Sunday, 12/23/2018 to Saturday, 12/29/3018

I ran 5 times: 34.25 miles.
I took 75,038 steps according to my Pebble 2 HR smart watch.

Common abbreviations: OMEP is my Orange Mud Endurance Pack, NT360 is my NoxGear 
Tracer360 vest, UWRG is my usual winter running gear: CW-X tights, Darn Tough socks, long sleeve tech, Brooks 1/4 zip long sleeve pullover, balaclava and Brooks beanie.

Sunday, 12/23/2018: 12960 steps during the day, 9.45 miles, 1:18:31, 8:18 pace, 31F, 5 mph SSW wind, overcast.

I woke up at 7:38 AM and was out 2 hours later after the usual puttering around after eating the usual pre-run bowl of cereal and banana. It was the same temp as usual so I wore the usual: CW-X tights, Darn Tough sockes, short sleeve tech, Brooks 1/4 zip long sleeve pullover and Brooks beanie. I set up an easy pace and headed west on my Out to Lowden Point Rd route that I knew so well. Boom ... done. My splits were: 8:19, 8:20, 8:15, 8:15, 8:29, 8:16, 8:19, 8:24, 8:22 and 7:53 over the last 0.45 mile.

A tech note: I changed out Christine old Samsung PM730 250 GB SSD in her laptop with a brand new Samsung 860EVO 250 GB SSD that I bought from NewEgg.com. Her old drive had failed its SpeedFan fitness test and was giving her an error message about imminent hard drive failure at boot up. Easy peasy. I just hooked the new drive up in an USB external drive and ran the Sansumg migration software available at Samsung, link here. It took about 4 hours to clone the drive and then another couple of minutes to do the hard drive transfer. I only lost one teeny tiny screw, lol!

Monday, 12/24/2018: 10218 steps during the day, 5.45 miles, 42:28, 8:05 pace, 36F, 74% RH, 5 mph SSW wind, wind chill 32F, partly cloudy.

Up and on the road on Christmas Eve. It was the same temp so I wore the same as yesterday. I went rogue and chose a different route ... out to the pier so it was a bit shorter. My thighs were a bit tight so I was OK with the run being over a bit sooner. My splits were: 8:10, 8:11, 8:19, 7:53, 7:53 and 7:23 over the last 0.25 mile.

Christine's new Hamilton Beach food processor

Christine exchanged our gifts on Christmas Eve. I got her two items: a auto charger/glass breaker/seat belt cutter with android/lightning cabel (2 pack so I got one) from QVC and a Hamilton Beach food processor from Walmart, link here. She put the food processor to work with 30 minutes of opening the box by making potato pancakes along with shrimp and apple sauce.

Tuesday, 12/25/2018: 9629 steps during the day, 6.25 miles, 52:07, 8:20 pace, 31F, 92% RH, 6 mph WNW wind, wind chill 26F, partly sunny.

I was up early like usual, puttered around like usual and got out like usual. It was just as cold as usual so I dressed like usual. I put on the usual pace and the run happened like usual. My splits were: 8:27, 8:23, 8:23, 8:26, 8:15, 8:13 and 7:53 over the last 0.25 miles. I did enjoy the run ... like usual, lol! There was about an inch of snow on the ground so we had a white Christmas!

Later, Christine and I took my daughter, Karen, out to Denny's in Perinton. I think I got the last turkey dinner! It was good though I will remember to present my AARP card to get 10% off.

Wednesday, 12/26/2018: 991 steps during the day, rest day.

Oh ... I found a great deal on a pair of Brooks Adrenaline GTS18 running shoes at Holabird Sports. The GTS18 is last year's model so MSRP was $120 and they were on sale for 82.82. I noticed that other websites were selling this model for $100. I plugged in a YEAREND15 coupon code to bring it down to $72.40 along with free shipping and no tax. Boom! I think I saved $55 over buying it at Fleet Feet ... though they might have this model on sale for $100 too but still it's a savings that I can use for a race or two. So ... I may not buy local but I race local.

