Too Cold!

Yesterday went skiing in 0º. Today it stayed below zero so I stayed inside. Good thing I have a gym membership! Looks like I'm gonna spend a lot of time on the treadmill this winter!

Snow Run #1

We finally got a warming spell. It was 33º today, no wind chill, so I made it outside for a run. This was my first run on snow ever. I didn't try the trails because they are snowmobile trails during winter, and I don't want to share the road with them. So I stuck to the plowed roads around my house. It was really slippery at first, I found out I had to take small steps and look for the packed snow, but once I got the hang of it, it was actually fun. It's so quiet with snow everywhere, peaceful. And I think I got a few of those "are you crazy?" looks from motorists going by. Love that. I went slow so I wouldn't slip, and just did 3 miles. I took some pictures of the lake and all the ice houses and snowmobiles. Tomorrow we are having below zero wind chill temps again. As always, I'm so glad I went when I had the chance. First run in the snow and first run with my Garmin. Hope to do lots more soon!

Merry Christmas!

It has been a beautiful Christmas, our first in Minnesota.  My son is in town visiting from college, so all five of us are home together. That is enough in itself honestly, but with the snowfall, cut your own Christmas tree farm, and arboretum light display, it's been a really wonderful season. I got a couple of great running related gifts, fleece lined athletic pants and a Garmin Forerunner 10. I'm excited to try out the Garmin, but it's too cold to run outside most days. It will be good motivation to try to get outside any day that I can though. I also ordered two running related books today, "Run Like a Mother" and "Train Like a Mother". I realized I need a training plan to follow if I want to go further, faster and without injury. I just ran all summer, really not with a focused goal, just trying to get into better shape. The result was that I did go farther and get faster, but I also hurt myself. I'm hoping that with a plan to follow, I won't overdue it and keep injuries at bay. My hip does feel better, but it's been a couple of weeks since I've tried to run. I have to get back into training if I'm going to complete the virtual 10K in February I already registered for. Also, the first big race of this area, Run For the Lakes, is in April. I haven't decided which distance I want to do in that race, it will depend on my hip and how I feel by then, but I definitely want to participate in it because it's a big deal for the runners in this area. I'm still looking for a mom/womens running group in my area. The closest I've found is St. Cloud, but that's an hour away, which is too far for training runs. Pretty soon I'll sit down and plan out more races for 2014. I'm excited to actually make a plan for the upcoming year, it will be the first time I ever start the year with running goals already in place! Usually, I just run to get in shape. It's fine, but I like having specific events to train for better, then the getting in shape part just happens as you train to compete. :-)
Happy Holidays!

Street view

This is my street right now. I wish I could go for a run on it, doesn't it look beautiful? We got all this snow the week after Thanksgiving, and frigid temps to match. I'd love to try a snow run, but I think the warmest it has been lately is 8. Seriously? Brrrrr!

Speed Bump

I try not to let the cold affect me, but it totally does. It is finally above zero today. 13 F right now. I want to go to the gym, but I don't even want to go outside. I am really missing my treadmill these days! Then again, with my hip hurting, I probably couldn't use it either. Tuesday I used the elliptical at the gym (hurt) then switched to the spin bike which didn't hurt. Managed to do 100 squats, pain free, too. After the spin I was able to really stretch my hip very well, and actually have felt better ever since. So, I guess it's off to the gym with me so I can spin and then stretch. Hurry, because now I have to wear clothes, change at the gym, then change back because it is so COOOOOOOOOld outside!!!

First Run Related Injury

So I finally had to admit that the nagging pain in my hip wasn't going to go away, so I went to the chiropractor Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Apparently, all the running and workouts I have been doing are great- but not when you forget to stretch afterwards, which I regularly forgot to do. I was told no running for the week of TG, but I did run 3.7 miles on Thanksgiving morning, just because I felt I needed to for my own sanity and because I'd been envisioning myself running on Tgiving morning ever since the season changed. It was 20 degrees outside that morning, and my knees were aching at the end of the run. I think that is as cold as I can run with the gear I own.

So this is what my chiropractor was working on:

Right Sacroiliac joint

left L3 and sacrum

right glutial medius muscle

right quadratus lumborum muscle

I still feel a hitch in that place, although it's better than before. Of course he gave me stretching exercises, told me to do them four times a day, and I have yet to do them. So I have to put myself on a regimen to do them, and I don't want to go back to him until I've tried them a little while.

