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.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Friday, March 7, 2008
Gimme a rabbit
Cold rain this morning. Radar showed a solid blob of green with some embedded yellow,(downpours). 41 degrees to start and a north wind, plus temperatures dropped to 39 degrees by the time we finished. I really expected Speedy to sleep in, but he was already at Comcast when I pulled in.
Tempo workout went really well. Speedy pulled me the entire way. Rain never let up until the last quarter mile home. Good thing he was pulling, between the constant rain and the cold wind in my face, it was a miserable morning. But, actually felt good doing the first 4 miles. Mile 5 was tougher, uphill and wind in our face. Mile 6 was difficult and wouldn't have stayed on pace without Speedy pulling me along.
By the time we finished the tempo we were completely drenched. My hands were like icicles, gloves weighed a pound a piece. Shoes were soaked after the first mile. It's almost impossible to miss all of the puddles, especially the ones that fill your shoes with ice cold water. Have to give Speedy credit; he pulled off the rabbit task without a whimper. I started whining from the time I got out of the car. But, it was a excellent workout. Averaged 6:40's for the 6 mile tempo. Not bad for no speedwork since Thanksgiving.
Tempo workout went really well. Speedy pulled me the entire way. Rain never let up until the last quarter mile home. Good thing he was pulling, between the constant rain and the cold wind in my face, it was a miserable morning. But, actually felt good doing the first 4 miles. Mile 5 was tougher, uphill and wind in our face. Mile 6 was difficult and wouldn't have stayed on pace without Speedy pulling me along.
By the time we finished the tempo we were completely drenched. My hands were like icicles, gloves weighed a pound a piece. Shoes were soaked after the first mile. It's almost impossible to miss all of the puddles, especially the ones that fill your shoes with ice cold water. Have to give Speedy credit; he pulled off the rabbit task without a whimper. I started whining from the time I got out of the car. But, it was a excellent workout. Averaged 6:40's for the 6 mile tempo. Not bad for no speedwork since Thanksgiving.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Sweet spot
Found the sweet spot this morning. I figured out why I like the super duper slow pace on the golf course. It's about the pace used on the recovery jogs in between repeats/intervals. Only thing is it took so long this morning to get 8 miles, the sun was already up. Cool sunrise, lots of color.
Course, also a spot when I'm doing a tempo run where the groove is on. Sure hope to hit it again tomorrow. Last week it wasn't happening. Some days it just doesn't click.
Also, another zone is the magic 8:00 minute pace I'm training to lock into. It's right about easy run pace, but a touch quicker. Almost in between marathon pace and easy run pace. If I relax to much or lose focus, I'll either speed up or slow down. Getting better at maintaining the overall effort which is easier than the locking exactly into the pace. That accounts for the ups and downs on the course anyway.
Course, also a spot when I'm doing a tempo run where the groove is on. Sure hope to hit it again tomorrow. Last week it wasn't happening. Some days it just doesn't click.
Also, another zone is the magic 8:00 minute pace I'm training to lock into. It's right about easy run pace, but a touch quicker. Almost in between marathon pace and easy run pace. If I relax to much or lose focus, I'll either speed up or slow down. Getting better at maintaining the overall effort which is easier than the locking exactly into the pace. That accounts for the ups and downs on the course anyway.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Gnat cloud
Thought I saw a few bugs flying around on the way out this morning on the greenway. Left the house at 4:30 am for 10 miles. Wind was strong and in my face on the way out, but plenty warm. Did see more than the usual amount of rabbits, maybe because I can actually see them now with my headlamp.
On the way back along the greenway I hit 2-3 spots of gnat clouds. Usually aren't this early, though. Yuck, not only sucking them in your nose and mouth but in your eyes. Time to start wearing the clear Oakley's for the morning run. Worst on the bike, but I won't be riding for another month or so.
Able to maintain the magic 8:00 mile overall pace. After compensating for a few slow miles with the wind in my face, I picked it up to even it out. 1:20 and some change for the 10 miles. Think I'll try this approach except on the long run, tempo and recovery days. Ha, that's only 2 days a week.
