Winter Running, Runner's World Challenge, What are you thankful for?

Hello again everyone, and thanks for reading my blog.

Winter Running
Winter Running, for me, is a totally new challenge.  My son (14) and I ran a 5k yesterday, and I may have underestimated the unpredictable Minnesota Fall weather.  At 6am it was 48 degrees and completely calm, and at race time it seemed to still be nice enough for shorts and t-shirt running.  As we took off, the wind came up and the temp fell at least 5 degrees during the race alone.  Things went fine, but I was very cold when I finished.  Maybe the weather also played a positive role, in that my son and I both put up a Personal Best in the race.

Forward to today.  I took off for a run around the lake I live on, with the temperature in the mid-twenties, but the wind chill sitting down at 5 degrees F.  Thank goodness for the under armor (not a product placement) running pants I bought a few weeks ago.  With a hat, gloves, three shirts, and my long pants, I think I was set up just about right.  However, I don't know if I would want it any windier, or colder for such a run. 





Runner's World Challenge
Just heard (via facebook) yesterday about this challenge.  And for me, I always need something to keep me going - some kind of a challenge.  http://www.runnersworld.com/cold-weather-running/2012-holiday-running-streak?cm_mmc=Facebook-_-RunnersWorld-_-Content-News-_-RunStreak

Their challenge: to run at least one mile every day from Thanksgiving to New Years Day.  What a cool idea!  And, based on today's run, I may have to squeeze in some Tread Mill time once in a while.  Good luck to all of you who decide to take the challege!!!


What are you thankful for?
I am sure that we all have something to be thankful for, even if it sometimes takes us a few minutes to ponder the question before answering.  For example, I am thankful that it's only one more week until this Movember thing ends and I can shave off this facial hair (although it does come in handy for winter running, and it doesn't slow you down a bit!).  If you haven't heard about this, check out www.movember.com .  It's all for a good cause.

I am also thankful for running.  This great past time has only come back into my life about a year and a half ago.  I am nothing short of stunned at the number of opportunities to race just in our little area of the state.  There's a race about every other weekend from the end of March to Thanksgiving Day.  Pretty amazing season, and a lot of very hard working people to make it all come together.  Add to that the fact that most all of these races are for some good cause, some charity that is worthy of our dollars.  Nice work everyone!

But most of all, I would say that none of those things even come close the how thankful I am for the love and support of family and friends.  Thanksgiving is a day where we all get together and have a great time eating, chatting, napping, watching football, and making darn sure that the next generation knows and appreciates their extended family.

Thanks again for reading my blog!

Stu

Minimalist Running Shoes, Triathlete Carmen

Minimalist Running Shoes
First of all, an update on my "minimalist" running shoe transition.  Be sure to not under estimate this one.  You could be in for a tough time if you don't prepare yourself for the impact of this transition.  Overall, I am very happy that I made the change.  I ran 4.6 miles during a lunch break today (beautiful sunny fall MN day!!!).  No problems, and really made good time for such a long (to me) run.

Some problems I have encountered during the transition include:

• Sore feet and ankles
• Needed a new cadence (used metronome and head phones at 180 beats per minute)
• Both calf muscles pulled in subsequent hill intervals, with accompanying tightness in achilles.
• Tightness in my hips - which I think is related to the transition
• Some soreness in the low back, which has since gone away.

As I said, I think it's been a good move.  I am still interested in continuing with form improvements, and would like any suggestions you can send my way.  Has anyone heard of POSE?

Triathlete Carmen
Met a person at a recent business conference and she turned me on to the novice side of doing Triathlons.  Thanks to Carmen for her enthusiasm and her great writing skills.  She gave me lots to think about regarding training the three sports, how to do "bricks", and how to practice transitions in prep for race day.

As a runner myself, I really like this prespective the Carmen passed on to me in a recent email:

Hi Stu - My Tri work is going pretty well.  I'm not as intense in my training as some people seem to be, but the races in July and August really pushed me to a new level.  I now finish a hill without realizing what I just did!  I was hoping to get in longer bike rides this fall, but found I was more interested in swimming - go figure. I'd have to say, it really is doing all 3 three on a regular basis that has increased my fitness level and enjoyment.  I can get tired of running 4-5 times a week, but not so much if I'm only going out 2 times with a swim and bike or two in between.  Everything seems to stay more fresh.

I may post on this topic again, as Carmen also went on to give me lots of advice on how to keep developing and improving toward my own first Triathlon. 

Thanks again to all of you for reading my blog, and a special thanks to Carmen for being such an inspiration to all of us. 

Stu