3.4 miles--Windy!

Today we had a reception for an administrator that is leaving, so I didn't get home as early as I had hoped.  I wasn't sure how far I would be able to make it before it got too dark to run.  Yesterday was 65 degrees, and driving home today it was 35 degrees.  I should have run yesterday!

I did get all bundled up and decided to wear my hat with the lights my daughter gave me, just in case it got dark.  Luckily, I didn't even have to turn the lights on, it is already staying lighter later every night.  Even though it stayed light, the air was cold and very windy.  A couple of times, my hat and hood were blown right off!  My eyes were tearing up due to the wind the last 1/2 mile and I ended up with a slight headache.  

But I did get out there, I ran 3.4 miles and kept a 12 minute pace again.  I pushed myself up a few of the hills and made sure I continued to run instead of walk.  That is definitely an improvement over my more recent runs. 

Yoga!

Today we had another snow day--well technically an "ice day".  After working on some sewing projects, Chris and I decided we wanted to do something different like stretching or yoga instead of running.  I've read that I need to not only run, but do cross training, stretching, and other activities to keep up my fitness levels.  Plus, if all I do is run, then I am only working the muscles that the body uses for running and my other muscles don't get a workout.

We put in one of our P90X DVDs called One-on-One Yoga DVD.  Compared to the P90X Yoga, this is mild.  P90X Yoga is 90 minutes long of lots of holding positions--which can become painful.  It feels good, in  a painful way!  The One-on-One DVD was only 48 minutes, but still pushed me to my yoga limit.  I could tell my muscles needed the stretching and extending, so it really felt good.  I couldn't do every single thing on the DVD, but I almost completed it all.

The funniest part of our workout was when our dogs and cats decided that they would help us workout.  At one point, while I was in a pose with one leg down and my arms and other leg in the air, Pepper rolled on the ground beneath me and kept pushing at my back with her paws.  I kept thinking Chris was trying to tickle me, and just started laughing when I realized it was Pepper.  
 
What a great break from my normal workout!

4.46 miles--Snow!

Today was Saturday, and I wanted to get a decent run in.  Unfortunately, it was cold and snow flurries were flying around the whole time.  I really am starting to miss the warmer weather for running.  It seems like it takes me 1/2 hour to just get everything on for running in the cold.  Then while running, I usually have to readjust my mouth covering, gloves, jacket, hat or something!  While running in the warmer weather, I just throw on a top, shorts, and shoes and a hat or sunglasses.  

I logged 4.46 miles and kept about a 12 minute pace.  My lungs had a hard time today, the cold air burned while running, so I had to walk more than I had hoped.  I did take my inhaler, so either I am still struggling to get over my cold stuff, or it just was cold and it hurt.

But, I kept plugging away and ran.  I only have about 24 more days until I need to run 13.1 miles at Disney.  Although I have done 10 miles already, I am starting to worry since the last few runs have not been easy for me.  I know that the excitement of a race makes it easier for me to run well, but I still worry.  I think this weekend I will try to do a long, easy run to help my confidence. 

January 24, 2013--Cold and Windy run

At 5:23 this morning I got the phone call the school was closed for the day.  So I turned off my alarm, rolled over, and went back to sleep.  I got up with Chris and made coffee and watched the dogs high-step through the snow in the yard.  After having breakfast and working on a few projects, I decided to head out and hit the road.  

Weather.com said it was about 27 degrees in our neighborhood.  Of course, as I was getting ready, the wind picked up and was blowing snow everywhere.  I put on Smart Wool toe socks, my Merrells, pants, a fleece skirt, a long sleeve shirt, two jackets, a beanie style hat, my Buff face wrap, Brooks gloves with my homemade fleece mittens on top, and sunglasses. 

I made sure my watch found the gps BEFORE leaving the house since it was so cold.  I walked for about a half mile then I started running.  I had to be very careful since parts of the road were shady and there were some ice patches.  I live on a tertiary road and run on secondary roads...some had been plowed and there was sand in areas, but VDOT can't get every bit of it up. 

My lungs have still not quite recovered, so running was hard today.  When it was hard to breathe--which the cold air makes it almost impossible to breathe--I just walked.  But I was so glad to at least get out there and move.