Monday, December 10, 2012

Cold Motivation

Bundled up and ready for
cold weather running!
I consider myself a pretty dedicated runner. I don't slack very often, but today had me standing at the door reaching for excuses.  The thermometer read 24 degrees this morning. We didn't get snow like my northern friends did, but everywhere had a coat of frost/ice.  I got the girls off to school and then wasted time busied myself on Facebook. Thankfully, I have many motivating friends in my news feed. Somehow I dragged myself upstairs to get dressed. The only excitement being that I get to wear some of my long lost winter attire...

I'm not new to winter running, but it's been a good 10 months since I've run in sub-30 temperatures. I could hear and see the wind whipping our holiday decorations around and knew that would make a run tough. There is only so many times you can adjust a ponytail in procrastination... As I stepped outside, the mailman came. Yeah, another distraction! My Runner's World and Running Times magazines had arrived. All signs kept pointing me out the door. Sigh. I took a deep breathe and set out for some miles...

I'm fairly motivated right now by my 2012 yearly goal of 1500 miles. I have 76 miles yet to run... and only 21 days to finish. I need 3.6 miles every day for the rest of December. Not out of my reach, but it's a goal in need of my attention.
1424 in the bank, 76 to go!

As I trotted down the road, the wind burnt my cheeks and thighs. I warmed up eventually and by the second mile, I was back to my normal delirious state of "Running is the best thing ever!"  My thoughts drifted to my next race... Little Rock Marathon on March 3. It seems so far away and yet less than 3 months to train for my fourth marathon. Little Rock means a lot of miles in the snow and cold... literally. My 20 milers will fall in late-Jan/early-Feb, the coldest temps and typically the most snow here.  My only conclusion today was that Santa better bring me warmer running tights...

As usual, once I got into my run, I went further than anticipated. I ended just shy of 5 miles this morning. I finished with some yoga stretches and my #plankaday. I have been planking for ten straight days now... and delighted with how much stronger I've already gotten. I started December 1, barely squeaking out a 1:37 plank. (I do them fully extended in push-up position.) Today, I hit 2:45!

Pick One... You can do it!
My buddy Erich sent me a '12' challenge today... Did you know this Wednesday's date is 12-12-12?  A cool date like that deserves a run celebration!!  Pick your distance and go TWELVE. Comment below if you're IN for the Pick Twelve Challenge. If your schedule is flexible, start your run at 12:12 pm!

27 comments:

  1. Great job! The weather is soooo sporadic. I'm looking for snow! :o)

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  2. I think I'm gonna go for the 12K! :) I am training for a Quarter Marathon so this will help me really take a look at my estimated finish time and how far it will take me to finish the 12K! :) Thanks!

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  3. Oh man, I would KILL to run in the temperatures you had today. I've been running in -24 (that's -11 in Farenheit) plus windchill for weeks. I would kill for the warmth you've been blessed with. Don't complain.

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    1. I'm not complaining Mr. Anonymous. Some days are harder than others to get out there and get started - no matter where you live... The point is - It is always worth it and never regretted.

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  4. Think I'll challenge my husband to 12K on the Bike. Still some good weather here in Arizona.

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  5. Way to get out there! I am actually enjoying the cooler running temps. After that crazy summer we had I don't really mind budling up a bit. The fact that I just bought some cute (and warm!) winter running clothes doesn't hurt either. I just hope the sidewalks are cleared off good enough for a run tonight.

    I'm in for either the 12k run or 12 mile run. (We will see how much time I have Wednesday evening - I'm guessing it will probably end up being the 12k since I don't start running until after 6pm!)

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    1. oops...bundling up! (not sure what budling up is...)

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  6. Just for the challenge of it, I'll be attempting biking 12 miles on 12-12-12.

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  7. I am in Jess, probably just the 12K because of time constraints, but maybe I will squeak in 12 miles.

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  8. I am in to run 12K!!!!

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  9. I am in for the 12K. Scheduled run is for 7 miles so that works perfectly!

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  10. Oh Jess, I give you so much credit for running outside in this weather. I am NOT ready but need to. :-)

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  11. I'm not going to commit just yet because the longest I've ever run is 6.5 back in April, but I ran my 1st 10k this past Saturday so MAYBE I might could crank out a 12k! :)

    We will see. Even if I don't make it, it's a cool challenge. Ha. Get it? Cool. In more than one way. :)

    Shannon
    http://www.irunreadteach.wordpress.com

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  12. Cool challenge Jess! Ill do my best! Training is such an OCD part of me with my schedule!

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  13. Im going to get some cross training in and do the bike ride. I'll start with the 12k and if Im feeling good I'll try to bike the 12 miles!!!!

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  14. I'll run or bike a 12k, depending on my back!

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  15. Wow, 1500 miles. I started back in April, a mile and a half at a time and have logged somewhere about 250. I'll be happy if I can do half of your goal somewhere down the line. Good luck. Hope you make it.

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  16. I am totally joining in your challenge tomorrow. Now to either run or bike. I'll decide tomorrow! thanks for the 12/12/12 challenge!

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  17. Jess!
    Actually this idea is from a friend of mine, Kevin, a cool running farmer from Stanford, IL. We're starting at the Funks Grove Chapel @ 12:12PM. It's supposed to be very pretty ground around there.

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  18. great work! I may not make it tomorrow, but I will get it done this week for sure!

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  19. Oh man I am not sure if I would run in sub-30 degree weather. That is cold! Good job girl!

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  20. Brrrr those are some low temperatures!! Great job on getting out there!! I did the Little Rock Half Marathon this year and loved it. Be prepared for some hills though. But the marathon medal is it all worth it!! It's HUGE!!! Also, we stayed at the Peabody and loved it! They offer free shuttle to the airport and is right at the start/finish, so no car needed. Good luck! :)

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