Thursday, 12/27/2018: 7671 steps during the day, rest day.

Friday, 12/28/2018: 23192 steps during the day, 11.05 miles, 1:32:16, 8:32 pace, 54F, 91% RH, 5 mph SW wind, partly cloudy.

I got out of work early by using 2 hours of vacation. The weather was at least 20F warmer than the day before so I had to get out for a run ... but not before I gave Christine more than a few hugs and kisses though. It was 54F so I wore shorts, a long sleeve tech, no hat and no gloves. It was about 4 PM when I got out so I wore my NT360 vest and my headlamp. I set up a really nice and steady pace. It was a bit amazing to run in shorts just 4 days before New Year's! I turned on my NT360 vest and headlamp around mile 7. I thought my headlamp had a charged battery but ... I was wrong. My NT360 vest was brighter than my headlamp by the time I got back as it got darker and darker after the sun went down. I was coming back up the LOSP trail when I saw a couple of bright headlamps coming toward me. It took me a a second to figure out that the headlamps were on the trail and that it was a bicycle. I was blinded for a couple of seconds after though since those headlamps were a LOT brighter than my headlamp. But ... I got home OK. My splits were: 8:24, 8:20, 8:16, 8:27, 8:31, 8:35, 8:42, 8:39, 8:41 and 8:38.

Saturday, 12/29/2018: 5446 steps during the day, 3.25 miles, 28:20, 8:43 pace, 26F, 83% RH, 4 mph NW wind, wind chill 21F, partly cloudy.

My thighs hurt from my 11 mile run yesterday and I was fully planning on not running today and getting in a short run on Monday. But ... I had a Redbox DVD to take back and then Christine said that she needed tomatoes. So ... I thought why not a run as transportation? Thus ... a run to the 7-11 to take back the Redbox DVD and then over to Herrema's to get tomatoes and grapes happened around 4 PM. I don't think I have ever run to a grocery store before. I have run to and from getting my car fixed. It was a lot colder than it was yesterday so I went back to my Brooks pants, long sleeve tech, Brooks 1/4 zip long sleeve pullover, Brooks beanie and heavy running gloves. I set up a steady and a bit slow pace to get it done. My splits were: 8:32, 8:57, 8:45 and 8:23 over the last 0.25 mile. Just getting it done.

Sunday, 12/16/2018 to Saturday, 12/22/2018

I ran 3 times: 19.45 miles.
I took 67,728 steps according to my Pebble 2 HR smart watch.

Common abbreviations: OMEP is my Orange Mud Endurance Pack, NT360 is my NoxGear 
Tracer360 vest, UWRG is my usual winter running gear: CW-X tights, Darn Tough socks, long sleeve tech, Brooks 1/4 zip long sleeve pullover, balaclava and Brooks beanie.

Sunday, 12/16/2018: 14719 steps during the day, 9.35 miles, 1;15:21, 8:02 pace, 36F, 85% RH, 6 mph E wind, wind chill 32F, overcast

I slept in until 7:30 AM and then puttered around like usual. It was the same temperature it has been for the last couple of days so I dressed in the usual: CW-X tights, Darn Tough socks, a short sleeve tech, my Brooks 1/4 zip long sleeve pullover and Brooks beanie. I am very predictable in my clothing choices in the winter. I bet people know who I am just by what I am wearing (well ... maybe by height too).

Anyone ... I got out by a bit after 9 AM. I set up a nice and steady pace. I thought about running 11 (out to Lowden Point Rd) but decided on 9.35 (out to Long Pond Rd). I pushed the pace a bit but not terribly so. My splits were still pretty fast: 8:02, 8:02, 8:02, 8:02, 8:14, 7:59, 7:53, 8:02, 8:01, 7:53.

Monday, 12/17/2018: 6744 steps during the day, rest day.

Tuesday, 12/18/2018: 8146 steps during the day, rest day.