Last week I didn't work out partly because my hip still hurt, partly because I was exhausted from hosting company for the holiday and partly because it was below zero all week and snowing and icy and so i was avoiding driving. Actually,  I did spend a good amount of time shoveling snow last week, probably 3-4 hours over the course of the week, so it's not like I really rested and did nothing! That is much more tiring than I expected it to be!

Now, the roads should be OK, it's still below zero but at least it's not snowing so I can go to the gym. I also have DVDs that I could have done, which I don't know why I didn't think to do, but I guess I just wasn't in the mode. This morning I am up 3 pounds from Thanksgiving, which is due to the carbs I've been eating and the workouts I haven't been doing. And I can already feel my leg muscles softening up from not running, doing step aerobics or the 100 squats a day. So I will put myself back on a plan today to maintain for the month of December.

I liked that Nov challenge of 100 squats a day, it seemed to really help my legs and butt tone up, so I am going to do that again this month. 

Also- I learned to SKI!!! It was so much fun! I hope I can do that a lot more this winter, but it's sooo cold now I don't know how I could. Today the sun is shining and it is -5 degrees. How does that even happen? Crazy!!

Hip check

My right hip still hurts from my birthday. It is aggravated every time I go outside into the cold. It was so cold this weekend I didn't get out for a run. Partly because I don't have warm enough gear and partly because my hip hurts so much. I've never had a problem or pain like this before. Don't really know what to do about it either. Stinks.

Not a Typical Tuesday

Tuesday I missed my usual workout class in the morning waiting for my in-laws to come into town. They traveled all night so when they took a nap to recover I went to the gym to get a workout in. I used the spin bike in the room all alone *sorta boring* for 45 min. Then I jumped on the treadmill to see how my back/hip would feel. I surprised myself by going 2 miles actually pretty fast. I kept upping the speed expecting it to get too hard but found I was able to handle it. It felt so good to be moving. Then I did my 100 squats and ab work. I felt amazing after that workout. Unfortunately, I haven't gotten another run in since. I should have gone yesterday because it was a beautiful 50 degrees. Today was a cold, icy 25. Very different!  I will have to work at staying in a routine with guests here. It's easy to just sit around visiting until you don't have time to go anymore. I'll have to make a point of going first thing in the morning so the rest of my day can go with the flow.

Chilly Morning Thoughts

This is good news for me. Yesterday I went out for a 4 miler, in 34 degrees and I didn't even flinch at the cold. I've figured out that doing 5 min warm up inside before I go really helps because then I don't have to do a warm-up walk in the cold, plus it gets the internal furnace started that much earlier.
As I started running, I enjoyed feeling the cold air coming into my lungs. It's fresh and crisp, and I felt like I was clearing out my lungs and filling my body with new oxygen. I actually thought to myself that running in 30 degree weather is my new favorite thing! The air is really clear this time of year, and you can feel winter coming. I went down my usual route, which has trees and long driveways on one side, but forest on the other side. There weren't as many small animals out scurrying around as I usually see. I did see a pack of wild turkeys on my left which got me thinking about Thanksgiving. My thoughts then turned to my family as I turned on the route towards the lake. The trees around the lake have lost their leaves, so you can see it from further away. I run out on a little Peninsula that has houses on one side and docks and lake shore on the other. The lake ice on the dockside is forming along the coast. It isn't thick at all, but it was already going out about 20 feet. Beyond that there was a group of ducks swimming around. I assume they were taking a rest on their way south. By this time I had gone almost four miles, and was at the end of the run. I was still moving slowly, never really found my speed yesterday, but right now I am not too worried about speed. This part of the year it's going to be a challenge for me just to keep running. At the gym today, one of the gals in my spin class said she never goes outside to run, she's afraid of wild animals. She is at the gym 5 days a week, and is in really great shape. I couldn't help but think, what is it for? Why go to the gym to bust your butt if you don't go outside into the world and use that fitness for some kind of fun activity?
I realized that I don't run to be a smaller size or to look better. I hope that I do look better, especially as I get older. But I love to run because of the activity itself. It's so nice to get outside at least an hour every day, feeling the fresh air, the sunshine. seeing animals and birds up close. I love what running allows me to do, listening to my own breathing, sweating all the stress out of my body and letting my thoughts wander. The time I spend running is my time for meditation and prayer. I usually listen to music, but sometimes it's nice to pull the headphones out and just listen to the sounds around me. Not all runs are the best. But no matter, because you know when it is over you will feel so much better. Many times I have regretted not getting outside to run, but I can't think of a time that I ever regretted going. I always feel refreshed and renewed, and like I can take on whatever the rest of the day brings. Speaking of, time to go take on this one.

