Top of the Key

It’s like last winter all over again. Tons of snow, never has time to melt away, and just keeps coming. Definitely adds another element to training, that is somewhat hard to do as it is, especially on those dark, cold mornings. Today was no different than what I was doing last year.

I woke up at 4am, and got on the bike a little before 5am. I had brick workout which I missed last week while we were away. It included a 29 mile bike, and a 7 mile run, and then a weight session at the gym. When I awoke, it was snowing, and new I wouldn’t be able to do my fast pace run work outdoors. So I planned to run to the gym to get on a treadmill, hopefully. I rode the full 29 miles on the cranks, and the main set was 19 miles of z3. Not the easiest, but you can start to settle into a pace that will work, and turn your mind off. I’m really happy about that effort. Then ran 2 miles in the snow, literally, probably about 8-10 inches. And the sidewalks weren’t cleared yet, and the roads weren’t that much better. But I managed safely to get to the gym…noone was on the treadmills…sweet! Ran pretty hard out of the gate, and then settled down. I ran 4.5 miles of z3 in a little over 31 min., so about a 7 min. pace. And there wasn’t a line for the treadmills, so I did quick cool down for about 1/2 a mile.

I was feeling really good, with the tunes playing loud and blocking out the surroundings. Did a quick weight session that took under 25 minutes. Needed to get back home. And then I bundled up again and started my run home. I ran more miles than I was supposed to, but giving the conditions, it wasn’t a very fast pace. It was a workout I consider a ‘keeper’, something to put in my back pocket and bring out that experience when I’m having an off day or bad race.