A New Year

So, again, it's been a while. I think this might be an unfortunate trend since I'm never good at publicly sharing my thoughts... but I am so excited for this new year.

Last year I ran more than I have ever run, gone from a person who occasionally runs to a runner. I think this might be a more sustainable hobby for me than frisbee (after all, you only need one to run, but you need 13 others to play a good ultimate game, something my team could rarely conjure up for practices) but I can't leave my love for frisbee behind. Winter league starts on Wednesday, I believe. That's incredible! I can't wait. And I got sidetracked.

Anyway, the point is that I want to run more this year. More frequently, longer distances, you name it. And that includes a half marathon with Jess.

I've now started extending my long runs to be 60 minutes at least, with my furthest so far today at 73 (7.8 miles!). That was an incredible feeling to have accomplished that. I discovered more of my town than ever before because, hey, when else have I gone 3.5 miles there and then back again through side streets. But I found a route that has side walks the whole way, which I'm super pumped for.

Now I just need to figure out this joint-pain thing. All seems well and good until a certain point in my run (it came around 55 minutes last long run, about 35 this time) when the outsides of my hips start to ache, then my hip flexors. And sometimes knees, too. There's an injury clinic at Fleet Feet this Saturday that I won't make, but again on the 22nd that I will try to check out. Maybe they can give me insight as to whether I just have the totally wrong shoes or if there is something I can do with my stride. Or if I've been cursed with my mom's joints, making this a painful goal.

Either way, although I can still feel my knees 8 hours after my run, I'm so excited I ran almost 8 miles. This is going to be a great year.

6.5 miles!

What a great run. It took a lot of motivation (who wouldn't rather be sitting on the couch warm and watching Gilmore Girls than outside in the beginnings of snow flurries) but it was worth it. This is my longest distance...ever. That's neat to say. My goal was to run for 60 minutes and when I got back to my apartment with 2 minutes to spare, I ran circles around the covered parking areas. That's dedication.

All in all, running in 29-feels-like-25 degree weather was better than I expected. I found that:

1) you run faster in cold weather. (Probably because it's so cold you want to be home faster)
2) nothing hurts in cold weather. (Probably because everything is numb in the first place)
3) Car exhaust stays much closer to the road. Gross.

Until next time,
C

we're men...we're men in tights

Well, I am a woman, but I was in running tights this morning, testing out the cold. 3 miles and it wasn't that bad! The nice thing about the cold was that it made me super fast (probably because I wanted to get out of it asap) but also it led to a decently comfortable run. The only problem was the wind that hit me at the beginning and end of my route. Aside from that, I can totally take on this running in the cold (and daylight. Next test will be the cold and dark after work)

Tomorrow: long(er) run with my new tights! I actually can't wait.

it's cold!

With the highs between 35 and 40 degrees F and lows down in the mid-20s, it's safe to say: it's cold. I admit, I much prefer the warmer NC weather (though they are getting snow today!), but I'm going to learn to run in this. Mostly through sheer willpower :-) I bought some really nice running tights tonight, so I'll test those out tomorrow morning with my first below 45 degree run of the season.

I was on the treadmill Thursday trying for a mid-to-long run; I got about 5 and a half miles before my hip flexors started killing. So I stopped. No sense in continuing at this point if it's physical pain, one that doesn't go away or get more comfortable with more running. I'm looking into a pair of compression shorts to help keep those muscles warmer/more flexible...hopefully that helps!

Chilly run tomorrow! I can't wait.

starting line

I want to run a half marathon.

I have been saying this for months, wavering back and forth and never quite committing to it. There are plenty of excuses - I don't have regular weekends so I can't really plan out a long run, the slow-twitch muscles aren't quite as compatible with the other love of my life, ultimate frisbee, but whatever way you cut it, I still want to do this.

This Thanksgiving, my friend (and partner in crime) Jess and I knocked the socks off of an 8k. Now, an 8k is a long way from a half marathon, but we'll get there. Right now our dream is to train in separate places (CT and FL - she got the better end of the deal) and meet up to run an awesome race with each other.

I'm wary of starting training as I head into a CT winter (lots of darkness and cold), but then again I did just spend the weekend shopping for Christmas presents and only coming away with long sleeved athletic shirts for me. Maybe this is a sign. Either way, I hope that this blog can help me get through this!

13.1, here I come!