A tale of two runs

Last Monday the temperatures were above freezing for the first time in a two or three weeks.

The training plan called for three miles, but I couldn't bear to stop. So I went for nine miles!

It had rained all day Sunday then froze that night so everything had a light glaze on it. 

The ice at Walton Lake was singing. I've never heard that sound before. 

Then today we had our first good snowfall. And again I couldn't resist going for a long run, even though my plan called for a rest day. I got in six miles.

Two crazy different days, both equally beautiful.

Happy New Year!

I got in my first two miles of 2018 this morning. The temperature was minus 3 and the real feel was minus 18! Man that's cold!

But it doesn't really feel that bad when you're dressed properly. I've really been digging the wool stuff lately. And I recently bought some Smartwool tights. They keep my legs nice and toasty even in these frigid temperatures.

I have been having a little trouble keeping my toes comfortable though. I've been trying the plastic bag in the shoes trick I'm not sure it's doing much good.

So let's review my 2017 resolutions. One was to finish a half marathon. And I finished my first at the Garmin Marathon in April and my second at the Kansas City Marathon in October.

I had a really great time training for and running both of those races. And I can't wait to do more!

My second goal of the year was to get down to 12 percent body fat. During the year I kinda just forgot about that goal because I was so focused on the running, and I stayed right around 18 percent the whole year.

Just after Thanksgiving I decided to make a hard push for that 12%. Today was my last weigh in of that plan, and I am down to 15.9 percent.

It does make me happy to see those numbers, but that 8-week plan was rough. And I simply had higher hopes for it.

So what are my goals for 2018? Well here they are ...

First is to finish a full marathon. I've got my sights set on Kansas City next October.

Second is to stay fit and keep running. I love this sport, and I can't imagine what it would be like to have to stop.

Third is still that elusive 12 percent body fat. I'm going to go back to my regular training and eating plans, but I'm still going to be shooting for that.

Hope you all are well, have a great New Year!

Baby it's cold outside!

This morning's run was pretty cold. Weather.com said it was 18 degrees F with a 12 mph wind, which put the wind chill in the single digits!

But it was so pretty, I stayed out for an hour and got six miles in.

Look at that sky! The wind was a little challenging but when you prepare properly it's no big deal.

I've got to say, I'm a huge fan of wool. I can't wait for my wool tights to be delivered. That material really does make a difference.

I saw a guy I didn't recognize running on Sunday, and I saw another new guy out running this morning.

Today's guy looked like a new runner, and it made me glad to see him out when the weather was so horrible.

If you look closely, you can see Jack Frost gave me some eyelash extensions! LOL!

Tomorrow's forecast is not looking good either. The temperature is supposed to be 8 degrees, with a wind chill below zero! And it's not supposed to get much warmer the rest of the week.

Don't get me wrong though, this isn't a complaint. I love winter! And it's been so long since it seems we've had a real one around here. Now if only Pennsylvania would share some of that snow they got I'd be happy!

I'll end with a photo of a building which caught my eye on my run this morning.

Winter is here

Last week was a little rough.

Not sure if I came down with a little cold, or if I hurt something; but something was just a little off. So I took it easy.

The weather took a serious turn for the colder but I still had some good runs. We finally got some snow!

Saturday was my birthday, I took a short run then my Beloved and I drove down to Joplin.

On the way down I thought about how I'd always wanted to visit a casino to see what all the fuss was about. There's one just outside Joplin and we headed there first.

I took in $20 and the casino gave me around $12 for my birthday. Mostly I played the penny slots, and I walked out with about $80. It as kinda fun, next time though I'm going to have to try the Texas Hold 'Em.

I found an outstanding book recently. It's titled "Run Gently Out There." It's by an ultrarunner. I'm nothing close to an ultrarunner, but his writing is incredible.

I love reading about running, but I have to admit most running books are kinda dry. Paces and VO2max and lactic threshhold.

His writing on the other hand is mostly about the places and people he encounters on the run. And it's very well done.

Also I have officially discovered wool. I bought a SmartWool PhD running zip top. And it is incredible! I love it.

I've never really felt cold on the run, despite running near zero occasionally. But there is a different feel to wool than the technical clothes I've had up till now.

I like it so much I went right out and bought two pairs of their tights too. I'll let you know what I think when they get delivered.

Exciting news

I was so stoked to get an email from the good folks at Honey Stinger welcoming me to the Hive Ambassador program for 2018!

I've been using Honey Stinger to fuel my running this past year and I really like it. So I'm excited to be able to promote their products in a slightly more official manner. 😀

Talking about Matt Fitzgerald's racing weight quick start

I talk about Matt Fitgerald's book Racing Weight Quick Start. 

Quick start week 6

So I'm going into week 6 of my quick start weight loss.

Here was my weigh in this morning.

I've lost almost two percent body fat. And that makes me happy, but I had kinda figured on being further down than that at this point.

Granted this has not been easy. Trying to do this over the holidays has been even worse.

There is food everywhere!

But I am making progress. And I am thankful for that.

I've got two more weeks before I'm supposed to start the training cycle for my next race, but maybe I'll put off the spring race and focus on getting lean.