Training in Montana

4 miles this cold snowy morning. It's a lovely winter day only 9 days before May. Sigh. 24F but felt like 11F with wind chill. Downright balmy. I overdressed as I didn't want to be chilled, and that made me feel a bit more sluggish than normal. It was nice running on crunchy snow as it provided lots of traction. No idea on pace.

Noon: Went to my weekly Boot Camp session. Partly I was not feeling it today, partly we worked on upper body (shoulders, arms, etc) and my upper body is weak. But during abs I couldn't do it all either. I think residual tiredness from a long fun weekend.

6 brisk miles this winter morning. 21F, 7F with wind chill. This should be the last of winter weather for the year (hopefully). I felt pretty good this morning and didn't push the pace, but was still holding it nice and steady. The wind was from the side and on the way back my rear end became quite icy. A lovely feeling. Per my morning ritual (although I don't write about it) did 25 pushups while waiting for the shower to warm up. It's only 25 a day but amazing what  difference it makes for my core and the other affected upper body muscles.

AP: 8:13

6  miles. Snowed a skiff again this morning. A bit warmer but still windy and cold. Kept it steady today but legs were a bit tired. Looking forward to a break tomorrow, 10 on Friday, 18 on Saturday. Haven't done more than 14 since the last marathon.

AP: 8:27 

I think Spring may have actually sprung for good. This morning was clear and 48F. It was 13 mph wind so felt a bit chilly, but only wore tights & a long sleeve tech shirt with gloves. So lovely. I ran up my Veyo hill and back, my normal Friday route now (and lots of Saturdays too). I kept it slower than previous times as I want to get in a good effort tomorrow doing 18. My legs didn't feel great, but not bad. I didn't get great sleep last night so I'll attribute it to that. Overall, a good effort. I didn't feel strong up the hills but I didn't have to go to my happy place either so that's a success. Heading to Great Falls, MT today for a long weekend of Boy Scout meetings (the Montana Council annual meeting). I look forward to doing 18 on their river trail system. I wish I could do the run on dirt trails, but running next to a river is a really close second.

AP: 8:40

18 long  miles in Great Falls starting at 4:30  this morning. Good run before meetings.

I woke up at 4 as I budgeted 3  hours for the run and my first meeting started at 7:50. I  figured that would give me time to shower and eat and I  was pretty close.  Winds  predicted for 30 mph this morning but thankfully I missed most of it. Used the headlamp the first hour then didn't need it. I was trying to find the paved path by the river but thankfully stumbled onto a perfect country road I stayed on the entire time. Fewer than 10  cars passed me.  Legs finally felt good after 6 miles and I cruised along until 13 after

  which it was a bit of a struggle. The wind was at my back on the return which helped.  I  kept a  decent  pace the last few but not marathon worthy by any stretch. A  good first long run in a while.

AP: 8:56