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!
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| The start! ... photo courtesy of Tim Matthews of https://runnerpics.shuttlefly.com |
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| On the way out just after Heather passed me ... photo courtesy of Tim Matthews of https://runnerpics.shuttlefly.com |
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| On the way back trying to keep with Prem ... photo courtesy of Tim Matthews of https://runnerpics.shuttlefly.com |
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.
