Training in Montana

6 warm miles in the wind this morning. The out was directly into the wind but because I couldn't get away for my long run on Saturday while at the Klondike, my legs were fresh. I was running about 45 seconds faster per mile than I expected to be running. After the turnaround the wind was at my back so I was able to go fairly quick with a lower effort.

1X60 plank & bicycle, 25 pushups.

AP: 8:07 

A big ARGHHHHHHH to the wind this morning. It was a sideways wind most of the way, but my route has me running every direction, so if it's windy it's a pain for long stretches. The West wind this a.m. got me right as I left the house, then for good long stretches. My longest stretch is North-South so at least it was only rocking my side, but still. A treadmill is much nicer than wind. That being said, having it at my back was nice. I went even faster today even though getting out of bed was tougher. I wasn't trying to go faster so it seems upping my mileage is really making a difference. I'm excited for some races this spring. I hope to do a 5K and 10K before my 50K, then will do a July half. I think I'll do the local marathon in September, even though it's on a Sunday and I don't normally run on Sundays. It's here in town, we have late church, and there won't be any travel costs involved. That being said, I'd like to do St. George again, and it's only 2 weeks after the local marathon. A friend of mine does both every year, but she's crazy. I guess if I get into St. George I'll do it again. It is an awesome race. Or should I bother trying to get into St. George and just save my travel money? Decisions, decisions.

By the way, 141 miles, my 2nd highest monthly total to date, and I wasn't training for anything and my longest run was 11 miles. I'm liking this. I would've had my highest total to date if not for the Scout event on Saturday, so I'm feeling good.

AP: 8:02 

The wind gods heard my pleas and chilled out this morning. There was very little wind this morning and it was a nice break. I tried to run slower today and I achieved that by a bit, but my legs felt good. I am looking forward to testing them out. Just found a 10K or Half in March that I'll try and do, schedule permitting. That will be a nice test of fitness. I think I'll do the 10K as I don't have a time for that distance.

1X60 plank, bicycle, toe touches. 3X10 PT-type squats (groin still hurting).

AP: 8:11 

Noon: talked myself into doing Boot Camp. What was I thinking? It was a great workout but now I'm really tired and know I'll be sore tomorrow, and even more sore Friday. My new theory is that my groin problem happened because I stopped Boot Camp and I'm not doing enough exercises to strengthen the adductor muscles. I think I'll try Boot Camp once a week and see if that does the trick. All the squats and lunges today have to help. I couldn't do a few of the exercises because the groin hurt. What a pain. (Pun intended).

Slept in a few minutes so only time for 5 miles. I thought I'd be incredibly sore from yesterday's Boot Camp, but it will hit tomorrow. I felt pretty good on the run so I kept the pace up, although sometimes I didn't mean to - I was running much faster than I thought I was. I tell you, treadmill running really helped me with getting an efficient turnover. I'm sure I still have lots of areas for improvement that I could be coached on, but for being self taught I feel pretty good.

AP: 7:52 

My wife headed out today on a girl's weekend to the mountains so I stayed home from my run and helped her get ready. THAT is true love.

At lunch I went to Boot Camp. Pretty good session, kicked my butt. I haven't done a Friday Boot Camp for a long time as the last time I did Friday my Saturday long run really suffered. Seeing if my fitness has improved enough where I can handle a hard workout then run long. I'm shooting for 15 miles tomorrow. Anyone want to join me? 6 AM at my house. Dirt roads most of the way! Gorgeous views. 

I planned on 15, but I'm doing 15 next week for the Sherry Arnold Virtual Run (http://www.shutupandrun.net/2012/01/virtual-run-for-sherry-arnold-february.html). Hopefully the FRB community can support this. I'll put something on the discussion board - others who read this please share it on your blogs.

My legs are not so fresh anymore. After hitting Boot Camp on Wednesday & Friday my legs are beat. I knew it would wear me out but wanted to see how I'd do. I did just fine! Tired, but made it through. I took the hard route, up my Veyo-type hill. I stopped once before hitting the hill, stopped at the top of the hill, and stopped another mile after that to eat. I hit 6.55 miles in 1:01:36 and was hoping I'd be faster back home. Of course I was - the up was almost 1000 feet. Cruised nicely back home, except for one killer hill with 2.5 to go. It's my least favorite hill near me because it comes after a nice long downhill, then I go down again only to regain a bunch of elevation before I can go back down again. My breathing was very shallow - my throat was cold (it was in the low 20s) as I had unzipped my 3/4 zip shirt partway for heat. Guess I pushed it a bit too much up there, but in the cold I can handle it. That was my undoing in St. George was pushing it in the heat and my body said "Um...you haven't trained us for heat. Slow down dude." Anyhow, the cold is my friend.

Made it home and I was a sweaty sucker! Amazing how much sweat could accumulate in the low 20s. It was a gorgeous sunny morning so the sun on my black clothes probably kicked the internal temps up a bit. Anyhow, good overall run.

AP: 8:43. Splits at the link below.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/147140107