Cold Weather Run

Today was a great run.  Ran my 5K route, pushing myself for a better time.  It was cold and wet.  The snow was beginning to melt but there was no sunshine and I got wet splashing through puddles.  It was a good run.  I felt great and made it in 25:00 or so.  Polar Plunge at noon tomorrow, fund raiser for Special Olympics.  Not sure if I will run tomorrow before plunging.

Good run this morning.  A little over 5 miles.  Cold, clear and sunny!  It's amazing how much enjoyment I can get from the beauty of my surroundings.  I run these same routes day after day but see something unique each time.  This morning a really big hawk or falcon was sitting in a tree.  As I ran by, the bird flew off towards the north.  It was just a beautiful sight.  I enjoy these runs through the farm lands because of the absence of traffic.  I see an occasional farm or ranch truck, but that's it.  I finish on a gradual up-hill grade east on Midvalley Road that can be busy but I stay on the city trails and feel safer.

Back from Logan

We got back from the funeral in Logan, Utah yesterday.  It was a long trip home.  Seemed like it took forever.
Got up this morning committed to a run.  The sun was shining brightly, it was cold and there was lots of ice from the storm that fell while we were away.  I had a nice run.  I took it easy since I hadn't run since Thursday of last week.  I felt good.  My back is feeling good and I had no problems.  The run was my 5K route which I really enjoy. 

Haven't ran since my last post.  Too many distractions and commitments.   The funeral of my grandfather in Logan was the last one.  Monday, I am back "on the wagon" and will start back with a vengance.  Just to throw another wrench in the works, I switch to the graveyard shift next week.  I will be running after I wake up.  During the summer I would run immediately after work but it is too dark, cold and icy in the winter at 06:00.  Wish me luck.  I am now training for a 10K at the Snow Canyon "Spectrum 10K."

First run since tweaking my back.  It had been a full seven days.  It was a beautiful day to run.  It had snowed a little last night but the sun was shining brightly.  It was cold and the wind was blowing....but...I had a brand new pair of shoes to break in!  The run was shorter than what I like, about a 5k.  I felt better than I expected but my back is a still a little sore.  I will take it easy and ease back into the longer runs.  My grandfather passed away and the funeral is Saturday.  I was supposed to run a race in Saint George that day but I know I need to be with my family.  There will be other races.  I arranged with a friend to pick up my packet...after all...I'm all about the T-Shirts!

Hurt my back moving my treadmill from the family room downstairs, to an empty bedroom upstairs.  Ended up going to the "quacka-a-practor" yesterday.  Feel a little better day.  Don't have to work until Monday so I hope another day or two of rest does the trick.  I'm signed up for a 5-K in Saint George next Saturday.  I was really looking forward to that race since I haven't raced since the Utah Summer Games in June.  Rolled my ankle badly at work chasing a bad guy the week after the games and it took me this long to rehab.

Another nice run under my belt.  6 miles in just under an hour.  I am working the swing shift so it's tough to get up and run before work.  Today is one of my three days off so I waited until my wife went to work to go.  (I don't get to spend much time with them on this shift) so  I left at about 11:00 am.  It was cold and snowing lightly.  So far the weather has not been an issue.  I just bundle up in layers.  I found that I can't over dress or I get over heated quickly.  I found that if I start out a little cool, then by the end of the run, I am perfect.

I run a route that covers quite a few dirt roads.  I found out that my feet stay warm, no matter what the conditions are.  I found these "Smart Wool" running socks at Ace Hardware.  They keep my feet warm in winter and cool in summer.  They are expensive, about $15.00 a pair but worth it.  I have yet to replace a pair because they have worn out.

I wear Asics 2140 shoes.  I am on my second pair now.  I have just ordered my third pair.  I got a $50.00 gift coupon through Sports Authority on-line.  This is the first pair of shoes I have ordered on-line.  I should be OK because they are the same shoes I have already been using.

If I had some advice for new runners, it would be to go to a place where they can evaluate  your "gait."  I did this at the Saint George Running Center in Utah.  They were a great help in choosing the right shoes for me.  They took the time, let me try on and actually run in different shoes before deciding on a pair I was comfortable in....and...it didn't cost me a penny more.  They were actually very reasonably priced.  I would recommend Saint George Running Center to any one as a "one stop" shopping place for all your running needs.

In Salt Lake today. Had to come for some meetings and to see my grandfather who's health is failing. Went for a good run this morning. a AT 08:00, temperature was somewhere near 15 degrees. I went about 5 miles. When I got done, I had frost all over my beanie! Beautiful time of the morning to run though.

Went for a good run this morning. It was cool, down in the 20's, but it didn't take me long to warm up. I had a companion most of the way. A boarder collie/blue healer mix dog joined me about a mile into the run. Still don't know who she belonged to. She followed me the entire 6 miles, then looked me as I walked into my driveway as if to say..."see ya tomorrow!"

I felt good and kept a good pace. My good stop watch/heart rate monitor died on me so I don't know for sure, but I finished the six miles in under an hour by my watch. Felt good at the end...now it's off to work catching bad guys!

I just wanted to start this blog as a way to unite other "heavy runners." I began running in 2008. At the time I weighed 250lbs. Over the next year, I made it down to 195. I now hover between 200 and 215. (The holidays were rough on me.) I am planning to use this blog to track my progress as I struggle to keep the weight off and put mileage on my shoes.

Along the way, I will document my feelings, failures and successes. I will post my race times and just hope to connect with other runners who are in the "heavy runner" category. Honesty...when I run I feel like a cow among gazelles! Wish me luck!