Two ez days

Yesterday morning it was only chilly (7F + wind = -10F). I ran only 6.2 miler and freezed myself all over. Too few layers... This morning it was closer to evil, since temperature was -4F, and again nice winter breeze made my skin feel less summerish. But it is the current reality... and again the distance was 6.2 miles.

Noisy Snow

Morning: Ez 6 miler with sweetie. We both head- and tailwind (and 10F). The first combination was pretty cold.

Evening: I ran from the hospital to home. Had a nice tailwind and I rolled the first 6.2 miles 40.20 with easy effort. The whole distance was ~9 miles at 6.30-6.40s and snow was making that nice noise under my shoes.

A New Week

It snowed on Sunday morning. Then it snowed a little more during the day, and in the evening was the same. In the morning we ran back to my home (10 miles) in slightly slippery conditions. I accelerated an extra 3.2 miler (sub 6.20s) and was pretty happy with that. Then we biked back. We had get our bikes to home - just to be ready for commuting. Now instead of standing extra hour or two jammed on Capitol Beltway, I have to use only ten minutes by bike. Of course in winter commuting is bit colder, but at least I'm moving forward the whole time. Oh, weekly mileage was 50 miles.

Yesterday morning was a little colder (10 F), but scenery is almost like it should be - snowy. Due to tight schedule I had time only for a miserable 3 miler. Today is stair and core time.

Rock Bottom?

Running-wise I have seen plenty. But today I couldn't face mirror. Yes, there has been many exhausting and mentally consuming things going on in my life during the last 5 weeks, but still running tempo 6.2 miles @ 6.00 pace is too much even for an old fart like me. And I'm not accepting any excuse based on the course. I'm just 3-4 minutes slower than before our trip to the US. However, I'm happy that I was able make this restart today. In few weeks I WILL be faster.

Tomorrow I gotta find a tv set around 3 PM, since there's a chance to watch European XC Champs (from Dublin, Ireland) live. Wohoo!

Tough times

It seems to be extremely hard to get back with the routines. I'll accept a less-than-usual December but after New Years Eve it would be more than welcome that things would roll again as they used to. Basically it's up to myself... After Tuesday's punishment I ran a double 3.2 miles + 10 miles. Both easy of course. Yesterday I did nothing. Workout-wise that is.

Tomorrow I'll do some tempo - maybe 6.2 miles or less.

Shortcut to Pain

Damn! After today's (almost 3 hrs) workout I'm ready to suggest the following. In order to find instant, but good muscle pain follow these steps:

1. Neglect the majority of core exercises during the next 2.5 years.
2. Neglect all of the possible stairs exercises (jumps, running) during the next 2.5 years.
3. When the steps 1 and 2 are achieved, do 2 hours intense workout including both stairs and core exercises.
4. Enjoy the gooooood pain.

Results may vary.

On the Verge of Getting back

Last week's mileage was miserable. I had time and energy to run only 38 miles which is nothing. But last two weeks have been messy and exhausting. Yesterday I had my 37th birthday, and today I'll try to get back to my normal routines. This evening I meet a group of triathletes and join their stairs' workout followed by circuit training (basically core exercises added with some 400s and 800s).

Next "real" workout will take place on Saturday. Then it's tempo time.

Another longish run

Where's the snow? It seems that lots of it is now covering Columbia, MD and the Metric Marathon is - once again - close to get cancelled. Luckily, we don't have snow here. Scenery is bit boring: grey and wet, but snowless. Today's mileage was 15 (@ easy pace ... and still I felt tired). Today's route took us to Ruissalo (Island close to Turku) on same paths where the legendary Paavo Nurmi ran back in a day.

Busy week

It's already Friday. Running has been on/off -type of effort during this week. Yesterday morning the temperature was low 20s, and the scenery was frosty. It looked like snow!

We received keys to our home on Monday and after that we have been quite busy. Now the majority of our furniture is back home - like we are - but nothing is yet in the right place. It doesn't matter at all, since home is home. I thought that I would have time and energy to do at least one harder workout this week, but that turned out to be an illusion. I'll try it next week. Accordingly, all my runs have been easy at slow/pedestrian pace. My dad was transferred to other hospital and they started the long rehab. It will take months, but that is the only option.

Guys! Good luck with Metric Marathon on Sunday!

Rough November

Last month was only 220 miles. It should have been little more, but it wasn't. I don't care so much about that now. This month will be similar - fulfilled with unscheduled runs and workouts. Now I'm just happy to be back home and approach slowly the cultural shock which is waiting for us.

Yesterday: easy 6.2 miler.
Today: no running.