Another day that life got in the way. Let's see ... I woke up at 4:30 AM and couldn't get back to sleep so I was tired all day. My running gear was at home. Traffic sucked with an accident on I-390N on the way home. The outdoor light wasn't on so I couldn't see the keyhole very well while I had 4 things draped on my me (messenger bag, lunch bag, and 2 gym bags). I dropped something as soon as I came in. Christine asked if I was going to run ... aarrgghh! I was already going to bag my run which pissed me off ... that sent me over the edge. I retreated upstairs and tried not to argue ... maybe not too successfully. I went to bed and got a good 7 hours of sleep.

Wednesday, 12/19/2018: 12994 steps during the day, 5.05 miles, 41:19, 8:11 pace, 40F, light wind, partly cloudy (Garmin picked up the 72529 Cherokee Village AR airport weather instead of KROC which is the Rochester airport)

Well ... back out there. I thought out that I had left my tights hanging up down in the basement while I was changing to go running after work. What to do? Well ... it was 40F so I ran in shorts and my Brooks 1/4 zip pullover. I started out from my usual weekday haunt ... the Greece Arcadia High School. It was a bit chilly ... but I pushed out 5 miles in the dark with my NT360 vest and headlamp. My splits were: 7:52, 8:09, 8:13, 8:14 and 8:26.

Thursday, 12/20/2018: 13394 steps during the day, 5.05 miles, 8:20 pace, 46F, calm, partly cloudy.

Another warmish day so another run in shorts, a long sleeve tech and short sleeve tech. I got out an hour early from work. I forgot to charge my Garmin so it died at mile 3.06. My legs were a bit tired so my pace was a bit slower at 8:26 pace. But ... 5 miles is better than 0 miles.

Today was the 33rd birthday of my oldest son, Michael. I love my son dearly. I got a Facebook reminder that I helped my kids and my ex move to their Ford St apartment ten years ago.

Friday, 12/21/2018: 6800 steps during the day, rest day.

Saturday, 12/22/2018: 4931 steps during the day, grocery day.

Today was my day to take my oldest son, Michael, and my daughter, Karen, grocery shopping. Karen was first. We went to America's Best to pick up her new glasses, the Perinton Wegmans (super crowded) and the Macedon Walmart. Then I took Michael to the Macedon Walmart. I also did some grocery shopping of my own with a list from my lovely wife, Christine.

Sunday, 12/9/2018 to Saturday, 12/15/2018 - Freezeroo #1

I ran 4 times: 22.77 miles.
I took 72915 steps according to my Pebble 2 HR smart watch.

Common abbreviations: OMEP is my Orange Mud Endurance Pack, NT360 is my NoxGear 
Tracer360 vest, UWRG is my usual winter running gear: CW-X tights, Darn Tough socks, long sleeve tech, Brooks 1/4 zip long sleeve pullover, balaclava and Brooks beanie.

Sunday, 12/9/2018: 12720 steps during the day, 9.45 miles, 1:18:38, 8:19 pace, 27F, 74% RH, 9 mph SW wind, wind chill 18F, overcast.

I got up, got dressed and got out there for my usual Sunday long run. The weather was just about the same as yesterday so I wore about the same: CX-X tights, Darn Tough socks, a long sleeve tech, my Brooks 1/4 zip pullover, balaclava, Brooks beanie and ski mittens. I am pretty predictable in the winter. I just go with what works. It was overcast so I didn't bother with sunglasses. I set up a easy and steady pace to start with and just go it done. I was tempted to go for 11 miles but turned around at Long Pond Rd to do a 15K. My splits were: 8:20, 8:24, 8:21, 8:26, 8:19, 8:17, 8:19, 8:22, 8:17 and 7:51 over the last 0.45 mile. Boom ... done. I opened the townhouse door to hear the sweet sounds of the post-run coffee brewing.

I could have gotten stuff done ... but I didn't. I really should ... yes ... I really should. Oh well.

Monday, 12/10/2018: 7414 steps during the day, rest day.

Tuesday, 12/11/2018: 9417 steps during the day, rest day.

The usual "life got in the way" of running excuse. I needed to grocery shop so I got it done. Christine had made not 1 but 2 pumpkin pies.  The first piece was delicious!

