date: 02/07/2008
• Time: 05:00:00
• Total Time: 1:20:00.00

Okay, I just did a 10-mile speed workout and then shoveled 8 inches of wet, heavy snow off my driveway for 45 minutes.  My estimate is that I just worked off 2,000 calories.  And the day is early….we are supposed to get another 10-12 inches of snow.  This could be a 4,000-calorie-burn day…..I better start eating!

12×400 intervals, 2 mile warmup and cooldown, 10 miles total

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 02/06/2008
• Time: 05:00:00
• Total Time: 1:20:50.00
• Distance: 10 miles
• Average Pace: 8:05.18/mile