After spending the week on my treadmill for some TV watching sessions, I was talking myself into running my 10 mile run outside on Friday. It was going to be a chilly one, so I debated it all week. Run outside or just hit the treadmill? As luck would have it, I ended up going out with my friends on Thursday night… which also involved me making an extravagant choice of a “jumbo sangria” instead of my typical beer. Let me tell you, I was NOT in any shape to run Friday morning. Nope. Not happening. So, Friday involved Christmas shopping instead and was quite productive! Oh, and a work Christmas party Friday night too, so it was a pretty busy 24 hrs of merriment!
Saturday morning was I just going to run on the treadmill because I had shows to watch (Hairspray Live! Did anyone see it??), but when my weather app said the “feels like” temperature was 28 degrees, I was super psyched to run outside! My typical bike trail was actually plowed better than my neighborhood streets. Score!
Funny item – when I got home my Nathan blinky strobe light was turned off. I could have *sworn* I turned it on when I started my run. Picture proof – it was working! I guess it times out after 1 hr of use? Not a sponsored product – I just love that thing and feel really safe wearing it! PS, it was my gift to Alan… I stole it from him 🙂
I had a good easy run in the light snow. Spent some time taking pictures… because that’s what you do when you blog! 🙂 Well, when you want to waste some time on a run and try to get that elusive super running picture. I still haven’t found it.
When I was about 8 miles into my 10 mile run I realized my watch had died! OH Nooooooooo! Luckily I started up a run on my Strava app and I captured most of my remaining miles. Can’t just let these miles go unrecorded!
Sunday morning I had a run scheduled with one of the GCM Ambassadors, Sarah. I have never run with Sarah but she posts pictures all the time of her running outside, so I figured that would help get me outdoors again, despite the cold temps. I tend to turn into a winter hermit so I need all of the help I can get!
We ran at the metropark she calls home and went into the woods. Both outfitted with trail shoes (Newton Boco ATs for the win!) and Yaktrax, we hit 3 miles of snowy trails, and then finished another 3.5 miles on the bike trail. I should have stopped to take some pictures in the woods because it’s simply beautiful. Next time I will!
After my morning run, the family spent an hour sledding. Love to sled!!
That brings my 2016 mileage to 1,764.8 miles. 48.5 miles to go!!!
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Q: Do you own Yaktrax? (for you Florida and Georgia friends, have you heard of them?)
Q: Do you have a go-to app for tracking runs?
Strava is good, and I also have RunKeeper on my phone.
Q: Do you have a favorite brand/model of trail shoes?
A couple of years ago, most of our club members switched to homemade screw shoes. We use #8 hex head sheet metal screws in a pair of old shoes. Cheap and effective.
That’s a great alternative! I haven’t tried that myself, but the topic always comes up in our running group this time of the year too. Glad to hear you support this DIY fix!
I keep meaning to make my own screw shoes, definitely need to do it this year.
Using an electric drill with a bit driver the same size as a #8 hex head screw makes the job a breeze. I use the #8 x 1/2″ size. Maybe 10 – 12 per shoe. The drill will zip them into the rubber no problem. Don’t tighten them down too snug or they may poke through the footbed. Not a comfortable feeling.
Omg will you get 48.5 miles before the year is over??? I bet you will… wait that’s only like 4 miles a day! You got this!!
YES, I’m going to make it! And add a few more miles just in case I didn’t add it up right 🙂
I use RunningAhead for my “system of record”, use it to track running along with other exercise (skiing, weights, situps, pushups, etc). Garmin connect has all my GPS runs, but nothing else. And Strava does have all my runs as well, but that is mostly for social interaction with friends.