Another 26.2

This run features a huge transition: from 30 degrees to 80 degrees!

This week we're on vacation in Key West, FL, and during trips I try to not take a vacation from running. In fact, it's usually one of the more enjoyable times to run--- it's a great way to explore a new place.

Today was absolutely sweltering, however. Quite sunny, 80 degrees, and very humid. When I returned to the hotel, I looked like I had been swimming in my running clothes. And as my heart rate attests, it was apparently more work to run today then it was running 8 miles in the sleet on Saturday. (even though I didn't run it as a speed day per my schedule...hey, it is vacation, after all!)

And in spite of the tiring tropical conditions, I'll take the summer running weather in February when I can get it. =)

Run stats:

• 4.51 mi.
• 41 min. 26 sec.
• 9:11 min./mi.
• 624 calories
• 163 avg. heart rate
• Miles to date: 23.39

Posted by Kristofer Layon at 9:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Today's theme was "things that slow you down." The list includes:

1. A thin coating of snow on top of ice.
2. Strong SE winds.
3. Hardly any other runners out (making morale low).
4. Bonus item: gale-force sleet occasionally striking the corneas (ski goggles would have been wise).

Sometimes the snow was crunchy and really grippy like a running track, but I could tell that for the most part, I lost a fair amount of time due to slippage.

It's one of those days where time doesn't end up really mattering; just getting the job done will have to be heroic enough.

Run stats:

• 7.77 mi.
• 1 hr. 17 min. 4 sec.
• 9:55 min./mi.
• 1078 calories
• 157 avg. heart rate
• Miles to date: 18.88

Posted by Kristofer Layon at 11:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Wow, it was like running in April today! The snow was melting, the sun shining, and it was simply spectacular as a result. But I didn't feel like doing sprints yet--- I think those can wait.

Run stats:

• 5.08 mi.
• 43 min. 33 sec.
• 8:34 min./mi.
• 611 calories
• 157 avg. heart rate
• Miles to date: 11.11

Posted by Kristofer Layon at 8:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Today marks the official first day of training for this year's Grandma's Marathon (June 16, Duluth), which will be my second ever. Last year I finished in 5 hours and 2 minutes (11:30 min./mile). My goal had been 4-1/2 hours, but it was really hot and humid, so I sacrificed a bit of time to ensure that I finished. This year my goal is to run 10 min./mile or faster and finish under 4-1/2 hours.

I registered a few weeks ago, somewhat late, and had been worrying whether I would get in. Then my friend Eric reminded me that even though I haven't received my confirmation card yet, I should check and see if my entry fee check was deposited. So I went online and saw that it was--- so I'm in!

Today's run was nice, 6 miles. The wind was from the northwest, so my loop around Lake Harriet was nearly perfect in that I ran into the wind first, and had it at my back on the return trip. It was also sunny, which always helps in psychologically dealing with the cold.

Run stats:

• 6.03 mi.
• 54 min. 12 sec.
• 8:59 min./mi.
• 748 calories
• 156 avg. heart rate

Posted by Kristofer Layon at 9:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)