A Passion for Running

I was 100% alone out there today. In 10 miles of running, I didn’t see even one runner. I’m feeling pretty hardcore right now. Cock-a-doodle-doo. Technically, it was colder today than it was yesterday but there was virtually no wind and that made a big difference:

Yesterday: -19C/-2F but with windchill it was -31C/-24F
Today: -22C/-7F with almost no windchill

Another positive was that much of my route had been cleared of snow so, unlike the past couple of days slogging, today I ran on a thin layer of packed snow.

But what I’m most happy about is how the ol’ bod seems to be adapting to this training program. Here are some specifics:

1. Tomorrow will mark the end of the now not-so-dreaded jump from 60/30 to 90/60 minute runs plus the jump from 90 to 120 minute long runs.
2. I’ve suffered no ill effects since the jump. In fact, I’d say I’m almost feeling better than last week.
3. I’m still shaving off the ol’ love handles.
4. My working heart rate is declining. For example, when I started this program, it was a real struggle to run slow enough to keep my heart rate under 155. After a couple of weeks, I was able to run a bit faster at 155bpm. Then, I noticed I could cruise along quite nicely at about 153bpm. Then it dropped to 151 and today, I ran almost ten miles at a 9:30 minute/mile pace and a 149 average heart rate. Wow.

The cold has not chilled my spirit. I’m still a happy camper.