Smoothie for breakfast this morning, instead of my usual yogurt and granola. I used half as much granola, same amount of yogurt, equal amount of soy milk and a handful of frozen fruits. Yummy! Wish I could whip up one of those every afternoon, with just a shot of caffeine. That'd be the ticket instead of the afternoon coffee.
No, this isn't the smoothie I made
On the way back along the greenway I hit 2-3 spots of gnat clouds. Usually aren't this early, though. Yuck, not only sucking them in your nose and mouth but in your eyes. Time to start wearing the clear Oakley's for the morning run. Worst on the bike, but I won't be riding for another month or so.
Able to maintain the magic 8:00 mile overall pace. After compensating for a few slow miles with the wind in my face, I picked it up to even it out. 1:20 and some change for the 10 miles. Think I'll try this approach except on the long run, tempo and recovery days. Ha, that's only 2 days a week.
Smoothie for breakfast this morning, instead of my usual yogurt and granola. I used half as much granola, same amount of yogurt, equal amount of soy milk and a handful of frozen fruits. Yummy! Wish I could whip up one of those every afternoon, with just a shot of caffeine. That'd be the ticket instead of the afternoon coffee.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Spring
Not quite, but sure is coming quick. Saturday was nice, but Sunday was a really, really nice. 70 degrees by mid-afternoon. Did 11 miles at Spain hill trying to maintain a 8:00 pace, and dialed it in pretty darn close. Nice to be able to wear shorts and have the sun out, but not to warm. Even Darrell got out and hiked 11 miles from one end of the greenway to the other, plus a side jaunt to MOAB.
Gave Lance a haircut. He's one wiggley little dog. He's a Yorkie and his hair just gets longer. Real fine almost like human hair. I cut off close to a pound of hair. He doesn't get snippy like Tosha used to though. She would hold still, but reach a point where she'd had enough.
Not Lance, but spitting image.
Did 8 supposedly easy miles this morning on the golf course. Ended up with a 7:47 average pace, so much for a recovery run. Speedy pulled me along, otherwise it would have been 9:00 average pace.
Gave Lance a haircut. He's one wiggley little dog. He's a Yorkie and his hair just gets longer. Real fine almost like human hair. I cut off close to a pound of hair. He doesn't get snippy like Tosha used to though. She would hold still, but reach a point where she'd had enough.
Did 8 supposedly easy miles this morning on the golf course. Ended up with a 7:47 average pace, so much for a recovery run. Speedy pulled me along, otherwise it would have been 9:00 average pace.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Missin' the trails
Got out in the dirt this morning during the long run. On the first loop of Stones River Battlefield, I ran on the shoulder in the dirt and gravel. Instead of going around one more time, I jumped on the trail. Even though we've had lots of rain, the trail was pretty firm and only a couple of mud holes and standing water. Just isn't enough trail to make it worthwhile.
I haven't look at the Garmin data in detail to see how much trail, but I'd guess only 3 miles. What was really eye opening was the amount the pace slowed and the heart rate rose, dancing over and around all of the rocks. Really would have been better to have some trail shoes. Only got close to a face plant once.
Went up to the farm for the rest of the day. Bob was putting some windows in the barn, so we went up to help. Pushed around a bunch of dirt with the bucket on the tractor after we'd finished putting in the windows. Good thing for four wheel drive, the mulched tobacco stalks made quite a gooey bog. Hooked the logging chain up to a VW sized rock to drag it out of the rest of the tobacco stalks that need to be burned.
I haven't look at the Garmin data in detail to see how much trail, but I'd guess only 3 miles. What was really eye opening was the amount the pace slowed and the heart rate rose, dancing over and around all of the rocks. Really would have been better to have some trail shoes. Only got close to a face plant once.
Went up to the farm for the rest of the day. Bob was putting some windows in the barn, so we went up to help. Pushed around a bunch of dirt with the bucket on the tractor after we'd finished putting in the windows. Good thing for four wheel drive, the mulched tobacco stalks made quite a gooey bog. Hooked the logging chain up to a VW sized rock to drag it out of the rest of the tobacco stalks that need to be burned.
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