Wednesday, 12/12/2018: 18063 steps during the day, 8.65 miles, 1:13:06, 8:27 pace, 28F, 96% RH, 6 mph SW wind, wind chill 22F, overcast



This Wednesday run was a struggle. I didn't have the usual pep before the run. I added a bit of distance by running the majority of the side streets north of Janes Rd plus there was the cold wind. I just felt off and struggled a bit on the way back. But ... I got it done. My splits were: 8:04, 8:37, 8:15, 8:19, 8:20, 8:40, 8:40, 8:36 and 8:34 over the last 0.65 mile.

Thursday, 12/13/2018: 7353 steps during the day, rest day.

Your basic "stuff gets in the way" day. Christine was felt down so I brought some supper home.

Friday, 12/14/2018: 7868 steps during the day, rest day.

Saturday, 12/15/2018: 10080 steps during the day, 2 runs of 1.55 and 3.12 miles, 39F, 93% RH, 6 mph NE wind, wind chill 36F, overcast.

Today's race was Freezeroo #1, the first Freezeroo of six in the GRTC 2018-2019 season. It was my seventh Freezeroo #1, 2 were a 5 mile version at Pineways Park in 2010 and 2011 (36:44 and 34:18) and 5 at Northstar Christian Academy in 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018 (22:52, 21:41, 22:06, 22:11 and today's 22:04). I would love to include links to the GRTC website but it seems that GRTC does not update its website anymore. The story is that the webmaster took off with the passwords several months ago and that GRTC doesn't want to either take back control or doesn't want to take back control. So ... no calendar, no results, nada!

My alarm went off at 6:45 AM ... but I went back to sleep and woke up around 7:30 AM. No worries ... I had plenty of time. I had my usual pre-race of cereal and banana and puttered around a bit like usual. It was 37F so I dressed in the usual: CW-X tights, Darn Tough socks, short sleeve tech and Brooks 1/4 zip long sleeve pullover. I got out a bit early so I was down to NCA by 8:50 AM. I went in to get my bib and GRTC series gift. This year's gift was a GRTC blue and white scarf ... sweet!

Now ... the Fleet Feet Reindeer Run 5K was at 8:30 AM. I had thought about doing the double 5K .... so I thought that Prem Kumar would do it. I saw him and asked him ... he did! He ran a 20:23 (close to his PR) and said he was running easy (sure). I got out for a really nice and easy warm up run with Bill Beyerbach of 1.55 miles at 9:26 pace. Oh ... 1320 runners finished the Reindeer Run 5K, results here.

I was a bit warm after my warm up run so I took my short sleeve tech off from under my Brooks 1/4 zip long sleeve pullover. I lined up next to Andy Ciaio like usual and waited for the start ... and we were off!

The start! ... photo courtesy of Tim Matthews of https://runnerpics.shuttlefly.com

This Freezeroo course was a twisty turny out out and back. So ... twist and turn we did. I hit "One Mile" Pete as he said "7 minutes!"

On the way out just after Heather passed me ... photo courtesy of Tim Matthews of https://runnerpics.shuttlefly.com

On the way back trying to keep with Prem ... photo courtesy of Tim Matthews of https://runnerpics.shuttlefly.com

I was running well ... Heather Patterson with her dual pigtails had passed me, Andy was just ahead, Bill and Prem were behind me. Bill passed me at the turnaround when I took it wide. I kept my pace as fast as I could. Prem passed me around mile 2.25. I asked if he was running easy ... he answered that he was ... lol! I took off after him ... I wanted to keep him in sight. Down the last straight ... around the buildings ... 3 mile sign ... digital clock just over 22 ... sprint ... done in 22:04! Fastest 5K of 2018 by 45 seconds! Nice! Heather finished in 21:00, Andy in 21:22, Prem in 21:50 and Bill was just ahead of me in 21:56.

I fist bumped Andy and Bill before I went inside for some nice post race grub (PB&J sandwiches, trail mix, donuts and chocolate milk) and conversation. Carolyn Kristen told me about her first 0 Degree WTF! trail race last weekend ... she didn't know about the course or the rope to climb the hill before the race, lol! Trail races can be ... interesting!

