Cold-weather running

Between the cold and the ice-slicked sidewalks, conditions have not been conducive to running here in Minneapolis - but I did manage it twice. I'm looking forward to getting back to Venice, where I can wear shoes, shorts, a shirt, and a hat - and that's it!

Sat, Dec. 12 - 16 miles

Ugh, this is the most I've run at one time since the LA Marathon last May - and man, was I feeling it. It didn't help that we ran it at our very slow "aerobic" pace of 11+ minute miles, so we were on the road a loooonnnngggg time. Very hard on the feet and joints, but excellent training for the four hours plus it will take us to run the Marathon.

Luckily, we go to a faster (10 minute per mile) pace starting in January.

Venice Christmas 10K - personal best!

Okay, so I've only run 3 official 10ks in my life - but still, it feels good that I ran my first in 8.29, my second in 8.32, and my third, just last Saturday, in 8.13.

Woohoo! Of course, I ran way too fast the first couple miles and then felt rotten the rest of the race (weak legs, hot and pounding head). This was an attempt to get away from my usual method of being too conservative the first few miles and then zooming the last mile or two, but frankly, I have more fun that way.

I get the feeling that 10ks are not my event - I much prefer half-marathons because you have time to warm up and really enjoy yourself.

Note my weird thumbs - I can't seem to hold them any other way while running. Very silly. Oh, and yes, it was raining.