January, as gloomy as it was, I managed to stay consistent with my runs and for the most part, had a good month of running.
February is often time worse for me and a rough month because winter feels like its dragging on and on and on…you get the picture. For me I start to lose motivation to run outside. The wind, snow, sleet, etc make for difficuilt running conditions…yes often times it’s pretty, but running in it is HARD!
In my last post I shared my top three things that are saving me right now…or at least helping me get through another MN winter.
Running has always been a big part of my life! If at all possible, the majority of my runs are outdoors and I espeically love my long run Fridays at easy pace. I don’t focus on pace, but I just run at a comfortable effort enjoying my me time out in nature. It’s my time with my thoughts and God. Even in February when you start feeling blah and a little tired of winter, getting outside somehow always makes me feel more a live. Even when I am not training, I still enjoy a somewhat longer slow run on Friday mornings……it is all about consistency!
After running easy for about an hour on my long run Friday a couple weeks ago, I was supposed to run 6 reps at 10K pace for 8 minutes with 2 minute rest after each one. Unfortunately I didn’t even come close!
The snow packed roads, wind in my face, and the snow still coming down made for some very challenging miles.
This week my long run called for 6 minutes at 10K pace with a 2 minute recovery x 8 after running easy for 45 minutes. After my last rep, I ran another 35 minutes easy with the last two miles at marathon pace. I knew this was going to be hard and it was!
Since it was snowing AGAIN and we had more fresh snow I decided to start and finish the entire 2 hour and 35 minute run on the treadmill verses attempting this outside again. I had ZERO motivation to go run in the another wintery mix like last Friday!
I did my best to stay positive thinking the time would go by fast on the treadmill due to the varied paces. Trust me, 15 miles on the tread mill is no joke! The squires did go better, but after I uploaded my run, I realized I only completed 6 of the 8 reps. It wasn’t because I didn’t want to do the last two, but because I honestly mis-read the workout. I thought it said 6 squire miles for 6 minutes at 10K pace not 8.
At first I was disappointed, but to be perfectly honest, this workout is HARD and it is unlikely the average runner (that would be me) would finish this workout perfectly. I finished 6 of the reps at my 10K pace successfully but that last rep was a struggle. I got what I needed but it took me a bit to realize this….I too constantly need to be reminded that not every run will be perfect…nor do they need to be!
Squire miles in the middle of a long run are really hard and pairing them with a fast finish…OMG!! Have you ever ran a progression run? Finishing a long run at marathon pace isn’t easy but it is a fun challenge. I am proud of myself for not only hitting my paces, but for also finishing strong! I was able to run the last couple miles at marathon pace too which is a huge improvement from 2 weeks ago.
Winter running is tough here in MN but often time, the beauty is remarkable! I may be feeling the winter blahs, but as I said in my last post, what helps me to stay energized is spending more time outside and cooking and baking in my cozy kitchen.
Cooking/Baking is such an art and a restorative task and the best part, all that nourishing food helps me stay motivated to get outside and run.
If you know you’re coming home to a delicious recovery smoothie and a tasty bowl of Savory Oatmeal for a second breakfast, brunch, or lunch, wouldn’t you be more likely to try your best to get outside too?
And if you’re like me and you’re stuck inside due to a snow storm, wind, rain, sleet, etc, you work just as hard knowing you’re going to be rewarded when you get home. I love my post running routine?.
VERSATILE SAVORY OATS
INGREDIENTS:
- Oats ~ Soaked overnight if possible & Gluten Free if necessary
- Sautéed greens with garlic, poached egg, savory granola, savory nut butter, crispy nuts and or seeds, sweet potatoes, etc
DIRECTIONS:
- Prepare you oats – I like to soak mine over night. Cook on stove with our choice of milk or non dairy beverage or try using bone broth.
- Top with your choice of savory ingredients. Be creative.
Do you like to soak your oats before you make oatmeal?
Have you tried making my crispy nuts?
What is your favorite treadmill workout?
What is the longest you have run on a treadmill?
Do you have a post workout routine?
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