I went out with Bill after the race to have some post race breakfast and coffee at Mel's Diner at the corner of Maiden Lane and Mount Read. We caught up on what's been up in our world. It was a short turnaround back at our townhouse before I had to leave again. My next task was to take my daughter, Karen, out to America's Best so she could get measured for new glasses.

I caught up with the official results from Hour Glass Works. I finished in 22:04, 38th out of 185, results here. I was 4th out of 20 in my M 60-64 age group, link here.

Sunday, 12/2/2018 to Saturday, 12/8/2015 - 0 Degree WTF!

I ran 3 times: 22.79 miles.
I took 69,720 steps according to my Pebble 2 HR smart watch.

Common abbreviations: OMEP is my Orange Mud Endurance Pack, NT360 is my NoxGear 
Tracer360 vest, UWRG is my usual winter running gear: CW-X tights, Darn Tough socks, long sleeve tech, Brooks 1/4 zip long sleeve pullover, balaclava and Brooks beanie.

Sunday, 12/2/2018: 17308 steps during the day, 11.05 miles, 1:30:38, 8:12 pace, 46F, 93% RH, 13 mph S wind, wind chill 41F, overcast with a few sprinkles in the middle

I was up at 6:55 AM and puttered around like usual with a pre-run bowl of cereal along with catching up on Facebook and emails. It was in the mid 40s so I wore shorts, a short sleeve and long sleeve tech, earwarmers and light Brooks running gloves. I set up a nice pace with the wind to my back on the way out to Lowden Point Rd. But ... not so much on the way back with the wind in my face. I also ran out of energy and struggled a bit. It doesn't look it when you look at my pace though. But ... I got it done. My splits were: 8:12, 8:04, 8:05, 8:02, 8:03, 8:12, 8:11, 8:21, 8:22, 8:27 and 8:15.

A couple mugs of coffee soon ensued along with doing 3 loads of laundry. I watched the Bills - Miami game down in Miami. The Bills had their chances but stupid penalties didn't help. Their rookie QB, Josh Allen, ran for 135 yards (runs of 28, 26 and 25 yards helped) and almost had a game winning TD on his last throw. But ... the Bills lost 21-17, link here. It had warmed up to the mid 50s (high was 58) so I rushed out and vacuumed out the Cruzes before it got dark.

Monday, 12/3/2018: 5139 steps during the day, rest day.

Yeah ... 24 hours after a high of 58F .... it snowed when I drove home. Rochester weather in December ... don't put away your winter coat.

Tuesday, 12/4/2018: 6522 steps during the day, rest day.

My darling wife, Christine, noticed that I didn't have a dentist appointment so she made one for yesterday for today at 4:30 PM at the same time as hers. So ... instant date night! We went out to eat at Sticky Lips in Henrietta. Verdict ... the beef brisket was OK but not warm. We should have said something but we were hungry so we just ate it. I think we will try the Texas Roadhouse out on Ridge Rd next time we are in the mood for BBQ.

Wednesday, 12/5/2018: 6828 steps during the day, rest day.

Yes, another rest day. I let my achy knees talk me out of running. I don't much like running in the dark either ...even with my NT360 and headlamp from eBay. I am keeping the batteries separate from the headlamp though.

Thurday, 12/6/2018: 14832 steps during the day, 6.56 miles, 53:54, 8:13 pace, 34F, 75% RH, 13 mph WSW wind, wind chill 25F, overcast

I needed to run ... when, where and how long? Well ... I got back to B601 at 800 Lee Rd just before 11 AM so ... why not now in the daylight, from B601 and a nice and steady run of 6.46 miles? I hadn't done a before lunch run in quite a while. I set up a nice and steady pace into the wind down Lee Rd. The Erie Canal had just a dusting of snow on it and was runnable. There were some shady spots where it was covered with about 1/2 inch of snow. My splits were: 8:26, 8:16, 8:12, 8:25, 8:15, 8:09 and 7:32 over the last 0.56 mile.