Birthday Run

Sunday was my birthday, so of course I did what any runner does, I started the day with a nice run. It was chilly, 38 degrees, but the sun was out. Finally, some sunshine!! I just headed out my front door and went around my neighborhood on a route that has the most views of the lakes. Like my last run, I didn't really have a plan other than I wanted to go about 5 miles. I ended up going 6.13, and took my time, 1:07. There were a few walk breaks in there, so the average pace was 11:05, but I was running closer to a 10 min mile. It's a nice way to celebrate your birthday, another year older, but still up and moving. Of course I'm not old or anything, but that is one of the inspiring things about running, there are people who run all of their lives.
One drawback- I felt great on my run, but my hip was so stiff later in the day, and in fact bothered me enough yesterday that I didn't do any type of workout. It is still a little sore today, but I might try a jog or walk and see if that helps.  I guess this is what a birthday run is all about, yes you can still run (good for you), but be careful cause you ain't getting any younger!
So, weather-wise, it has suddenly changed. I think it's going to warm up again into the 30s later in the week, but yesterday it stayed in the teens, and today is only 20 and breezy. For me this is sooooo cold!!! I really have to get some good winter running gear. We don't have a running store around here, but there are a few sports stores, plus I've been looking online. One blogger recommends Brooks gear, another one Nike, The North Face has some nice items, I've worn Athleta gear before so I know I like that. I have a hard time buying things that are so pricey when I can't see them in person. Just gotta take the plunge and buy something I guess. Or else I'll be stuck on a treadmill for the next however many months.
I know I can handle running in the 30s- something I never had to do in California. It's funny, the only winter running gear I owned in CA was a light jacket from Target and a pair of running gloves and a hat. And I hardly ever wore the hat or gloves and the jacket would end up tied around my waist by the end of the run. Our weather was so temperate in the winter compared to this place! If we were in the 30s during the day that was a major cold front, and I'd just use the treadmill for a couple of days until it warmed up into the 50s or 60s again.
I just realized I won't see the 50s or 60s again for months. Months! People around here say it's not really winter until the snow comes, so they are still living in the mindset that this is fall. For me, this is serious winter weather already. I have a feeling it's gonna be a looooong winter!

Warming Up for Winter

I've been using the gym for the past week, but today I decided it's time to get back outside. After my last run, my foot was sore and I'm so paranoid about getting an injury that I kept holding back and not going out for a run. But I have been working out in the gym with no problems, and the sun was shining this morning again finally, so outside I went. I wasn't worried about going a certain distance or going a certain speed, in fact I didn't push myself at all, even took a few walk breaks. I ended up with a 5 mile run which is great. I ran in the range of 10-11 min mile, which is fine for me, but my overall speed looks slower because I did take a few walk breaks in there. I walked so I could pay attention to myself; how did my feet feel, was I cold, how was my breathing, etc. I think it's good to take a self-assessment when you are running once in a while. I have a tendency to lose myself in the music and the rhythm of it, and then I don't realize my calves are hurting or my legs are freezing or something. In a way it's good, because it means you ignore the pain and get the run done. But in a way it's not good, because if you're cold and you need to layer up, it's better to realize that, or if you're hurting and you need to back off, it's important to listen to your body. But in order to listen, you must pay attention, so I tried to do that today.
What I am really happy about, is that I haven't gone outside for a run in two weeks, and yet today I was able to do a nice easy run that was 5 miles long and speed averaged 10-11 mpm. That's where I wanted to be when I first started running again, so it shows that I am getting that fitness level than I'm looking for. It also means I need to set another goal for myself and get to the next level, whatever the next level for me is.
Also- I haven't been out to run because I thought it was cold. It's in the 30s here, which to Minnesotans is not actually cold yet, but to Californians, this is winter cold. And I have a great pair of winter running tights that I can't find since the move, so I wore winter yoga type pants instead. They were warm and comfortable, did just fine, but I really miss my running tights. Where the heck did those things go??? I also wore an under layer for warmth and then a jacket. I was actually too hot. I should have left the jacket at home because less than halfway in I wished I didn't have it. It wasn't too bad though, and it's a good sign that I can get too hot running in 30 degree weather with gear I already own. I'm on the lookout for a good winter running outfit, maybe I can get that for my birthday???

