Tuesday workout: 8 mile run
Monday workout: 7 mile run
Sunday workout: 7 mile run
Aside from getting over my own sense of pride when it comes to running and my pace, as I addressed in one of my recent posts, I have been really enjoying my last few runs. In running, much like in life, one must accept that there is constant change we must adapt to. Nothing is static, and there is no straight path to get to where we want to go. What works at one point in your training may not work at another point in your training….running a certain number of miles or at a certain pace one week may not be what you are capable of or what’s best for you another week/time period. Right now, my mind and body are craving and loving my nightly runs. I just head downstairs to the TM, turn on my ipad, and just run however fast I feel like running for however long I feel like running. There is no plan, and I’m kind of liking that right now (although this could certainly change tomorrow, next week, or next month).
I am still congested, but my energy post-flu is back, and my knee is barely bothering me at all, so the last two runs I’ve picked up the pace a little bit, although it is still at a very comfortable pace (7.4-7.5 mph). The nice thing about not pushing it too much when running is that I can run every day without worrying about getting hurt or getting worn out!
Anyone else dealing with this frigid weather? And sorry, but if you’re from California, you’re not allowed to comment. 40 degree weather is NOT frigid ; ). The windchill was in the negatives this morning here in Chi-town. I’m sure y’all saw this hilarious Jimmy Kimmel clip, and if you haven’t, you must watch:
Los Angeles Overreacts to Cold Temperatures
Normally, I am quite spoiled and have the luxury of having Dean drive me to work, but he’s out of town for business this week, so I’ve been stuck having to get to and from work on my own (I know, life is rough ; ).
The temperature duing this morning’s bike commute.
Now, there’s nothing I hate more than standing in one place, waiting for the dam* bus to come by. I’m sorry, but I hate public transportation…I just do, especially if I am capable of getting somewhere on my own. By the time I walk to the bus stop and wait for the bus, I could’ve already nearly been to work by just biking. Plus, yes….you have an added windchill from the biking, but getting the heart pumping produces body heat which keeps you warmer than if you were just standing around outside waiting, so I’ve been biking to work (I’m only about a mile and half from the hospital…so it’s really not a big deal at all to bike). I sorta look ridiculous all bundled up and in my ski mittens, but you know what? When you move to Chicago, you learn that winter is not the time to worry about fashion (that’s actually year round for me : ).
Now, I’m not saying it’s a pleasant bike ride in. It is certainly COLD, but I’d still rather suffer in the cold biking than standing or shell out money for a cab when I can get to work for free.
Lucky you get a picture of my underwear. Ha. I went searching for my long underwear that I normally wear when I ski. I wore them for the bike ride to work. These really work! My legs weren’t cold at all unlike yesterday when I didn’t have them on biking.
I look like a mushroom or smurf or something. A very unhappy mushroom/smurf. haha.
I’m glad you’ve got your energy back!! Nothing like unplanned , go as you feel, type of runs.
Oh my goodness – I get sooo restless waiting for the bus, especially when it’s cold out – and it is really, REALLY cold out here!
If it’s this cold in Chicago, I can’t even imagine how cold it must be for you!!
It is so cold out and good for you for still biking! I take the train to work and I get on/off the train underground so it’s really no biggie for me to take public transit since it is somewhat warm when I’m underground. Waiting for a bus though would be brutal!
You are SO much more brave than I. I could NEVER bike to work in this weather. I’m such a wuss for the cold. I also hate public transportation though, so I don’t know what I’d do!
Great mileage!
I’m only out biking for a mile and a half, so its not as bad as it sounds….would be a lot worse if I was biking, say, ten miles into work!! I would probably find some other way to get to work if that was the case! Luckily, my fiance returns today so I can start getting chauffeured to and from work again : )
THAT IS WAY TOO COLD!!! You better stay warm girl. I can’t even imagine. I loved that first paragraph about change and accepting change in our training. Just what I needed to read, thank you!
The whole accepting change and fluctuations in our training is so hard. When I think about it rationally, how could I expect myself to run the way I did at another time point when I had more time to train and wasn’t sick or dealing with other obstacles? And yet, my not-rational/emotional side gets upset when I don’t run at the pace I’m capable or once capable of. Ha, it’s so stupid…we runners all need to be less hard on ourselves : )
I’m impressed that you’re still bike commuting! I am dying to get back on my bike, but I’m nervous about how long my commute is (13 miles). I have a fear that I’ll get so cold halfway through, and be stranded on the lakeshore somewhere between the Loop and Hyde Park.