We are close to Spring guys, really, I don’t see or feel it but many of my friends are posting countdowns on facebook every day, so it must be a thing.
Yesterday, March 1st, snowed quite a bit in NYC. This was me:
The shock of still getting snow in March, went back fast to the three month long winter disaffection:
Well.
We’re close to the end of this CRAP weather. Apparently. Who knows. They say there’s more snow tomorrow/this week/next weekend/til the end of times. It might just never stop snowing anymore. I have no idea.
What I DO know is that, somehow, I did FANTASTIC in the worst winter we (I) had. Last year, I sat it out and just whined through it. This time around, I attacked. It’s cold: I am running. It’s colder: I am running more or harder. It’s ridiculously cold: I am doing speedwork you @_#$($#%)$*(@) winter!!!!! Best training method ever, I swear.
Like this day last week, CHECK this out:
It was 3 degrees, feels like of MINUS FREAKING FIVE (-16 and -20 in celsius) and we did 8x400s and strides. That sounds insane right? Well, yes, it was. NY1 (our local news channel if you’re not in NYC!) was there to show how crazy some people are to be out there… that’s us (I am the orange ball of fire with a black vest)
But that’s when you HAVE TO go out (then you can cry the rest of the day). I have to say, I didn’t feel particularly awful. Anything under 25 feels horrendous for me, whether is 20, or 10 or -10, it all just sucks. WHATEVER.
But IT GOT DONE. I am quite proud of my last three months. Here’s a recap of 2015, so far.
January
Was a great month. I was mostly trying to decide if I could run through the Winter. Every day, every cold day, I was testing the water and seeing how many more days I would keep running. Last year I gave up quite early and I was determined to push through. I did. I did 103 miles, I did a few interval sessions and a few long runs (does 9 or 12 miles count?). Even though I am not the resolution type, little by little I discovered weekly goals that worked for me:
- at least 25 miles a week,
- at least one speed session per week and
- at least one session of plyometrics a week.
So far, so good. I am so happy that I was able to push through this (ROUGH) winter. Total Miles: 103.
February
February was the turnaround of the last (almost) two years of lulling around. I did 110 miles. I did speedwork every week, and I did my drills every week. I did 800s and 400s as well as a few hard tempos. I did race a 4 Miler that was a hot mess: I didn’t dress properly and was overheating and I really had no intention to push. A complete real hot mess. But oh well. There’s no 100% perfect month, right? The best thing: I gave up on my guaranteed entry to the NYC Marathon and committed to a Half PR, there I said it, in 2015. It’ll happen in the fall, but the training has started and NYC Half and Brooklyn will be first. It needs to get done. 1:37:35, you’re going down. Total Miles: 110.
March
With one day in… y it started like a lion, snow and all! A good 5K followed by 5.5 miles after quite comfortably. Here’s to not stopping for anything this year.
I couldn’t handle the snow and the cold. So after 18 years on the east coast I decided to move to California. Do’nt know how it ends up, but at the very least it makes the running easier!
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Sounds like 2015 is going to be a good one! Love your attitude! Way to get a lot of good work in during a crappy winter.
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I am planning on that Brad!!! It’s like the crazier it got outside, the CRAZIER I went out!!!!!
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Your 2015 is going way better than mine! With the exception of the back to back Star Wars races I did in January, I have barely run! I have been sick off an on since returning from that trip on top of the weather. I am not planing on a triumphant NYC 1/2. I’m really in the “Just get it done” mind set
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That’s a lot better than sitting it out (which is what I did last year!!!). Soon enough you’ll catch back up!
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Nooo mooore snooow!!! 🙂 I get it and totally agree!! Awesome job on your mileage!! You rock! XOXO
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thanks Kristin. We’re done, right? It’s MARCH!!!
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Yes, we’re done!! 🙂
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41°C in Cape Town today (that’s 105,8°F) Got to say wish I was in NYC now, well I’d say that anyway even if it was hot here. Love your city
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thanks Cheryl, I’d rather be anywhere that is not this weather for a few winter months… 😉
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Next year, come for a visit to Cape Town, we have lots and lots of great races and of course this one – http://www.twooceansmarathon.org.za/ And no snow 🙂
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I’d LOOOOVe to!!! looks amazing!!!!!!!!!!
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You got this!!! I’m totally on board with your idea.
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we’ll know in a few months 😉
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