100K

This ended up being a pretty difficult race for me. It was 31 degree at start time and a strong headwind for about 40% of the run. I wasn't properly geared up, and didn't have gloves or a beanie. My hands and legs were very cold at the end.  I ran a sub 3:00 marathon until  mile 18 where I quickly broke down after a particularly long hill and heavy wind area and was passed by the 3:00, 3:10 and 3:15 pace groups in the last 8 miles. 

 I took a GU gel at mile 15 and I think that helped fuel the crash. Gu is not good IMO. Loaded with artificial junk and processed sugar. Hammer Gel is much better and didn't cause a crash for me. Either way, I think I should have waited till mile 18 or 20 to take the gel. Also, they only had gatorade for the race, another poor product. I think if I had been drinking heed, or a better sports drink, I would have been in better shape. But what really got to me was the cold. Either way, 3:15 is not a bad time, even though I was hoping to get a PR. It's possible my training hasn't been as strong as it was leading up to the first marathon, but I think it was. I had also been doing a lot of hills and had a lot of endurance with them. I should have gotten a few 20+ milers in though.

Raining like crazy so I hit the treadmill at the gym. First run since the marathon. I had a stuffy nose this morning so I really wanted to get my heart rate and body temperature up and burn out whatever bug might be trying to get me. I ran at a sub 7:00 pace for most of the run and then a 6:15 pace for a mile and then a 5:45 pace for a quarter mile. Got the ol' heart rate up to 180.  Woke up this morning and I'm feeling much better, this bug doesn't have even a fighting chance.

Got a good run to upper park in the rain. Definitely was feeling a lot more tired than usual after only 9 miles, but I made it. I had more in the tank. This is a good thing considering I did a 4.5 miles super fast run 2 days before, and then a full marathon 1 week ago. I'm thinking that I am in shape enough to run 2 full marathons 2 weekends in a row now. If I had fueled up and more water I would have been fine on that run for a full 26 miles, though at a slower pace. I think I'm going to start running 20+ milers each weekend now and see how long it takes before I can do 3 20+ in a week.

9 mile run in the rain. Kept it around 7:30/mile pace. Ran in the cold and rain, but I was prepared. Got myself a running beanie, running gloves and a colder weather long sleave running shirt. Was nice and toasty. Good run, not bad for only 9 days after the marathon though I could feel that my legs were feeling the effects of the run fairly early. I'm going to wait till Friday to run again.... maybe Saturday.

Didn't have my Garmin, but it was at least 10 miles in the cold, at night.  Had my gloves and beanie, was nice and warm. Running at a pretty strong pace throughout most of it, slowed down around mile 6 for a couple miles and then finished strong the last mile and a half or so. energy levels are stronger, also resuming going to the gym. A little tougher for me to run in the winter, with the lack of sunlight. Need that sunlight for my solar power.

 need to start getting in some extra long runs again. 15- 20 miles. Will go for a long one on Christmas at my moms.

Run at night. In the cold. Temp was about 42 degrees. Legs don't like that after a while, they tend to tighten up in anything below 55 it seems., but otherwise I was nice and warm with my brooks gloves and asics beanie.  

 Knees seem to be a little less happy about running lately. I think a few things are up. One, I've been running on a lot of concrete lately and I probably came back a little strong only 5 days after the marathon. (8 mile run 5 days after, and then an 11 mile run 2 days after that.. probably should have waited a little while) Could also be cause I've been cracking my knee joints a lot lately while sitting down at work. Not a good idea I don't think.