30 days

Probably let the current running streak of 30 days go. Not by plan, just the threat of snow this afternoon and evening. Don't really need the miles this week, anyway. Should still hit 60+ miles even with a day off. This is all because of 2 long runs in one week. Only because the Cedars of Lebanon Frostbite Half Marathon is on Saturday. So, next weeks mileage will be short a long run. That'll be just fine, time to start scaling back the miles anyway.

Only 24 days until the marathon as of today. Time now to start worrying about how my training has gone this cycle. Went back and compared my marathon buildup for the Flying Pig to the current training cycle. Long runs are identical to this point at 9 runs of 18 miles or more. I should end up with one more 18 mile effort after Saturday's race. Plus this cycle I've been to Percy Warner Park 4 times. Only doubled twice at PWP, the route backwards and forwards, not 2 runs in one day(not once). Weekly mileage is just about 1 mile per week more this cycle on average than for the Pig, at 73 miles per week. The marathon plan is the exact same. Only regret is maybe not enough miles, but I started this cycle with the thought that bumping up to 80 miles per week wouldn't be a difference maker, but potentially a injury inducer.

We did run the Tom King Half Marathon 6 weeks out from race day at the Pig in 2009. Tied my half marathon PR time at 1:27. (still short of the 1:25 where I need to be) This time, our only race will be Cedars, 3 weeks out. That kinda has me worried. The course is rolling, so not really a PR course like Tom King. Plus, this course has about a mile worth of rough asphalt and then 2 miles of gravel. With my tender feet, I'm not going to wear a light weight trainer, definitely not a racing flat. Guess, I'll just go out at marathon pace effort for the hills, marathon pace on everything else and call it a 13 mile marathon pace run. Add a 5 mile warm up and it's a 18 mile long run.

The treadmill sucks

I hate running on the treadmill. This morning was probably the 2nd time in the last 6 years or so. We got just enough snow, that turned into a solid sheet of ice on all of the roadways. This forced me indoors this morning. I could have waited until this evening to attempt a workout on the roads. But, the chances of it thawing enough and actually getting it done, weren't really in my favor. That and I had a speed workout scheduled for today. Didn't even try to do the planned workout, instead modified it and cut it in half. Still only ended up with 5 miles total on the treadmill. Time just stands still.

I guess the biggest thing about the treadmill is that its so warm inside. I start slinging sweat after 5 minutes. The little fans on the treadmill help some, but still way to warm for me. ('course this particular gym didn't even have that) Seemed like I was thirsty after only a mile or so. Must be the dry indoor air?

It is pretty nice to be able to dial up a pace, that's great for doing some speed workouts. I didn't even try to do that for the scheduled minute on/off workout. I bet it could be programmed into the treadmill, that would be cool. Manually increasing to the desired pace and then decreasing for the recovery just seems so awkward. I felt like I'm about to land on my face at any minute.

The gym I was at, only has 2 tiny TV's which are impossible to see. Perhaps at a nicer gym with lots of BIG tv's I could get into the treadmill. At least a distraction to make the time go by quicker. Thankfully I had my Ipod.

I'll be glad when this winter is over. Just a little bit to much snow this year for me.

Snow

Pretty decent little snow storm overnight here in Murfreesboro. We measured 3.25 inches of snow on the back deck around 8 am. Dylan and I went to the closest hill to the house, the overpass on Thompson Lane over Old Nashville Highway. We were one of the first 2-3 people out sledding. Still snowing with some big fluffy flakes. We used some of the old sleds from when I was a kid. A german made sled and a Flexible Flyer knock off, both easily 40 years old. Both went pretty fast down the hill. We sledded for almost 3 hours before I got cold and we headed back to the house.

6 weeks

Started talking about the snow that was coming on Monday or Tuesday. We finally got it on Friday morning. Probably had around 4 or 5 inches worth before it changed over to freezing rain sometime in the night. End effect was a coating of ice on the trees and the top layer of ice an inch or so thick on top of the snow.

BQ1 changed his workout to Thursday because of the predicted snow. I already had my six mile steady state run planned for that day. Worked out well because Sol needed a workout and he agreed to pull us through the workout. I'd hoped for around a 6:50 pace and the first mile came in around 6:46. Dialed in pretty close to half marathon pace but should be doable for six miles. I ended following off of BQ1's shoulder for as long as I could hang on with Sol pulling us both. Ended up with about a 6:45 or so average for the six miles, quicker than my average pace from my last 10k.

Slept in on Friday morning and again on Saturday morning. Did get out for runs on both days, with a nice run in the late afternoon on Saturday in the daylight. Snow was still crunchy, only 24 degrees and a gray sky all day long. Tough run on the trail out at the Stones River Battlefield. Most of the trail under the trees was just snow covered without much of a ice buildup on top. Sections of the trail out in the open were ice covered and ankle deep snow. Fun stuff.

