Hi All -

I planned on a shorter run today. Original plan was 8 miles minimum, then decided to shoot for 11. Just shy of 9.5, I felt too many little pains to ignore. Its been a great week and I didnt want to end it badly. Downside? It was raining and cold and I was 2 miles from my car. - Oh yeah- I drive 1 mile to get to the spot where I run from. Kinda silly, but I live on a steep, winding, rural road. Its got a 25 mile speed limit that nobody sticks to. And remember its steep. Ive done a couple runs up the hill ending back home, but am not bold enough to go down the hill and have it face me for my final mile. I am no NHLA- speaking of whom, congrats on the 7 miles under an hour! Impressive as always.

So, I had to walk 2 miles to get to the car. I'll try to plan better for my runs. Ive walked 1 mile before at night when my lights failed me.

I still need help finding a good DROID based maping system. I can map my runs, but I like my family to be able to find me in real-time. Just in case. It seems the Google Maps might work, but havent gotten confirmation yet.

I have started a new routine. I usually run 3x a week. I was coming on here only when I ran. But you guys give such great support and information, that I signed on last night just to read the posts.

OldCoyote - Thank you for all the great details on fueling. I ran the 9.5 today no problem. Body felt pretty good afterwards. Im a little hypoglycemic, wasnt too hungry but need to get something more into me. Ate 5 eggs 2 hours before running ( I eat a lot of eggs ) and had a glass of juice and a cup of coffee. Had some reflux, but fairly minimal. Had 20 oz of Gatorade before the run and nothing during the run. It worked out well. I wasnt dying of thirst after 9.5 miles - rain on my face probably helped that.

NRDgirl - read  your response last night. Thank you, very helpful. I tried to focus more on nasal breathing today. Woke up to 28 degrees, but it was 37 by the time I got on the road. Very little coughing tonight, and seemed like less during the run. I found myself mouth-breathing when I wasnt paying attention.

jmsab23- I agree with the hydration being mental with shorter runs, at least once youve trained to longer runs. My first 5k race I slowed down for some water. It gave me stomach cramps (and several other people) - from then on, I decided I was going to bring my own. On the TM I always took sips. But on the road, in the fall, Im loving no fluids. I liked everyones suggestion for around 10k or 10m. Depending on the weather, I think I am fine until I hit those levels.

10 miles 1 hr 27 min. Davis, Hebron, & Ecco Mts. Clear up high, fog in the valley.

3+ pages of posts!  Whew - no time to comment on everything, but I love reading them

Tues I could not get my body moving.  Calves were tight -  borderline painful, breathing off, ugh.  I made it a 1/2 mile, felt like injury was imminent, turned around and ran home for a whole mile.  Wednesday was better - 3.25 miles with lots of stretching along the way; Thursday cycling and weightlifting at the Y; Friday a few dozen snooze-button presses.  Work has been exhausting.  Then had an a-ha moment that I've been slacking off on the iron pills the last month or so - probably anemic again so I'm being really good now.   Water aerobics and weightlifting this morning.  Hoping for a nice long run tomorrow.  The hardest part is getting out of bed.  Signing up for a New Year's Run - maybe I need external motivation.

MaryKay - R&R is exactly what you need

OldCoyote - good luck on the job hunt

run happy* friends.

*credit duly given to Brooks

Been a crazy week getting ready for a big art show today (which went really well)! So, I only snuck in a few runs, but both decent, with the last run being a very cold (teens) morning run. It was great to know all the gear etc. I use for the cold works. I'm really looking forward to get back to my "normal" now the art show is behind me.

jmsab23 Thanks and really nice TM work plus that sweet warm weather running

Snerb I hear you on the cold dark winter days, it is a challenge! The cross training will work, for sure. Regarding me and dairy, I had to cut ALL dairy, including whey protien.

Old Coyote You da man! Thanks for sharing your great running wisdom with Jeff. I've allways soaked in your wise words regarding running and appreciated every one of them!

OshCat Thanks. Re: article. Running in short sleeves and capris sounds dreamy!

JEFF CT I would'nt call  10:45 terrible! (IMO). Big congrats on the marathon sign up, hey, that's MY race too! I usually run the 10k on the same day and course and raise money for animal charity. Very cool. We will have to high five.

NHLA Nice! You never cease to amaze me...seriously.

NRDgirl Thanks, girl! Safe journey.

OshCat Best of luck on the Jingle Bell 5K!! You are a good friend to support your neighbor in her exercise efforts.

mkayc I'm glad to hear you are healing and listening to your body.

Debm2011 I hope the iron pills do the trick! Keep those calves stretched out.

LeighDS Welcome! There are several of us runners here that power right through the tough East coast winters, so we'll be here for support.

Me...geared up for winter running.

Jeff - Good job cutting the run short. Cold tightens the muscles and connective tissue, making injuries more likely.

NHLA - step step step step step step...

runpetersen - Welcome!

marykay - Rest is GOOD for 5K times. I promise. Doing an easy 3 on Wednesday and Friday might be helpful. You'll rock that Santa suit!

debm - A day I run only 1 mile is...a day I run!

LeighDS - Welcome to you, too also!

melodylea - congratulations on a successful show.

45 degrees, windy, but sunny up, down, and around North Table Mountain. In exposed spots the west wind gusted to 25, and was sustained over 10. I was a bit chilled, but stuck it out for a strong 2 hours, 10.5 - 11 miles of varied terrain. Quite technical in spots (especially downhill), mostly runnable with some spots it is necessary or at least prudent to walk, some flats, some rolling terrain. Lots of up and down . Tonight the temp gets down to 14, and a high of 24 tomorrow, so I won't be traipsing around in shorts on my run in the morning! And yes, I'm running at sub 20 dgrees tomorrow, and I will relish every moment!

I had a discussion with a fellow runner the other night about my planned 50K. She asked which one, and then said, "Not THAT one. Pick something that's not three flat loops, something with some hills. Do the Dirty 30." Now, the Dirty 30 is a climber/scrambler course. A local legend, with a $100 prize for bloodiest runner, as voted by the runners. Very difficult terrain.  A bit intimidating to me. But I started thinking - if she thought I could do the Dirty 30, then I really should start looking for a more challenging course, so I researched the North Fork 50K in Pine, Colorado, along the South Platte drainage. More scenery, more hills. I want to run htat one and volunteer at the Dirty 30 in 2013.

Run free!

I figured out how to send message 

thanks in advance for any info

6.4 miles 57 min down and up Ecco Mt. misty but not cold.

Mary Kay My foot hurts so motivation is low,

mel lol grear. that should keep you warm.

fran 27 is not slow.

OC we have some nice ultras hear.

leigh I hate wearing all this stuff too.