Thor's Running Journal

Just a few miles this morning because I needed to get the kids up this morning. I could have been out longer, but its sorta cold and just wasn't feeling it. I mean, not much longer, maybe 1 more mile. I'll long run tomorrow and still end up hitting about 40 miles on the week so who cares. I'm also only about 30 miles away from my 2000 mile goal for the year.  This weekend will be 1 month since the marathon. Feels like forever ago. In some ways I'm still processing the race. I don't have the sense of elation the way I did after the PR in Detroit last year or disappointment that came with Bay Shore. It feels a little more matter of fact. Less dramatic than previous races. Sort of a shurg. Don't get me wrong it is still a big deal and a wonderful part of this year's story, but it seems distant.  I'm also starting to think about what is next for the new year. A running streak is great, but it doesn't have the same sense of purpose that comes from trainin...

The moonlight in the winter with the snow makes everything a little brighter. I've probibly mentioned it before, but it left me in wonder again this morning.  I crossed paths with a lady running in the dark with no lights. Im pretty sure we've crossed paths before because it strikes me as a bit of a challege to run without lights, but she likely has her system of doing things the way I have my system of doing things. There's no sense in disrupting the balance. Winter running brings the layers. So if I am going to get out the door in the morning, I need to be very organized about making sure the hat and gloves and mittens and gator neck warmer thing and running belt and head lamp and flashing light and jacket and ear buds and leggings and long sleeves and socks are all ready to go the night before. In the summer there's less of this kind of hassle. More get up and go. But without the layers on my hands it gets dangerous for my fingers. I know what painfully c...

I use the blinking mode on my light vest more often these days. I don't know maybe it is the holiday spirit kicking in. 

They've been working on building some duplexes. While under construction I coud cut through the yard to a particular street. Now there is a fence up and there is no cutting through. Sort of sad at the lost oppurtunity to connect the neighborhoods, but also understand how people like to have enclosed spaces. I'd hazard to guess that the people that move in won't even know what they have beyond the fence. A little walking path between the neighborhoods would have been a kind gesture. The fence creates a mile detour. It's probably a big change for the neighbors in the old neighborhood too. To go from a field in their backyard to a bunch of duplexes. Not bad, but everyone is going to have some adjusting to do, and I suspect there will be people saying, "I remember when.... "

The roads are cleared now. Still patches of ice so got to stay alert, but no traffic to speak of at 2am. And it is easy to spot the reflections of the slippery parts. I wasn't hauling so less. Concerned. I fell hard twice in my many many miles. It scary and hurts but is a balanced risk I guess.

Nothing mixes things up like the first snow of the season. After the intensity of winter training earlier this year, I am versed in running in the snow and cold and navigating the terrible ground conditions. But there is a big difference between running in the snow when training and a day like today when there is no milage or pace goals. It would have been a frustrating day indeed if my aim was to hit 5k or 10k paces. A workout like that would have been abandoned before it began.  It won't be fun in March, but it was a little fun today.  This morning I served as trail blazer. Apart from some deer prints the snow was undisturbed. I changed that. I know by tomorrow there will be a patchwork of shoveled and unshoveled sidewalks, but this morning I could keep a rhythm, not a fast rhythm, but steady.  A few people got up earlier to shovel their driveways. A hand full of snow plows did the same with the roads and parking lots. Otherwise it felt still and quiet. Peaceful and ins...