Training in Montana

First off, Happy 74th birthday to my Dad, who started my marathon dream in 1987.

Dropped my 13 year old off at basketball practice this morning then hit the Y for 6 TM miles with a 5 minute cooldown.Around 2 miles the worker cleaning off the machines bumped my TM cord and it powered off. I thought I'd bumped the panic button but when the lights stayed off I realized what she'd done, but she was already gone. The bump and dash technique! So, not sure of my paces. Started at 5.5 as my right adductor was sore - it's a lifelong problem that I thought I had kicked but I need to pay more attention to it again. After 5 minutes it felt better so I bumped it to a 6.6 for a while, then a 6.9. At 3 miles I took it to a 7.6 (8:00 pace) and kept it there until 5 miles, when I took it to a 7:00 pace (8.6?) and at 5.75 a 10.0, then at 5.95 I cruised on in at a 12.0. I got some looks so I'm sure some people thought I was showing off, but I wasn't - just felt good. I've figured out the 10.0 and up stride - just a glide with no bounce. Maybe someday I can do that outside the gym.

6 miles on the treadmill this morning plus a 5 minute cool down. Ended with 1X60 plank, 1X60 bicycles, 25 pushups, 3X12 PT-type squats, 3X8 PT-shoulders, and 3X12 curls.

6 TM miles plus 5 minute cool down. 1X60 plank, 1X60 bicycle, 25 pushups.

6 gorgeous miles this morning outside on my country lanes. 15 degrees with a 10 mph wind from the WSW so I wore my awesome camouflage balaclava. It's thin but all I need to keep my chin warm enough to spit without drooling - the real test to see if it's too cold. I kept nice & warm. On the way to the turnaround the crescent moon had just risen, a star was faintly seen near the moon (Venus?) and the Eastern horizon glowed with the hint of sunrise. Completely clear skies. Gorgeous. This is one of the reasons I run in the morning. I've been grumpy all week and it's probably because I'd been stuck inside the past 3 mornings. I don't hate the treadmill in the weekday mornings - not crowded in there - but I miss my outside.

AP: 8:41 or so.

Progression TM run, but all my TM runs are progressive. I warm up, then I want off so I go faster & faster & faster until I hit my mileage. Warmed up at 6.0 & 1% for .5 miles then bumped up to 6.7 for a while, then 7.3 for a good chunk. At 3.0 miles I bumped to 8.3, at 3.5 miles upped it to 9.3, and at 3.75 I finished at a 10.3. That last .5 mile was tough but fun. Also interesting to see my form in the mirror (wall of mirrors in the front) compared to the guy who had been next to me and kept bumpiing up to a 10.0. He looked like a chicken flapping his wings. His form was horrible and he looked like he was about to die. I really wanted to say something to him or show him by example but I wasn't warmed up yet. Not that I have fantastic form, but when I was at a 10.3 it did look fairly effortless - I just try to glide along without bouncing. It's a definite improvement over when I started running and would bump it up to the higher notches of the mill.

Merry Christmas to all! Not sure I'll make it out for a run today. My beloved may need some kitchen help. And the kids may need some Y time to get them out of her hair.

After helping get the table set for dinner I snuck in a short run. My 13 year old boy came with me for the first mile then turned around. I went another mile before heading back. I did a couple bursts of speed and can I say how nice it is to run downhill? When I turned off the main road a car was turning and going my way and I raced him for a bit. It's a bumpy dirt road and he was driving a Caddy so he was going slow, but that was fun. I checked my watch and I was at a 6:00 minute mile. Short burst, but enjoyed that. Just finished Christmas Eve dinner - yum. Now time for our Nativity pageant followed by dessert. Isn't that how it happened 2000 years ago? Fairly sure of that. Merry Christmas all!