Thanks to all of the snow (did I mention it snowed here? Yeah, it did. Just a few inches. Like 30 or something.), I’ve done most of my miles since the beginning of February on my treadmill or on the less busy streets of my neighborhood. Today, I was desperate for some new scenery! I had to take Jones over to a friend’s house, so on the way there and back, I scoped out the roads. I figured out an approximately 4 mile long route from my house so that I could accomplish my 8 mile run as an out and back.
All in all, the run went well. I had to run in the road a few times, but the lanes were pretty wide and there was a bike lane for much of it, so I only felt I was risking my life for a few moments here and there. I only had to climb over a small number of snow mountains and was lucky that, despite the nearly 50 degree weather, only one had melted to the point where I broke through the snow down to my knee.
Good things about the run:
- It was OUTSIDE and the weather was beautiful
- I maintained a good pace (9:47 overall), despite stoplights, major hills, snow piles, and idiot drivers
- I did a great job on negative splits (10:00/mile for the first four; 9:34 for the second four miles)
- The new Nike dri-fit half-zip that I was given recently rocked the run. Totally comfortable and just the right weight for the weather. It was so soft that I expect I will be able to wear it without another running shirt under it when it’s just a bit warmer out. *
Bad things about the run:
- I got a huge amount of sand/salt in my shoes when running. This does not bode well for my 16 mile run on Wednesday
- There is still a lot of snow on any surface that was not shoveled, which made things tricky in a few spots
- The most annoying thing about the whole run? The huge house I ran by that had 4! cars in the huge (completely shoveled) driveway where the entire sidewalk in front had never been shoveled! If you can afford that many cars (or have enough driving age children that you need that many), you have no excuse for not shoveling. Even more annoying was that he was outside washing the sand and salt off his cars. I wanted to strangle him with his own hose!
- That Nike half-zip – it WAS white when I started out…
The most amusing thing I saw on my run was a guy hanging out his bedroom window swinging what looked like a yo yo (but I’m assuming was some sort of weight on a string) attempting to break up a huge ice chunk hanging from his house. I’m sure he wasn’t amused, but it did give me a giggle as I ran by.
I have my first really long run this week – 16 miles! If I complete all of my scheduled miles for the week, I’ll break 35 miles for the week for the first time EVER! Gulp!
*The Nike half-zip was NOT given to me by Nike and was not given to me for the purposes of writing a review.
We have MORE snow on the way. I thought winter was coming to an end … guess not 🙁
Nice work. I left my neighborhoood to do my long run today too. Didn't even try to run the sidewalks because I picked an area with wide roads and no traffic. The luxury of the outer 'burbs. Ok – I was about 1000 yds outside the Beltway, but it's further out than Arlington. Weather was amazing though! Saw lots more runners than I have the last few times I was out.
I finally made it outside too…doesn't it feel great!! It was so nice to be in the fresh air and feel the sun shining…hoping spring comes early!
Great Job! It was really a beautiful day out there today!
I just bought a hot pink Nike Dry Fit half zip. Glad to hear it rocked. And no one gave it to me. I want to figure out how that works!
Five bonus points for completing the run. You can use them on beer.
Hip hip hooray for sunny warm days! Good luck with that 16 miles!
Nice work!!! Spring is almost here! I am having the same issues with the shoveling. It is frustrating.
Did the guy smash his window trying to do this trick? I would have cracked up.Being outside again is such a treat, isn't it. Wow, c'mon sunshine!
I keep looking for a route where I can get more miles in. I canot possibly do more than 7 in my neighborhood. I get bored. Hopefully this rain will make the snow disappear. Then we will be complaining about the mud! LOL!
Yay for getting outside! Great run. I love that the most annoying thing was the house with 4 cars. Too funny!
Glad you were able to get some miles in outside, despite the more and more snow! I hope things go well with your 16-miler and 35 mile week!
You are so inspiring!!!! Man oh Man!!! Another question for you – I read that while training for a half(which I am doing right now, my first) interval speed work should be 2 miles fast, 1 slow, 3 fast, 1 slow. Does that work for you? I've been doing more like what I've done for 5 & 10k's, 1 minute fast (20 seconds faster than my 10k pace), slow down,than repeat? I'm really confused on what to do and how to do speed work. Any advice?
that's awesome. I miss outside.
Yeah for outside running!!Good luck breaking that weekly mileage PR.
great job!
ugggghhhh. I was away all week and it was SUNNY and there was NO SNOW!Melt baby melt!
You're gonna rock those 35 miles!! So impressive…Sounds like mostly a really nice run. I find it very strange saying this, but over here in Québec, Canada, we have hardly had any snow since Christmas. Yikes, every time I say this I'm afraid of jinxing things… 🙂
Nice job on the run – good luck with the 16 miler!