Sun finally came back out today and the snow was starting to melt on the last 20 minutes of my long run. The first few miles were cold and hard to keep my thumbs warm. Saw P man out on the last couple of miles of his 20 mile run. I'd slept in yet again and missed starting with the guys. Mine was a solo effort all around town on the busy roads, because they were the most snow free. Did run for about a mile with P man when he overtook me around mile six for me, which helped bring my average pace down a little bit. Didn't think I'd find any good shots for the camera on a urban run, but was surprised by the amount of ice on the trees and the reflections of light from the rising sun. Darn, to gray on Saturday for any shots and to cold today. Should have just stuck in my pocket anyway. Oh well.

Dylan and I sledded for a little while on Friday afternoon. We weren't really dressed well enough for the cold, so didn't stay out more than an hour or so. Thought I'd broken my shoulder on one of the runs. Just a tad to old to be flying down those hills that fast. We went back again on Saturday morning with his cousin and stayed even longer, but we were dressed for it this time. I only did a couple of slides and stopped after bruising my hip. Still sore today.

Comeback

Holy smokes it seems to take forever to build back the strength once its allowed to lapse. Pee man and BQ1 showed me how much I'd lost this morning. We met at Lascassas Baptist Church to run the Spain hill loop. Coldest day of the year, 8 degrees to start and 10 degrees when we finished. I finished dead last, BQ1 finishing strong and Pee man going back out for seven more miles.

Lots of snow still on the roads out here in the country. Most of the hills were snow covered. The guys waited on me at the tops of all of the hills. Pretty embarrassing that I couldn't keep up. This loop is eleven miles with the last hill crest at eight miles. The last three miles home are almost level. Great for a fast finish long run. The guys took off at around a 6:30 pace which was way to much for me. I'd hoped to run the last three miles at marathon pace or so. Hah, actually only able to muster a 7:11 for the first one, 7:19 for the next and only able to squeak out a 7:15 with the help of Pee man pulling me in the last quarter.

Snow was pretty and the footing wasn't that bad. Little to no wind and despite the cold a pretty enjoyable run. Hands were to warm for periods, the ski mask wasn't needed most of the time, but thankful to have it.

Went back and checked the log for the quickest I've run this loop. Almost a full six minutes faster, yet this wasn't the slowest time either. Lots of strength to build before its time to try another race. I'd hoped to run a spring marathon. After checking out the options it just doesn't fit into more current schedule. I'd need another month, probably May before I'd be in marathon shape. To late in the spring for any of the marathons that are close enough to drive. Think I'll just target a fast half marathon at Tom King. Just hope BQ1 doesn't dust me. It should be a good battle.

Snow slog

Went out at 5:00 am this morning for a run in the snow. Surprised that the trail was covered for most of the way with about a quarter of an inch of snow. Just enough to crunch underfoot and turn the paved trail completely white. Saw a couple of snow angels, but other than that I had the trail to myself. Almost like a full moon run with the reflection of the light on the snow and low hanging clouds, even though the sun wasn't up yet.

The guys traded emails yesterday afternoon about the run, but no one else showed up. The side streets were still pretty icy in spots, but hardly any on the trail. Temperature wasn't that bad, around 17 degrees with a little bit of a north wind. Tuesday was colder and had more wind.

I started at the Old Fort Park trailhead and ran out to the Cason Lane trailhead and on to the end of the trail. Its right at 3 miles to the Cason Lane trailhead. Had it been daylight I'd have brought the camera. Not to many chances to run in the snow around here. To hear the media, it was a deadly wind chill. Bah. Dressed the same as on Tuesday, didn't even use the face mask. (only need it below 15 degrees)

Overdressing for the cold is almost as bad as underdressing. Layers with zippers seem to work well. Finger gloves covered with mittens. A stocking hat. Two pairs of socks and two pairs of tights, one skin tight and the other loose fitting. Wore my trail shoes which have now been used maybe 5 times in the last 10 years. They're really only good for mud, snow, and sand. I really like the high tops, because I have a tendency to roll my ankles on the trails. If I ran more on the trails around here I'd buy a pair with a plate in the forefoot to protect against the rocks.

Snow

According to the weather folks, last significant snowfall in Nashville was 5 years ago. So, you need to take advantage of the snow when it really does fall. We got around 2-4 inches of snow in Murfreesboro. Hard to say exactly, it was blowing to much to measure. I like to run in the snow, more so when it's actually falling.

I planned on doing a 16 mile run, but because of the wind, cut it short at 10 miles. I stayed close to the house in case the wind and cold was to much. It was 26 degrees and 10-15 mph north winds. I was never more than 2-3 miles from the house at any time, just one giant loop through the residential neighborhoods to try and stay out of the wind and to get as much actual snow as possible.

The horses out at the MTSU agriculture center thought I'd come by to feed them. The roadway is almost a half mile long gravel with cross fenced holding pens on each side. The horses in each pen would start running when they saw me approaching, beautiful animals. Ends up by the time I got to the end of the road, someone was out in a Gator to feed them.

Had fun in the snow on the run. On the way home, ran into Paula and Dylan out for a walk with Lance. He's so short, all of his belly hair was frozen as well as all of the hair around his face. Got back home and cooked up a batch of chili to cook in the crock pot. Then Dylan and I went out to find some hills to sled. Everyone else in Murfreesboro must have had the same idea. We played for around a half hour before most of the snow was about gone and Dylan was ready to go home. 2 hours later and all of the snow is gone.