running in the snow | TooTallFritz

We knew going into the weekend that there was a possibility of snow and I think we were all ramping up mentally to get our miles in regardless of the weather. For me, I ended up with another split run with 9 miles inside on the treadmill and 9 miles outside in the snow. Due to the family’s current schedule, this will probably be how the majority of my long runs will occur as I train for the Lansing Marathon. It’s different but not necessarily bad. My main complaint not that I have any REAL reason to complain is that it takes so much more time. Normally while marathon training, I would be on the trail by 4:30 or 5 am and even a 20 miler would be over before Mick and Aby most people even have breakfast. Now it seems like it sucks up the majority of the day b/c I’m not just knocking the miles out but also doing other things during and between the indoor/outdoor sessions. Its okay, just different.

Treadmill “Run”Way Fashion – Tough Chik Toughie Half Zip which is super light and my new favorite shirt for bumming around the house. It didn’t even make it on the treadmill cuz I didn’t want to get it “dirty”. I actually ran in the Blood, Sweat, Sparkle shirt I picked up on sale from Team Sparkle. I didn’t love this tank. It was a “little” short on me and it didn’t fully cover my bra, plus was just too narrow up top for me. I think it’s going to Aby’s closet. Then the BIG thing, I tried the Redemption Shorts from Skirt Sports. I have been wanting at least one pair of shorts, particularly now that I’m running on the treadmill more. I don’t always feel like wearing compression shorts and I don’t necessarily want to overdress wear a skirt in my dining room “gym” so when I saw that Skirt Sports dropped a line of shorts, I jumped on board to try them out.

First, that’s obviously not my bum (below). I wasn’t that cute and shapely before children and well, things haven’t “improved” since. But I did like how the shorts fit on me (size medium – I wear an 8-10 in pants) and I was even satisfied with how they looked. When I initially got them, I ran around the dining room & kitchen (yes, we make laps thru the house on a frequent basis) and I was like “NO way”. I didn’t think they would work out. They rode up between my thighs. They were shorts, they “felt” like shorts and well, I don’t like shorts. However, I gave them a run on the treadmill. A decent run, 9 miles. And I didn’t hate them.

Once I warmed up, they stayed in place pretty well. I did still have to use the Mission Athletecare Anti-Chafe but overall, they were okay. I really liked how the spankies didn’t move. I didn’t have to adjust them. I just felt good with the way they “sat”. I did have to adjust the legs of the shorts a few times due the chub rub issue but overall, it was minimal and I didn’t have any real chafing. A little redness on the chub but not the normal “burn” that I remember from shorts. So I now own 2 pair of shorts, the multicolored ones I wore above, and the blue pair that the Skirts Sports model is so fabulously showing off. Not sure you’ll see me wearing them on the trail but maybe once I get used to them a bit. If you are a skirt wearer and hesitant to give them a try, my advice would be to try them. One pair. They aren’t cheap at $50 but I do think they are a good quality and the material is light and airy and won’t result in your having a wad of material squished up above the chub. I’m not sure you will love them but I also don’t think you will hate them. I personally won’t convert FROM the skirt but I like my options and these are super cute, which adds bonus points in my world.

The 9 miles on the treadmill in my Redemption Shorts were accompanied by the documentary, “My Run”. I ran for an hour and twenty five minutes at 6.4 mph (9:22) pace. It was a long time on the treadmill but the movie was a difference maker. If you have to run on the dreadmill and have the option of plugging into a Netflix ready device, it will change the game for you. I promise. The dreadmill and I are not friends. We are however, slowly learning to tolerate one another.

I was very anxious to take the last 9 miles outside, even though by the time I got out there it was blowing and snowing pretty good. The actual temp was 18 and the “feels like” temp was 5. It was cold. I struggled thru the snow. I struggled with the cold. My feet hurt. I was slower than slow. I contemplated going back home to the dreadmill. But I really loved the views.

Then Sunday was for fun. I got to go run with friends, as a light snow was falling. It totally made my day. 4.5 miles of running bliss.

Me, Susan & Nicole on the trail!

How were your weekend miles? Did you get out to play in the snow or stay in on the treadmill?

** Happy Running ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

Week 13 of Lansing Marathon training closed out with a 15 miler. Actually, if we are going to be honest, it should have been 17 miles but I knew I was by no means ready for that so I improvised! As with all things in life, sometimes its more important to ~~cover your ass~~ improvise than it is to actually follow directions. The last three weeks have been slow due to Ragnar recovery, the flu and my bum foot. 15 miles was plenty.

As it is, my weekends tend to bear the brunt of any training and life schedule so by the time the weekend hits, I’m trying to make up for whatever I couldn’t fit into the normal work week. This week was no different, Friday night I hit the treadmill for a short speedier run, then did some core/strengthening work that the doc ordered. I was also trying to break in a new pair of Brooks Ravenna 3s that showed up on my door step last week.

Then Saturday was long run day; however, hubby had to work in the morning so the run was broken up into 3 segments. 5 miles on the treadmill ~~while screaming at the kiddos~~ at the designated training pace (9:15ish). Then hubby arrived home, I dried off and changed clothes to immediately head outside. I had 5 miles on deck with a buddy, we were close to my training pace of 9:15 but I was starting to die out cuz I apparently wasn’t fueled properly so lagged the last mile. I returned to my car to refuel only to realize I didn’t have any of my normal fuel, the AdvoCare Rehydrate Gel. I dug into my bag of tricks to find an alternate fueling option, then took off on my own for the last 5. By this time, I pretty much felt like crap. The 5 on the treadmill felt okay but I could tell I was dragging a little cuz it certainly wasn’t as easy as last week, the middle 5 felt tough on the snow covered path. Not a lot of snow but enough to screw up my already damaged foot strike.

And well, let’s just not talk about the last 5 or the fact that the alternate fueling option caused digestive distress which resulted in my having to abandon the trail in search for a bathroom. By the time I returned to my car, everything hurt including my pride. However, nothing could take away the fact that I still covered 15 miles, in the dead of winter, when I would have rather been huddled on the couch ~~drinking beer~~ cuddling my babies.

So it may not have been a marathon training win but it was still in the done column.

“Run”Way Fashion for a snowy day with temps in the low 20s: Athleta Reflective Relay Tights (in Tall), Under Armour Mock compression base layer, Brooks Infiniti Hybrid Windshirt (on sale for $62), regular socks with Brooks Ravenna 3s, lightweight Manzella Sprint Gloves & Athleta Base Miles headband.

As the temps decrease and the wind picks up, then I add more layers (pants over tights and tech shirts over base layer, possibly tall compression socks, hat in addition to headband) but this type of gear will get your thru most cold winter runs. Winter isn’t the time to skimp on good gear. You don’t need a lot, just a few key pieces, then wash them by hand & hang to dry for tomorrow!

Happy running, regardless of the mileage, don’t be afraid to get out and hit the trail even when the conditions aren’t perfect. Just take it easy so you don’t slip and if its icy instead of snowy, hit the streets or stay inside. Don’t mess with the ice or you’ll regret it ~~for months~~.

** Amanda – TooTallFritz **