My run yesterday was an unexpected delight - the weather forecasts were calling for cold weather and I was ready to retreat to the treadmill at the gym. As the day wore on, my blogging and other writing ate up a lot more of my time than expected. The weather began to moderate with the sun coming out and temps rising to around 40. After doing some errands, I got a call form my wife informing me that her flight would be in way before I had planned so to get a run in I'd have go outside to make her flight on time.

I dressed accordingly with a windbreaker and cap and gloves, all of which could be removed if I got too warm. As I ran, I felt strong or more likely, the angst from the week gave me added energy to "bring it." I had my iPod but the "wild" thoughts and ideas were running free with me. Inspired and confidant I logged a 3+ mile run around the neighborhood and felt good throughout it. This is running as it should be.

President's Day 2009
It's really amazing -- for the longest time my blog rants have had much to do about injury, pains, discomfort, etc. on my left side. I saw a chiropractor and an orthopedist, had x-rays and adjustments and the soreness, etc. would just move around. The doctor's observation, that I had labrum tears in my pelvis, seem to make sense but there was little he could to "fix" it without major surgery. So, I cut back a bit and tried to work through it. After a while the pains seem to diminish and, believe it or not, I kinda forgot about it. The other day I realized that pretty much every thing on my left side has been feeling pretty good when I run, either on the treadmill or on the road. Go figure. I guess its that old "Let Go & Let God" thing!

Today, I was all inside and out, consumed by my own personal repercussions associated with the Recession of 2008-2009; wicked crazy, actually. Early in the day, I did 30 minutes on the elliptical and later in the day I went back to the gym for 40 minutes of strength training. When I was finished I felt terrific; I felt strong, able to deal with all the uncertainty, pressure and stress the current economic environment is putting on us all. I think I am going to make a point of getting at least 2 strength sessions in a week, even if it costs one running session. I need that strength buzz!

Just in from a run outside
.... around the neighborhood; 3.56 miles, lovely early spring morning, temps in the low 50s with light breezes. When the sun was, the warmth was so delicious. Later dark gray clouds rolled in and some light sprinkles rained down. Today I broke out a new pair of running shoes. The run or the shoes revealed Achilles and other tightness/soreness. My take away is the elliptical and treadmill are not doing enough to keep me in shape. Not a biggie; am kinda stoked to step it up. The hints or spring are motivating! The short term plan is to 1) stretch out the distances on runs and the elliptical (more time; more calorie burn). And 2) to reduce calorie intake (wine, snacks, etc.) and 3) increase veggies. Now for a shower!

Just Running Outside
Got out today for a run; beautiful sunny, cool day in the low 40s. My asthma was not an issue even though earlier today I was coughing a lot. Most of my running this season has been on the treadmill, so it was good to be outside in shorts and a double layer of long sleeves (had gloves for about half a mile).

My shoes now have over 500 miles on them, including workouts on the treadmill; it may be time to roll out the new pair I have in the closet??? As I was running around the neighborhood, I kept thinking, being this is Feb. 1st, that Spring was not far off. One can wish, right? More than that, though, I was looking for early signs of Spring. You know, tree buds and plant sprouts peeking through the snow covered ground. No such luck.

Between the cold, minor injuries and pressures on the budget, I have not been in a race or structured group event since Cow Harbor in September. Am really looking forward to some sort of race real soon. There are some interesting 15K and 25K runs coming up in March but I don't know if I have enough base. As it warms up, I will work on stretching out my long runs. I am setting my sights on a 10K (Long Island Festival of Races) on May 2nd and a 25K on May 9th.