Week Three - Fall Back? Spring Forward? Fall Flat...

<p>I ran outside today! AND in Shorts!!! With the change in time, it staying lighter a lot longer. In fact, it's 715pm and the sun is just hitting the horizon over the lake. The temperature is about 38 degrees with sunshine. I got home from work and I just couldn't get myself in the car to go hit that dreaded treadmill. So, I'm thinking, "why not just run here - outside." Poor Ronan (My Irish Setter) has been couped up all winter, so I charged my Garmin 305 watch; put on my shorts; a couple shirts as well as my hoodie - and hit the bricks!</p>
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<p>Although there is still snow on the trails, the roads were clear as well as the shoulders, so I harnessed up Ronan and out we went. I could tell a difference running outside verses the treadmill. It was harder, because the route around my neighborhood is very hilly - my pace was a natural 10:30 pace - a full minute faster than I'd been running on the treadmill. Ronan did a great job running - he didn't pull and really enjoyed the run. That, along with the fact that I had changing scenery and a terrain that was not only changing but challenging made my run go much faster than the same distance on the treadmill. </p>
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<p>It felt great to be outside; to be feeling the air and the sounds around me. I knocked out 2 miles of hills in 21:33 - that averages just under 11 min miles - and with the hills, my legs got a great workout. I'm happy with the run and the outcome. Could it be that I've seen the last of my dreaded treadmill runs?</p>
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<p>It was 50 degrees at 5pm in Minnesota with sunshine. The snow is beginning to melt; the lake has water on top of the ice now and it won't be long before Spring is in full bloom. Oh yeah, and registration for Dam 2 Dam opened as well!</p>
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<p>I registered yesterday for Dam 2 Dam. It was actually kind of exciting and daunting. When I had to put my estimated time in, I realized then how much work I had to do between now and June 4th. But - this run isn't about time it's about reaching my goal. And when I cross the line at Nolan Plaza, I will once again be a runner!</p>
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<p>Being a running came back to realization yesterday as well. In the form of sour leg muscles! I ran my hilly neighborhood yesterday - and could my legs tell it. My thighs are sore; my calves are sour; heck, at one point I was thinking my toes were sore! It's a good sore though. It means I was working. I did 2.4 miles but with the hills, it was a hard fought 2.4 miles. </p>
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<p>Today is my off day. I deserve it. Between the spring weather, the new found soreness and registering for a 20km, I think I can take a day and enjoy.</p>
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<p>Enjoy!</p>

<p>Considering how this week started with a sucky treadmill run on Sunday, it is wrapping up much better. Even though we don't have 50 degree temps in Minneapolis today - more like 35 degrees, I still decided to run outside. The sun was shining so it didn't feel as cold as it was.</p>
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<p>I decided to go a different route today and extend my distance. I still had plenty of hills as there really isn't any flat running area around here. I decided to do an out and back totaling 4 miles. Ronan went with me and at times, I depended a bit on him to make it up the hills. Around 1.3 miles, there is a 1/2 mile hill that climbs almost 200 feet. The only saving grace of that is that I get to come back down it!</p>
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<p>My pace was a consistent 11:11 per mile split the entire 4 miles. Though I seem to still start out much faster and then settle into the pace. I'd say, based on my last two weeks - that this is my 'steady' pace. I hope to get that down to 10 minute miles by the time Dam 2 Dam gets here. That is much slower than my best time at Dam 2 Dam, but I have to start somewhere.</p>
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<p>My joints felt more of the road today than in times past. I think it's the extra 15 to 20 pounds I'm carrying. I hope to have all of that off by Dam 2 Dam as well. </p>
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<p>It's Friday and it's a good way to end the week - running outside in early spring temps - the sun shining and that 'runners high' teasing me as to what is to come...</p>
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<p>Yeah, the week started flat, but just like Spring - It's FORWARD ON!</p>

<p>Tell me that running in hills will pay off big time. I can tell you that this week has been a good week of commitment - I've got four days of runs totally 14 miles. All of the runs, in short, kicked my ass!  Today - it was 5 1/2 miles.</p>
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<p>The temps were mild - around 40 degrees with overcast skies. The melt off continues - which is good because the paved trails are starting to become accessible. Ronan and I headed north out of the neighborhood and started towards Loretto, Minnesota. I could feel the impact of the hills on my legs - but I kept it up. I wish I could say I enjoyed the run, but I did enjoy finishing and at times - I had to really focus and not think about how far I've gone or how far I still have to go.</p>
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<p>I continued through Loretto and made it to Hwy 55 and turned around. The route was a rolling hills route, so I had to now battle the hills back home - plus a southern wind. The wind cooled me down, but it also added to the effort of completing the run.</p>
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<p>1 hour and 3 minutes later - I made it home: 5.5 miles with a pretty slow pace. I felt good otherwise. Breathing wasn't labored and in a few minutes I was breathing at a normal rate. </p>
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<p>As I consider the week past and the weeks to come, I know I'll be ready to do the distance of Dam to Dam and I know the hills here will definitely pay off - but now - the runs just seem to kick my ass.</p>
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