Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Running - What's Next?

Well, for starters, I rested for five whole days - I intentionally did not run, which is different for me than when the weather/traveling/other factors contribute to me not running.  I was tired!  My legs actually started feeling normal on Wednesday, but I made the decision to let my body heal up from running nearly 16.5 miles in two days, and I'm glad I did.

I ran on Saturday - three glorious miles, ahhhh.  I love a short "long" run.  It was very cold - temperature of 30 degrees, with a "feels like" temp of 25, but I (and I kind of want to shout this from the rooftops) finally own the right winter running gear, and I dressed correctly for this run!  I didn't get a picture, but here's a "Flat Shelley" of what I wore:
Bottom to top:  Full-length running tights (these are from Lucy, many years old, but thicker than my usual running capris), running skirt (extra layers to keep my behind warm); lined long-sleeve running shirt (this is from Brooks, called a Heater Hog); lightweight, thin windbreaker); gloves (Layered Up by Under Armour - finally, a pair of gloves that keeps my fingers warm enough while I run); neck gaiter (this one is from Hoo Rag), and my trusty Elmer Fudd hat (Breathe Thermo by Mizuno - it has ear flaps!).

Except for the gloves and skirt, everything else is fairly old; it took me until last year to finally accept that our winter running season is long enough that it's worthwhile for me to buy the appropriate running gear.  It was so nice to not be too cold, or too constricted because I was layering everything I owned in an attempt to be warm - this was just perfect for my short, cold run.

After our run we all went to Blue Baker for breakfast - it'd been so long since we've been there that the manager asked what had happened to us, and gave us some treats - a fudge brownie, and two scoops of chocolate chip cookie dough:
Cary and the cookie dough...hmmm, that sounds like it could be the title of a cute children's book!

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I've never had three pairs of running shoes at the same time - I feel like a pro now!  Here they are, in their rotational order:
 
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday (newest shoes/longest run)

I've kept track of the mileage on these shoes, thanks to the gear widget on Garmin connect, so I know that the shoes on the left have about 275 miles on them, the shoes in the middle have about 250, and the shoes on the right have 16.5 miles on them.  I'm shooting for 350 miles on each pair before I retire them, but my knees will tell me when they are ready to go; they don't normally bother me when I run, but it seems like whenever they do, it's time for a new pair of shoes.

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As you know, our last training season started back in July, which was entirely too long for a goal race in January, but we had joined USAFit again, and their goal race was in December, so that's why we started so early.  That was a long time to train, especially when you're already a runner.  Their schedule was too intense as well - mileage jumped up really early in the season, and was more than the recommended 10% per week.  I have no idea why last year's organizer let that happen, but it did.  After so many years of participating in, as well as being an organizer of, a running club, I feel confident enough that I can come up with a good training program for next season that will get us to the start line without having to overdo it - after all, we run for fun, not to beat a specific time or anything like that.  We will probably do a 16-week training program in order to get ready for our goal half marathon, but luckily that won't start for a long while.

Next month, our little group of Renegades will be running the Missions half marathon/10K in San Antonio.  You can probably guess which of us is doing the 10K - that would be me, haha.  I'm good with doing just one half marathon per year, so I'm done for 2016 - nice to get that out of the way so early, right?  It's a relief to not have another 13.1 miles ahead of me - heck, the 6.2 miles of the 10K is plenty!

I may run a few smaller races, but mostly I'll just be running for exercise, sanity, and fun.  Our group enjoys getting together on Saturday mornings for running and breakfast; I think I have the best of both worlds, being able to combine exercise and friendship on a regular basis. 

22 comments:

  1. That last sentence is the one that I like the most: you do have the best of both worlds.

    I keep track of the mileage on my shoes too and run about the same amount of miles on them as you do. I also have 3 pairs but with the little running I do now (went this morning so you can be proud of me :) ) 2 pairs would have been enough too :)

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  2. I'll just put in a vote for Hal Higdon programs right here. They are online and free and he has options. Take a look at them while you are coming up with your next program. I even used one of his programs to train myself for that walking marathon I did years ago. He just seems to know what is the right amount of mileage and how to increase it.

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    1. I'm going to do a Hal Higdon-type schedule, yes. His shorter programs look reasonable.

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  3. I too took a week off from running, & it felt glorious! Surprising what listening to your body will do :)
    BOOOO, I missed the cookie dough though :(
    So glad to be a part of our little running group....good people, good times & good fun...all while exercising!
    See you on Sunday!

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    1. Amen to all of this (except for missing out on the cookie dough)!

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  4. Love Flat Shelley! Yep, it makes sense to finally give in and get stuff for colder temps - I realize 30 degrees is very cold for you if you aren't used to it. I ditched my morning walk today - the wind chill made it feel like 10 degrees and that didn't seem like too much fun!

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  5. Flat Shelley is so cute :) I love the last sentence. Friendship and exercise...all you need in life :)

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  6. You are blessed to be able to combine friendship and exercise.

    Did it take you a lot of trial and error to get the right cold weather gear? And is it just me, or are your running shoes growing taller as they get older?

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    1. It wasn't so much trial and error as it was thinking that our winter running season was so short that I could make do with what I already owned...but it can be really cold here (for example, it was 29 degrees when I ran yesterday morning) and those cold temps will last for a good four months. Finally investing in the correct gear (most of which I bought in the springtime, when it was marked down) has made a big difference in my comfort level!

      I see what you mean about the running shoes getting taller - must be the angle of the photograph, as you'd think it would be the opposite. Of course now I will have to go check and compare!

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  7. That is so great that you have a group to run with each week as well as your hubby & friends in between.

    I think I run so many races because otherwise I would run alone which isn't much fun.

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  8. I think I will mimic you in only doing one half marathon per year!

    Last year when I was marathon training I had some pretty chilly runs. I thought what I was wearing was good enough and didn't invest in anything more cus I thought I would NEVER have to train in the cold again! Well the following year I ran the marathon again and again trained during the winter! One of these years I'll learn! Love the flat Shelley!

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  9. Love it!! And I forgot to ask about the Cliftons in the last post! Since I only walk in the Cliftons (tho my preferred has become the Challenger ATR because of their similarity to Clifton and their grip), I didn't even realize Hoka changed them. Sucks!! :( :( Hope you can find more! Maybe eBay?

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    1. Good idea about checking eBay - that's the one place I haven't thought to look at!

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  10. Are you really done with the half marathons for 2016? For sure? :D

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  11. Yay for having the right gear for a cold run! Nothing more miserable than a frozen bun! I haven't had to wear my running underwear yet... but I may have to this season!

    That is fantastic you feel comfortable coming up with your own schedule for the next race. Happy 10K training!

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  12. Wow. I learned some things. It seems like no matter what gloves I wear, my hands still stay cold. I wonder if those running gloves would work for me?

    Yes, you have the best of all worlds-- friends, exercise, and Blue Baker.

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    1. I noticed that gloves come with a temperature rating, and knowing how cold my fingers get, I went with a very cold (below freezing) rating, which has finally made them warm enough.

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  13. Love the "flat Shelley!" And good for you for going out and getting what you need for winter running, it's amazing the motivational impact having the right gear can have. I HATE being cold, though not as much as I hate being hot, but either one can tank a workout.

    And just got to Texas but my goodness the weather is changeable! On the plus side, it's been sunny pretty much every day, but here in Austin temps seem to go from 30-80 and back pretty much randomly, it's freaky! Good thing you warned me to bring cold-weather gear.

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  14. I like your winter running outfit....so cute! :-)

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