Friday, 12/7/2018: 7550 steps during the day, rest day.

I had a notice on my Harris office that told me that my office would be carpeted on Tuesday night. It's a good excuse to go through all my crap that I have accumulated. I wish I had that motivation (ala time pressure) to do that at home.

Saturday, 12/8/2018: 11541 steps during the day, 5.18 miles, 59:38 (didn't turn off for a minute), 11:31 pace, 28F, 69% RH, 14 mph W wind, wind chill 17F, partly sunny

Today's race was the TrailsROC 0 Degree WTF! held down in Powder Mill Park down in Perinton. This race has a 5 mile loop can be run in 1 loop (11 AM start), 2 loops (10:30 AM start) or 3 loops (10 AM start). I have run the 3 loop version in 2014 - 3:37:00, 2015 - 3:21:21 and 2016 - 3:12:30. The 2 loop race was renamed the Jill Jackett Memorial 10 miler. Jill Jackett was killed by a hit and run driver on a training run near the U of R on 12/1/2017, link here. The 1 loop race was renamed the Lisa Vallone Memorial 5 miler. Lisa died recently, obituary here. I ran it to support Mike, her husband (he hugged me when he saw me).

I got down there around 10:10 AM. I saw Andy Ciaio as I parked the 2014 Cruze. I parked right next to his car as a matter of fact. He was running the 2 loop. I got my bib and walked around a bit. There was about 2 inches of snow on the ground and a bit of ice on the parking lot. I saw people with various traction devices (Yak Trak or Micro Spikes) ... and here I was with just my trusty and old Salomon SpeedCross 3 trail shoes with a bit over 800 miles on them. I was a bit nervous but what could I do? I have run enough to know that all I could do was take it easy and concentrate on my footing. It's not rocket science. It's putting one foot in front of the other while making sure that you absolutely concentrate on where you are putting that foot and looking out for obstacles in the instant before you plant that foot. Trail running is fun but can be dangerous if you are not careful ... but at least you don't have to worry about cars, lol!

I got to the start line a bit after Eric Eagan gave out some instructions ... something about ice and be careful. Prem Kubar came through the start/finish line after completing his first loop a couple of minutes before the start of my one loop race. Mike Vallone talked a bit about how this race was Lisa's first trail race, how much he loved her and how much he misses her. There were some family members that wore personalized T-shirts who were running the race. Death can come for us and those whom we love at any time ... make sure you hug them a little tight when you say goodbye.

And ... we were off! It was a bit of a scrum at first. I almost tripped over a large branch in the first 100 yards but I managed to keep going. The first hill or two was a bit slow to climb with everyone bunched together. Everyone was spread out after a mile. So ... up, down, left, right, look out for any ice or roots or rocks, keep running, walk the hills (if necessary). The girl in the banana suit was a welcome distraction for a few seconds. The steep hill across Woolston Rd at mile 3 was as steep as ever. Then the even steeper but merciful shorter hill with the rope just after crossing back across Woolston Rd mile 4 was also just as steep as ever. I didn't really use the rope too much. I did stop for a few seconds to catch my breath when I got to the top though. But ... I just kept running. I passed Prem on his second loop just before I finished. And ... I gave Eric Eagan a high five ... done! I saw and talked to Amy Lord for a minute before I remembered to turn off my Garmin.

The obligatory post 0 Degree WFT! selfie

I hung out for a minute before I went into the lodge for a bowl of vegan vegetable soup and some cookies. I talked with Chris Barry from Newark and Andy Ciaio for a bit before I changed into my 2018 DCSR hoodie.

The results were posted shortly after I got home. I finished in 58:38, 22nd out of 74, 2nd out of 7 in my M 60-69 age group, results here. The 10 miler had 55 finishers (Andy was 21st in 1:55:25), results here. The 15 miler had 37 finishers (Prem was 23rd in 3:07:33), results here.

The usual 2 mugs of coffee and some serious relaxing ensued. I do love running races!