Spring

Distance

Run: 60 minutes of easy distance, hilly.

Distance: 6.7 miles

Time: 62:13

Performance Stats (out of 5 )

Legs:    .5

Gut:   ★ ★

Energy:   ★ .5

Mind:   ★ ★ 

Overall:    

Soundtrack: Stone Sour, House of Gold & Bones Part 1 & 2 

     I was wondering when this day was going to come. Finally, running outside on my usual course! It has been a long cold February, and this was finally the day. Going into the weekend, I had a feeling that we'd get some warm enough weather and some clearing. Saturday was actually quite rainy. I saw a few blog posts from people running races on Saturday, and felt a little bad for them. Nothing like running in some chilly rain!

     Since I wasn't signed up for a race ticket, I put my run off until Sunday. It's was cloudy but clear, and there were some spots where the sun broke through. I was a little worried about the snow on the sides of the road, but that was mostly clear, and so it was a safe run up my usual hill and back. The park where I turn back around at about 1.5 miles was completely covered in snow, and it will probably be a few weeks before the cinder path is even visible. I figured out a little loop in the driveway to the park, which worked out just fine.

     So what did on learn on my first 6.7 miles of the 2015 outdoor running season? Well, for starters, while not the same as road running, the treadmill did keep me somewhat in shape, and I think that I am starting off this year on the right foot (ha ha, couldn't help it!). Even though I was super psyched, it doesn't mean that I was totally into all parts of the run - I was pretty dragging by the end, but it's just going to take some time to get back into this. And last, you just can't beat running on the road, especially with some hills, when you want to think about running fitness.

     We are off to a great start. I'll probably keep it on the treadmill for the early weekday runs this week, but the weekends should start affording some distance road runs, and a little 5K race this up coming weekend! Happy St. Patrick's Day coming up.

Treadmill

Run: 3 miles at 6.5 miles per hour

Distance: 3.0 miles

Time: 27:45

Performance Stats (out of 5 )

Legs:   

Gut:   ★ .5

Energy    ★ ★ .5

Mind:    ★ ★ .5

Overall:    ★ ★

Soundtrack: The Crystal Method Radio, Pandora

    Yes people, Spring is here! OK, it's not quite HERE, but you can feel that it's coming. Now I learned my lesson from San Antonio, and cold is still cold. It was 22 oF this morning, so any plans of running outside I quickly packed away. But, to put things into perspective, it was about 2 oF in the mornings a week ago, and any time you go up twenty degrees, you can feel the change. Think of going from 50 degrees in the afternoon to 70 degrees. Yeah, that's what I'm talking about.

     You may think that this has been a little over stated, but I'm telling you, people are different around here. I went to get my mail last night after work, and 1) it was still bright out (hello time change!), and 2) I didn't have a coat on, and it was fine. Well, it was probably 36 degrees, but I was comfortably talking with my neighbor about how exciting it is to see some grass again. It's even on the news. Everyone is excited.

     So last night I contemplated running on the roads this morning, but I knew it was going to be too chilly. Also, there is still a good amount of snow on the sides of the road. I came across one fella running over the weekend. He very smartly had on a bright neon yellow coat, but he was literally in the middle of the lane that my car was in. He couldn't help it from the snow banks. This backed up traffic, and you could just tell that he wasn't enjoying the run. How can you?!?

     But it's coming. You can feel it. I think we get up to 48 oF today, and 50s tomorrow with some rain, and these roads are going to start clearing up. I'm signing up for some 5Ks, and I'm going to get my training manual out to get back on track for a half marathon coming up. It's time to start running again!

Treadmill: The Breaking Point

Run: 5 miles at 6.0 miles per hour

Distance: 5.0 miles

Time: 50:03

Performance Stats (out of 5 )

Legs:   ★ .5

Gut:   ★ ★

Energy    ★ ★

Mind:    ★ 

Overall:    ★ ★

Soundtrack: The Crystal Method Radio, Pandora

     Alright Mother Nature, we are going to have to have a talk. See it's March, and we are about to turn the clocks ahead next weekend. There is just something growing inside of all of us here in little Glastonbury, Connecticut, USA. Sort of like a little tomato seed tilled into the dirt of the garden last fall. We are beginning to realize that Spring is coming, and the little shells of our seeds are starting to shake, rumble and crack.

     I was just saying to my son yesterday morning, "You know Kyle, I think that we are all done with snow for the year." His replied, "Thank goodness, Daddy!" And then I turned on the news - more snow on it's way. I know that I live in New England, and I do love the winter, but heading out to the gym for a 5 mile treadmill run today at 10 degrees with a plan for 3 - 6 more inches of snow tonight - it's getting to be a bit much.

     The other thing is that I am starting to get super-psyched for some of these early Spring races. There are all sorts of St. Patty's day 5K's coming up over the next few weekends, and holy hell if they are gonna be in the middle of a snow storm - yikes! There is something OK about running in cold rain, sleet and a little snow in October and November, but by March, it's time for that warm sun to start shining on our beautiful, sweaty running faces, and to have the snow off the roads.

     So my message here after this nice 5 mile run on the treadmill is that I'm ready. I'm ready for 4AM hills and tempo runs on our back roads with my head lamp on. I'm ready for long hill runs going out 60 - 70 minutes on the weekends. I'm ready for some trail runs in our local small parks. And I'm ready to get registered for some 5K and half marathon road races, and get this season going! C'mon, Mother Nature, you have to like Spring too - it's time!

P.S. Everyone from Boston, sorry for complaining!