V-Day

With the right gear, even running 10 miles in -16° temps with sustained winds of 25-30 mph is possible. On this sunny, but frigid Valentine's Day, Joe and I never considered the treadmill an option. Donned in running tights, running pants, wool socks, Gore-Tex shoes, a long sleeved fleece lined shirt, a second short sleeved race shirt, winter running coats, a balaclava, neck gaiter, heavy fleece brimmed hats and lobster gloves, we ventured out. We were warm enough, but the conditions do take a toll on the body. In this kind of cold, the body works extra hard to generate warmth, which leads to higher heart rates, rapid energy expenditures and dehydration (just like it does in heat and humidity). In the final 3 miles, my legs, though they didn't feel especially cold, grew stiff and heavy with fatigue from fighting through winds, that at times prevented little forward movement, and from the exhaustion of trying to contain the body heat that the wind could wipe away with a 5 second gust.

Pleased with ourselves for completing this heart healthy run, the rest of Valentine's Day included some pretty cool gift giving (the awesome shirt and gloves pictured here amongst other things), homemade heart shaped chocolate chip cookies and a Netflix binge whilst sunk into the couch with a boy in each lap ♥

Knock on Wood

Thus far, winter has been kinder and gentler this year, offering us good weather for Saturday long runs, and just enough powder here and there for snowshoeing fun.

 

We’re mid-way through the training cycle for our March half marathon, which incidentally was featured in this month’s Runner’s World magazine. Of the more than 2,100+ half marathons held annually across the United States, Run The Bluegrass was highlighted as one of the top 20 races for 2015. Maybe this honor will make me appreciate the hills more!

I continue to do the 80/20 training regimen, but due to snow covering the local tracks, I have not been able to perform additional MAF (Maximum Aerobic Functioning ) Tests since my initial one on Christmas Day (see the December blog titled “80/20” ). MAF testing is the best way to monitor aerobic progress. Without regular testing intervals, I’m shooting in the dark, which leads to on-going doubts and fears about how this training will yield results. I was briefly bolstered by my performance in the January snowshoe race, but felt dispirited quickly thereafter when my treadmill paces had to go down a notch for 2 weeks to keep my heart rate (HR) within certain parameters. My HR is on the mend now - I am able to run faster on the TM while keeping a lowered HR, but without the MAF testing, I don’t have a clear idea of how much progress I’m making, especially outdoors where it counts. While the first few weeks of the slow, low heart rate training were difficult to stick with, I am now in so deep (week 9 of 15) that I have to see it through to the end. I also remind myself that regardless of the outcome, 80/20 running saved me from reaching a desperate state of over-training. If I hadn’t enacted this approach when I did, my body may have taken me out of running altogether. As of today, I am not over-trained, am running healthy AND at 160 miles, am already 19 miles ahead of my mileage from last year at the same time. And what about Joe? He too is ahead of last year’s mileage, he is injury-free and getting faster all the time!