Accidents can Happen

I was reminded earlier this week that no matter how careful I think I’m being, accidents will happen.  With 10″-12″ of snow on our roads since last Friday I was on the treadmill over the weekend.  Then it looked like the roads were clear enough for running Monday and Tuesday but I was still extra careful and, in fact, cut one run short when I was losing footing on the turns.  So I didn’t think I had anything to worry about when I was out shoveling the walk just to widen the path a little.  Then as I was walking to put the shovel back in the garage my boot kicked an uneven brick in the walk and down I went, right on my kneecap.  Man, that hurt!  I have a nice blueish- green kneecap and pain when I bend it but it doesn’t appear to be more than a bruise.  I’ve reduced my miles a little the last few days on the treadmill to hopefully help it heal a little quicker but it still hurts.

I know I’m lucky I only got a bruised kneecap and not a broken wrist or worse from the fall.  I was concerned about running on the snow and ice but it was walking that got me. 

Accidents can (and will) happen.  Be ready.

Run Like The Dickens – It’s COLD!

Mid-December weather can be unpredictable in Michigan.  I knew that when I registered last month for the “Run Like The Dickens” race up in Holly.  ( www.runlikethedickens.com )  But frankly I hadn’t considered 17 degrees  with  a cold wind an option.   But that’s what we had this morning.  So most of the 700+ runners in the 5k and 10k kept their fleeces and wind-gear on the entire race.    

After my October marathon I was in the mood for a nice short 5k so this Holly race sounded fun.  No extra prep needed.  I could just do my normal training runs and not worry about water on long runs, gel packs or interval training.  Just show up at the race and run.  The only real pre-race decision to make was how warm to dress.  The wind made it feel much colder than the 17 degree temp my car showed.  I went with Under Armour Cold Gear top and leggings plus a lined wind-breaker, hat and gloves.  

As we stood at the start waiting for the train to move through Holly so we could start, I was thinking I would just run a fairly easy pace.  Nothing too fast in these conditions.  I had done a few warm-up laps around the parking lot but certainly didn’t feel limber.  So as the gun sounded (actually one of the race organizers simply yelled “GO!), I started at what felt like a comfortable pace.  Not knowing the course, I didn’t know our distance until I spotted the “1 Mile” sign when my watch read 7:53.  Not great but not bad.  I was loosing up some so I decided to push the pace a little.  At the “2 Mile”  sign I was at 14:32 so I just kept that pace.   As I turned the corner at the “3 Mile” sign I could see the finish line straight ahead and a guy just off my left shoulder.  From a quick glance he looked to be about in my age group and I think he realized the same thing because at the same instant we both kicked it in to high gear.  Two 50-something year-old guys racing all out.  That could be dangerous.  He hit the mat a step ahead of me at 23:51.  For a casual race on a cold, windy December day I was satisfied.  That is until the results were posted inside the gym about 30 minutes later.  Of 17 guys in my age group I was 4th.  Crap.  They were giving awards to the top 3 places in each division.  My time was 20 seconds behind the 3rd place guy.  

As the awards were handed out I watched to see who was 3rd in my division.  Yep, it was the guy I raced to the finish.  He must have started a little behind me but with the timing chip he had 20 seconds on me.

It was a nice race but next time I’m going to train and take it serious.         

The Treadmill Trade-off

Treadmills have some advantages

Most serious runners don’t consider treadmill running as “real” running.  We would rather suit-up in the Cold Gear, hats, and gloves and brave the winter weather than stare at the same wall from the treadmill for 6, 8 or 10 miles.   Treadmills are fine for casual joggers or walkers that just want to get their 20-30 minutes in three times a week.  But runners want to map out a run and cover ground.

All that sounds great until you wake up to 3 inches of snow and it’s still coming down.  You can dress for the cold, but running in snow is tricky and often dangerous.  Hit one patch of ice under that snow and you’re on your back with a cracked skull or trying to break your fall with a stiff arm and breaking your wrist instead.  So, you face a dilemma, skip that day’s run or fire up the treadmill.

That’s what I did yesterday morning.  My first treadmill run of this early winter season.  I was not looking forward to it but after a couple mile warm-up I remembered that the treadmill has an incline adjustment.  So, for the next couple miles I did some hill work, alternating quarter-miles.  I never do hill work outside (southeast Michigan is not know for it’s rolling landscape).   So there is at least one advantage of treadmills – instant hills.

Then I found myself watching the treadmill screen as the tenths-of-miles clicked off on the distance display.  It occurred to me that knowing the exact distance you’re covering could also be an advantage.  When I run intervals outside I ballpark my 440s and 800s but on the treadmill I can do exact intervals.  So, for the next couple miles I hit the pace buttons up and down each quarter-mile and did some serious intervals.  Another advantage of treadmills.

At the end of that workout, I had done my seven miles for the day, done some good hill training and even got some interval work, all without leaving my basement.

 I’m not ready to give up winter outdoor running but there is a trade-off.   I’ll head outside when the roads are clear but the trade-off of staying indoors and getting a controlled workout is not as bad as I remembered.