Training in Montana

Slept really poorly last night so didn't get up and run. Hit the Y at lunch time for Boot Camp. Pretty good upper body workout, some legs, not much cardio. The headband wasn't soaked, so I didn't do enough cardio...

6 miles this morning in a light snow with a breeze. Running with a headlight in the snow is a new experience for me and it was way too Star Wars-ish. Not as bad as driving at night in a snowstorm, but still made my eyes screwy. Pace was quite a bit slower, mainly due to tired legs. Add on a couple extra layers as it was 19 degrees, single digits with wind chill, and I felt like I was running with chains on. It was mainly boot camp fatigue, but in a good way. Hitting the  weights will help me out in the long run.

And a huge Happy Birthday to my sweet 6 year old girl, our youngest.

AP: 8:47 

6 miles in a windless 19 degrees. It was so nice! Wind would have made it miserable. Legs still a bit tired, pace quite a bit slower than last week, but muscles getting stronger.

My 6 year old daughter got her ears pierced last night. I had warned her ahead of time that it would hurt, but not to worry, and that she would cry, but the pain wouldn't last long. I have video of the first ear getting pierced and she got that look on her face of "What did YOU just do to me?" then started bawling. She was really close to not having the other ear done but I finally talked her into it, and it wasn't near as bad. A sweet experience.

AP: 8:42 

6 windy miles. I was happy to get a 1 day wind reprieve yesterday as today was 20+ mph. I first only had on tights and a couple shirts as 39 is balmy, but retreated inside to change and put on my windbreaker pants and jacket. They worked like a charm and each cost $10. Okay, the jacket I could do with getting a windbreaker that breathes, but it still does the trick, but the pants are excellent. I got a good night's sleep last night and I could tell, plus I wore fewer clothes and that seemed to up my pace. I bought some new shoes yesterday - trail version of my Brooks Adrenaline. They were comfortable and good stability. I figure I'll need them for my 50K in June. Overall, a good run.

AP: 8:24 

6 miles in cold and wind. The wind shifted so it was at my back heading out, which is odd. Sure helped my speed up the hill though. On the way back thankfully it shifted to be more sideways, but it was enough for me to put on my balaclava the last couple miles. Actually wasn't too bad out and I was dressed appropriately. I sweat like a horse inside my windbreaker, but better than having wind come through and chill me.

Tomorrow is the Virtual Run for Sherry Arnold and I'm hoping to do 15 miles in her honor but not sure how I'll fit it in around 4 basketball games. I'll do my best. 

AP: 8:14 

15 miles today for Sherry Arnold, the teacher/jogger who was killed in early January in Northeast Montana. Running for a cause was awesome - it made the miles fly by. The day started off at 3 degrees so I was glad I decided not to do an early morning run as we had a crazy day of 4 basketball games. I threw the clothes in the truck figuring I'd squeeze in 15 at some point. I had a large window in the afternoon and after putting some new podcasts on my mp3 player I headed out the door, delayed but determined. After 50 steps I turned around and grabbed my jacket - glad I did as it is so nice to come in warm the last couple miles. It had warmed to 24 degrees but overcast so I wasn't sure how to dress. I ended up wearing my tights under my wind pants and after 1 mile I was dying. I stopped, moved to the side of the country road, put my jacket on the 1" of snow and stood there in my stocking feet and removed the tights, just after a truck passed me. There are few cars on this road and of course I found one. Put the tights by a telephone pole and headed back out, feeling much better. On top I had a long sleeve tech shirt, a 1/4 zip lightweight pullover, and a heavier fleece 1/4 zip pullover, then a reflective orange vest with a Sherry Arnold bib pinned on front. It was a good choice on top - I was sort of chilly into the wind but not bad, and I knew I had the jacket in case. I took an easier route and it was a good choice. Still 800 feet of elevation over the course, so not a total walk in the park, but no killer hill so it didn't feel nearly as bad. I really enjoyed it. My niece had state swim meet so I called my Mom & Dad at about mile 6 to find out how it went and spoke to both of them for 10 minutes. That was fun - I don't normally talk to people on my runs. I'm primarily a solo runner. I don't mind running with others but have only done it 3 times. Not many people around! Speaking of not many around, on my 15 miles I was passed by how many cars? Wait for it. Wait for it. Four! I love living just outside of town.

Not sure what else to say, but prayers go out to the family of Sherry Arnold. She realized a lot of our worst nightmares, of going out on a morning run and never coming home. I hope and pray all the FRB folks have many years of safe running and cycling ahead of them.

AP: 9:00; total time 2:15

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