What Not to Wear

A friend of mine who has recently taken up running was asking about what I wore in the cold today.  I was already thinking I should write it down because I learned a lot about running in the super cold today.  I completely over dressed and was forced to stop and take off layers mid-way through the run.  Today's run temperature started off at 15º and ended at 20º.  There was little to no wind and it was sunny on all the trail we ran on.

What I wore:
powercore top
zip up fleece
first layer capri length running tights
powercore running tights
wool socks
inov8 ankle gaiters
fleece mittens
cotton neck gaiter
microfleece beanie
visor (of course)
trail shoes
microspikes

What I took off as I ran:
beanie
neck gaiter
zip up fleece
mittens (I took them off and put them back on multiple times)


What I should have worn:
powercore top + lightweight top layer
OR
lightweight long sleeve + mid-weight top layer
powercore running tights
wool socks
inov8 ankle gaiters
fleece mittens
ear warmer headband
visor (Always.  Except at night.)
trail shoes
microspikes

Snow Love

When I took Clarissa to school this morning it was pretty cold.  I was a little nervous about the run I had scheduled for less than two hours later. 

Luckily it was a sweltering 15º when we headed out and 20º by the end of our run.  Since both Katherine and I had other things going on in the north end of the valley this morning, we decided to hit up the Bonneville Shoreline Trail in a different spot.  We got on at the Emigration Canyon Trailhead and soon discovered that it was going to be a tough run.  The first half mile or so was a pretty tough uphill.  Luckily there were lots of rolling hills after that and the sun was shining.  It was a fun new trail and we had a wonderful adventure.

This section of the trail was up above the University hospital and was not the best scenery.  We skipped running on this section again. 

Ahhh... Now that's more like it!

So when Katherine says she wants to go up this hill to see what's on the other side I totally assume she's joking.  Wrong.

Up the hill we go!

We made it!  Unfortunately there were only more similar hills after this one, so we turned around and headed in a different direction.  Too bad we didn't have a sled!

Can you see me?

We were sure glad we turned around, because we found an awesome stretch of trail that was hidden, winding and beautiful with a spectacular view. 

On top of the world!

Deer tracks!

I also got the chance to try out my new Kahtoola microspikes.  Let me tell you they were worth every cent!  I never once slipped, ran like a beast downhill, crossed frozen puddles without worry and couldn't even tell they were on my feet!  Love at first run!  Even though running in the mountains in the snow is hard, it's so worth it.  I felt like a million bucks afterward and have had a fantastic day!  The cold wasn't even an issue and it turned out I was overdressed.  Fantastic!

7 miles 

1 hr 45 min

15 min pace (not shocking with all those photo op stops and uphills!)

2012 Runs

My total charted (I believe there were some I didn't write down) mileage for 2012: 873 miles.  I'm not a resolution setting person, but maybe my mileage for 2013 will be more.  Maybe I'll hit 1,000?  We'll see.  Unfortunately my right leg is bugging me again.  I'm not sure what's up with that, but it's ice, roll, rest and ibuprofen for this kid today.  Not a fun way to start the year, but a couple rest days should have me back on track.  Happy New Year!

Daily Snow Hike

Today Katherine and I hit up the Bonneville Shoreline Trail.  It was 25° out and snowing.  It was very rough going as the trail was very uneven and very slippery.  We had to slow to a crawl in many places just to get up and down steep slippery sections.  I was feeling very stiff and achy.  I found myself cursing a week of sea level runs.  It was, however beautiful out and I'm sure it was very good training for my race as it could very well end up being similar conditions.  Not that I want to think about a.) running in conditions like that for 31 miles, or b.) how long it would take me to finish a race in those conditions!  It felt more like a snow hike than a run.  What did Katherine call it?  A snowy mountain adventure, I think.

  Katherine snapped these three photos while we crept along.  Killer icicles.

Making my way down a rather slick section.

Blue skies over the valley.

I snapped this one after we were done.  I have a snow mustache!

We called it quits early.  Honestly I'm glad we made it as far as we did!  

3.1 miles

56:48

18:19 pace (The answer to how long would it take me to run a 50k in these conditions?  9 hours 27 mins at that pace! Yikes!  Hope for sunshine!)

Training Week 6

This week was fantastic!  Running in the warm weather with new terrain and scenery has left me head over heels in love with running again.  It's a good thing too, because it looks like I have some seriously snowy runs ahead of me this week.  I missed one run this week, due to being on vacation and traveling, but I figure three miles isn't going to make or break me in the long run.  It's a good thing I got most of my mileage in though, or I might have gained ten pounds!  My right leg is still a bit stiff, but my father-in-law and husband picked me up a foam roller on Friday so I've been rolling and feeling a lot better. I see a lot of rolling and stretching coming up this week.

Week 6
Monday: Sleep in, eat cookies
Tuesday: 3.01, eat pie
Wednesday: Sleep in, eat cookies & pie
Thursday: 6.01 eat more pie and cookies
Friday: 13.5 eat cake & brownies
Saturday: Sleep in, eat more cake & brownies
Sunday: travel
Total: 22.52 perfect vacation miles

Previous Total: 119.39
Training Grand Total: 141.91

Beach Bum Run

This morning I headed out early and ran through the neighborhood, then decided to head to the beach. The beach portion of the run was spectacular.  I loved it so much I found myself grinning ear to ear.  At one point I threw my hands up and in the air and gave a whoop!  I couldn't help it!  It was one of those amazing runs that make me glad to be alive.  I ran on the beach for about three and a half miles before I realized that I had passed my turn around point and would be adding extra mileage to my run.  At first I was a little bummed because I thought I might have added about two to three miles to my run and even thought about getting a ride, but by mile eleven I was happy about it and kept on keeping on.  It turned out I only added one and a half miles, which isn't so bad.  I ran on the beach for about 7 of the 13.5 miles I ran.  I wish I could run on the beach every day!  

 

Good morning sunshine!  

 

Peaceful, quiet and oh so beautiful!  

 

Can you see my happiness? 

 

It warmed up so much that I took my (long sleeved) top off.   Many of the locals were wearing long sleeves, sweatshirts and coats.  I got a lot of strange looks. 

 

 I'll miss the sunshine and waves.  Time to psych myself up for some fun snow runs!

13.5
2 hr 31 min

11:11 pace

Daily Vacation Mile

 

The view that greeted me this morning as I headed out on my run.  I ran through the golf course again, this time looping more of the course.  It was stunning with the water and the palm trees.  The air was crisp and I felt great.  The nagging in my right leg didn't make a peep while I ran and I thoroughly enjoyed the change of weather and scenery.  I saw a few heron, lots of squirrels, birds and very few people.  Just perfect!

 

This guy was eating a fish!   

 

The house at the end of my in-law's road is impressive to say the least.  This, I'm not even sure what it is but we'll just say building for lack of a better word, drive through building in the middle of the driveway amazes me.  It's not even the main house, but is as big as my house!  Some driveway, eh? 

 

Gorgeous!  Tomorrow I think I'll do my long run since the forecast calls for thunder storms on Saturday.   Maybe I'll run down to the beach tomorrow.  Oh boy!

6.01 miles

1 hr 02 min

10:19 pace (Hooray for lower altitude!)