Training in Montana

New month, new life. Or not. Ran outside, great conditions. 29F with no wind, mostly overcast. Wore my tights and 1/4 zip warm running shirt, perfect, plus hat and gloves. Running outside trumps TM which we all know but I haven't done much outdoors the past few months.

AP: 7:45

January I did 84.5 miles which is the highest mileage since the 52 mile race in June. I'm ready to up my mileage.

4 TM miles at the Y at Noon plus a cool down. Watched another episode of Arrow. Totally realistic which is the best part. Arrows trump bullets always.

I'm writing this a few days later and I can't remember what I actually did today, but I'm pretty sure I went to the Y at lunchtime and I wasn't feeling it. I ran a bit, I walked a bit, ran a bit, then walked at a 10-15% incline for a bit and finally got to 3 miles but it was like pulling teeth. Only no blood at the end.

I needed to go into work on Saturday which is very rare for me, but I needed to get organized as that's something I've not paid attention to for far too long. Organized my office as best I could, threw away a bunch of stuff, and tried to do a few things more but that's all I got. That took a good 4+ hours, so then I went to the Y. My family was just leaving so that stunk, but they weren't heading home so I ran on the TM and watched shows on Netflix for a while. 6 miles felt good. I probably could've done 8 but I didn't have any easy running foods and it was 3 pm and I hadn't eaten lunch so I stopped. Did my arms workout then 30 push-ups (hard after doing arms) then 30 sit-ups. BTW, doing my hamstring stretches regularly after running has really helped. In the past year my hammies have gotten really tight when ramping up the mileage but stretching has helped. I normally don't stretch ever otherwise. No proof it helps means one less thing I worry about.

Before work. Crazy, I know. Not too windy, not too cold. Still chilly, but not bad at all. Listened to some old LDS general conference talks from October 1991 when I was a freshman in college. True doctrine doesn't age, but it was a step back in time thinking about where I was all those years ago. Great talks also about being good missionaries always and working hard, and keeping our standards up while the world changes - we don't need to change, just love those around us but don't need to bend to every whim of societal change. Good messages that stand the test of time.

3.5 at the Y this morning. I sped up as I had an 8:30 deadline at work. I not only didn't get my 4 miles, I was also late to the 8:30 huddle. With a drop of sweat rolling down my back as I stood there. Classic.

6 TM miles at the Y before a 7 am breakfast meeting (to which I was late). Late yesterday I was invited to a 7 am "Eagle Scout alumni" breakfast meeting with no strings attached (I know the guy in charge so knew that was true) and I debated whether to go or not. I knew I wanted to run 6 but also knew I had lunch plans, so that would mean getting up at 5 am to run. That's early. I thought no, but while drifting off to sleep I determined that going to the meeting would be a good thing but running came first for me so if I woke up at 5 am without an alarm clock I would go. Got to bed early enough that when I rolled over at 4:59 am I decided to arise and get on with it. Glad I did.

Good run, mostly at 7.1 mph, with a 1/4 at 6 mpm pace.

Took my daughter early to her elementary school's "Fit Kids" workout then headed to the Y. Thursday's normally a day off, so I took it easy. 1.5 miles of walking at 15% incline at 3.5 mph followed by 40 pushups and 30 situps.

I thought I'd been making progress on losing a few pounds with being more consistent lately so I weighed myself this morning. Turns out I've also been consistenly eating as I'm up a pound from last time I stepped on the scale. Hmph.

We've had great weather this week, like snow-is-all-melted kind of week with low temps in the 40s and 50s - amazing February weather. And I never got outside during the warm spell. Thought I would today so I didn't bring any warm clothes, and it was 38 at lunch time, a bit too cold for what I had. Rats. Ended up on the TM and did 6 miles. It's Friday, meaning I can do a longer lunch and not have guilt. 30 pushups & situps after, stretched my hammies.

10 TM miles at home while watching The Martian. Great flick.

4 TM miles at the Y. Watched a little SVU then some Arrow. SVU = great writing, cringe-worthy topics. Arrow = not-so-great writing, but fun topics.

Outside

Last weekend I was in Utah Friday-Sunday and I didn't fit in any runs. I also tweaked my left knee somehow, I think while sleeping. Getting old is awesome.

Hopped on the TM at lunch to try and run and no go. I think I hyperextended my knee somehow over the weekend and it just feels weird when I walk, so makes sense it felt weird while running.

I hit the bicycle and rode for 30 minutes and worked up a little sweat but I didn't push it hard.

3 elliptical miles. It felt good on my knee as it never goes into full motion. I think I'll stick with this for a little while until the knee feels normal. I know it's nothing serious, but I'm gonna baby the knee.

Went to work for a few morning hours then hit the Y. Elliptical for 4 miles, then 1 mile on the TM. I think I'm ready to run again, knee felt fine.

4 TM miles. Not running for a while made it a big tougher than I thought, but it was fine. Walked a bit, changed up speeds quite a bit, but I got the miles in, then 30 pushups and situps.