Today was another crazy busy day. I got up at 5:00 and got my run in before work. It was very cold again this morning. I tried to layer up the gloves and I think that actually made it colder on my fingers. I will go back to one pair tomorrow. It was obviously still quite dark by the time I got on the road. When I crossed the street to go up the starting hill, I could makeout a blinking light in the distance. I thought it might be a runner, but it seemed so far ahead of me that I didn't think I would ever catch up to it. After about a 1/3 of a mile, I could see the lights and they were moving close to me...but going from one side to another. I was really perplexed as to what it could be. When I finally caught up...it there was a man on a bike....a woman running....and two dogs playing with the blinking lights on them. I probably should have been a little concerned, the dogs quickly started playing with me while I ran, but I am a big dog person so I couldn't really get upset. The couple was very friendly for 5:45 in the morning. It was really a cool way to start such a long cold run.
By the top of the hill, my fingers were really hurting. I had lost a lot of motion in my index finger on the left hand. I decided to take off the top glove. It took a long time, but eventually the pain subsided and it didn't bug me for the rest of the run.
I decided to do two 3 mile loops and one 2 mile loop. By the ed of my first three mile loop, I was already a little tired. There was an inkling of color appearing in the sky and that helped my focus for my second trek up the hill. I wanted to give it a good effort and not slow down too much...and I know the speed isn't always accurate....but I was right around 6.1 mph for the entire mile up the hill whenever I looked down. It helps the confidence to be sure.
M last two mile loop I felt I needed to end strong. I pushed a bit for the first mile and went aggressively after the last mile. I can't stress enough, how much easier it is on my leg pain to run when it is so cold.
By the time I pulled into my driveway my time for 8.07 miles was 1 hour, 18 minutes, and 31 seconds...or a 9 minute 43 second per mile pace. Kind of rough to start...but a good finish. Thanks for reading!
Jon - Sorry I was not more clear in my first question. You answered exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you! I was also hoping you felt like I could go all out at the 10 mile race coming up. I will start following your training for sure on that site. Another thing to motivate me. Would you email or tell me your username? I can't seem to find you.
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Sean -- These run reports just keep getting better and better. I'm loving it!! The more you talk about cool things like blinking lights and freezing fingers and picking up paces, the better (since it means there is less focus on fatigue, IT bands, stress, etc).
ReplyDeleteTry mittens instead of gloves. I figured that out late last year and it made a huge difference, since your fingers give each other warmth and you can make a loose fist in there. Also helps -- when it is really cold -- if you put those little handwarmer packets in!!
You can find me on daily mile as "Jon_A" or, if that doesn't work, search for Castle Rock CO runners! Link below may work, too.
http://www.dailymile.com/people/Jon_A#ref=tophd
If you set up a profile there, let me know!!