Here I am at the end of my run, and above is my route. I saw that the small ponds around here are starting to form ice. Pretty soon I will get my chance to run in the snow for the very first time ever. It's coming!!!

On the move again

After a nearly two week illness and a plumbing calamity at home, I'm finally getting back into the swing of things. Went to a spin class on Friday and Saturday mornings. Today I headed outside for a short run, even though I couldn't find any headphones (kids) but didn't make it. I wasn't even to the end of the street when the rain started. I'm not afraid or even opposed to running in the rain, but not in cold 40 degree rain especially when I have my phone on my arm band. So I ended up going to the gym in the evening and using the treadmill. Did 35 minutes,  just over 3 miles. I don't know exactly since the treadmill turned the stats off before I saw them. Oh well.  A day of technical difficulties but at least I still got in a decent workout. Also doing the 100 squats a day for the month of November. At first I was doing a group at a time until all were done. I don't have enough patience so tonight I just did all 100 at once. Gonna have some good buns by December!! 

February Virtual Race

http://momsrunthistown.com/winter-virtual-race/

OK- I signed up for a virtual winter race. I signed up to do the 10K. It has to be completed in February, which means I'm likely to have to complete it on a treadmill. That's OK though- at least it's a goal to work towards. I have never done a 10K race, but last Monday I ran 6.5 miles in 1:11. I wasn't racing, and my legs were really tight so my pace was a little slow. At least I know I can do a 10K, but I'd like to do it closer to a 10 min/mile pace. Something to work towards...

Here Comes the Winter!

So I titled this blog, "Confessions of a Summer Runner" because I am a pretty dedicated runner, when the weather is nice. Historically, I do a lot of running between the months of March and October, and very little the other four months of the year. This is because I don't like to run when it's cold, and especially when it's cold and windy. It worked OK for me before though, because living in Southern California, there were plenty of warmish sun shiny days between October and March to keep my legs up, and I had a treadmill in the house for the days that were too yucky to be outside. My running also took a back seat to my busy schedule as a teacher and mom of three, unfortunately resulting in almost no running during the busiest parts of the school year.
This summer, due to my husband's career, my family moved to central Minnesota. It's beautiful and amazing here and we love it. But here we are in October, not even Halloween, and it's already in the 30s!! We've already seen snow flurries! This is serious winter weather for me coming from California, but I realize that it's nothing compared to what is coming.
So my challenge to myself this year is to NOT let the schedule slip. I don't have a teaching job right now, and although I plan to start working, it won't be the type of job that requires as many at home hours of planning as teaching does, so I should still be able to keep up a schedule. Now the real challenge is, how in the heck do people keep a running routine going in a Minnesota winter? I didn't have room in the truck to bring my treadmill, so I gave it away to a dear friend- which I am actually glad I did, because it forced me to join a gym and actually go use it. I have already met other moms by taking the step and spin classes at the gym. I hate using treadmills in gyms, so I've been doing all of my running outside. But I know there will come a point when it's just too cold, and I'll have to drudge the time out inside. So be it.

Last year I ran several 5k races and I LOVED it! The camaraderie I found at the races with friends and my family who came was sooo much fun. For two of the races I ran with my hubby and daughters, and we had such a blast! But even the few I did alone were fun and it gave my training a sense of purpose when I knew I had a race ahead of me. There are a lot of races in this area in the spring and summer, but understandably, none during the winter, so I will have to keep myself going until the racing season comes around again.

So the goal:  Keep up the the training schedule that I started over the summer. This is 2-3 cross training classes at the gym per week. Running 3-4 days per week, averaging 5 miles each run, so 15-20 miles per week.

I'll try to run outside as much as I can, but I will have to learn all about how to stay warm in low temperatures, because I have 0 experience in this. And if I'm not sure, I'll run inside because safety and health overrides everything else.

In the process, I hope to boost my fitness level and lose some extra pounds that I gained during teaching. I also hope to meet some other fun ladies who like to run, and maybe even create a group that runs together and keeps each other motivated during the long cold winter.