I agree with you, Puke, "dark and cold" is not very motivating running weather. That's when a treadmill comes in handy.  Planning a 45 mile run around your neighborhood does sound like like it could spur you on though.  You've gotta know that helping your son with his running will end up being so much more - he'll remember your encouragement and support for the rest of his life.

What is the distance of the Utah race, PerfesserR?  If you are training in heat and the race weather is cool, that's good isn't it? Miserable slogging, but good in the end? Honest question. Not really sure.

I ran 4 miles tonight - hamstrings a little crampy, but otherwise ok. We have a Memorial Day 10K here next Monday put on by Park & Rec. I'm not so sure I'll be "race ready," but I can at least use it as my tempo run for the week.

I think I may have found my next challenge.

After feeling sluggish as it was dark and cold down this way, I have gone and put my name down for a 75km "training run" on The Hillary Trail.  The really interesting thing is that it starts at midnight and is next month so the middle of our winter.  So at least two thirds of it I will be running in the dark and it will be cold. Go figure.  Supposedly the scenery is quite stunning, but I won't see most of it

Still got to sort out some logistics i.e. find someone dumb enough to meet me at various points along the track in the middle of the night (luckily a few road access points along the way), and need to start collecting a few bits of kit such as wet weather gear, running backpack etc.

Good luck for your 10k "tempo" run Happy.

I think I may have found my next challenge....

  So at least two thirds of it I will be running in the dark and it will be cold. Go figure.  

 

Good luck for your 10k "tempo" run Happy.

Thanks Puke, I'm still trying to figure out the appeal of your next challenge....to test your fortitude?

Jeff - hope all goes smoothly for your wife tomorrow. Also hope you can get a good night's sleep tonight.  We are keeping you in our thoughts.

So Russ I was listening to a podcast on breathing for runners yesterday. It said that running in heat, your blood goes to your body surface to cool you and away from your muscles. This causes "aerobic metabolism" (whatever that is) which causes production of lactic acid which causes the breathing to become shallower and faster.    That makes me think there's no advantage to training in the heat for a cooler race.  If the muscles aren't getting enough oxygen, how the heck can you "train" them? ....hmmm...I dunno....it's just what I heard...likely oversimplified

....I'm on a search for how to overcome my huffing and puffing syndrome when "racing." 

I've come to the conclusion that #1 I need to more fully warm up before increasing my pace and

#2 I simply need to build more stamina at the increased pace.

Heffa: {{{{{{HUGS}}}}}

Puke: good luck and have fun. I think?

Me: I'mon a running streak... day 8 today. All very short runs, but at least its happening.

Thanks for all the well wishes, I really appreciate it.  DW is checked in and started with her 3 days of high dose whole body irradiation.  Those are some pretty scary numbers to me.  I work in the nuclear industry and getting just one of her 6 treatments would exceed my life time allowable dose.  She's not the first to do it so I guess they know what they are doing.

Took advantage of my time in Richmond to explore their urban trail system.  That is some cool stuff!  Did a 7 mile loop around the James River canal and Belle Island.  The terrain varied from sidewalks, to steps, to ramps, to bridges, to trails, it was very fun.

Belle Isle foot bridge

Getting back on track this lovely morning - going for an easy 3.5. Wedding trip + work + house hunting + a minor groin pull from the gym = no running in two weeks.

I'm going to put my racing on hold until I get back on schedule and feel like the whirlwind has calmed down.

Jeff - I'm thinking of you and you family. Have a great Sunday! A

MTA -spacing and less miles