r/artc 8d ago

The Weekender: Week of December 20, 2024

BEEP BEEP! It's weekend time! What are you up to?

7 Upvotes

20 comments sorted by

7

u/Siawyn 52/M 5k 19:56/10k 41:30/HM 1:32/M 3:13 8d ago

5k tomorrow morning! Still unsure on the snow sitch, that'll determine if I send it or just fun run it.

I think I've been fighting something off this week - not sure what, but I've just been really tired and my paces were glacially slow compared to prior weeks. Been sleeping 9-10 hours a night, so that's unusual but also good I'm getting the sleep. Today actually was the first day I felt like my legs had some energy again so perhaps I'll be ready to send it tomorrow if conditions allow. I just realized we're on day 20 of the month and I haven't had a single run exclusively on the towpath this month - just a couple of very brief sections inside a run. I've already lost a few Local Legends, but I think the elevation gain I've been getting is making me a stronger runner - we're at 7294 ft of gain over 164 miles this month. Been filling out the Strava heat map a bit more while I'm at it.

Other than that, some last minute Christmas shopping, as you do.

3

u/RunningPath 42F, Advanced Turtle (aka Seriously Slow); 24:21 5k; 1:55 HM 8d ago

Good luck with the race!

Maybe the volume and everything is just catching up to you? Plus the cold and snow etc. And with the increased elevation as well, your legs are bound be to be tired.

3

u/Siawyn 52/M 5k 19:56/10k 41:30/HM 1:32/M 3:13 8d ago

I thought about that, but I'm not sure. I flirted with overtraining in May and had to do a full reset, but I remember I felt significantly worse with dead legs etc. Here the legs feel fine, just my energy level has been low.

No arguments about the sustained milder weather coming up next week though!

6

u/landofcortados 8d ago

Man, it's been a shitty last few weeks, between food poisoning, a head cold, and tweaking my back. Finally feeling about back to normal.

Going to get some light running in this weekend.

In non-running events, going to smoke a pork shoulder to use for Tamales this week. Going to make blue corn and yellow corn ones, pork, chile and cheese, and chicken. Should be a good time.

4

u/daysweregolden 2:47 / 36 marathons 8d ago

Dang that's a lot. I experienced all three of those this year, just not at the same time.

Those tamales sound incredible.

3

u/Siawyn 52/M 5k 19:56/10k 41:30/HM 1:32/M 3:13 8d ago

You say non-running but that sounds like really good post-LR food!

6

u/daysweregolden 2:47 / 36 marathons 8d ago

I've almost survived my week off of running post marathon. I'm anxious to return, although not fighting the winter for a bit is not the worst thing ever. I might be able to chase down 3200 miles for the year, as a very short term goal.

You guys running through the end here, making next year's mileage goal that much higher?

4

u/run_INXS 100 in kilometer years 8d ago

I think I'm at the lower end of a fairly consistent mileage standard. Since moving from Alaska 10 years ago I have been at 2500-3000 running miles a year (2800-3200 if you count ski kms). I think I'll be at about 2700 running miles and 2900 combined.

My longest running streak ever has been only 100 days - 120 days and I rarely go a month without a day off.

3

u/daysweregolden 2:47 / 36 marathons 8d ago

That's pretty solid. The ebbs and flows are far less important than the real story, which is staying healthy most of the year!

3

u/Siawyn 52/M 5k 19:56/10k 41:30/HM 1:32/M 3:13 8d ago

No days off for me! We're in the home stretch.

My longest streak is 370 days and it actually looks like I'll tie that on NYE, which is a cute coincidence.

3

u/pinkminitriceratops Sub-3 or bust 8d ago

Looks like I’ll be a bit over 2,200 this year. Which is better than last year! Still building back the consistency, hopefully mileage will be back to normal next year. (I prefer to be up closer to 2,500.)

5

u/goldentomato32 37F/22:59 5k/48:00 10k/1:51 HM/4:05 M 8d ago edited 7d ago

I am finally heading to the doctor to see about this cough that won't quit. It's been a week of no running and awful coughing. Of course today I am not singing so I haven't coughed at all and my voice is actually at 60% so I'm going to look crazy at the appointment.

I just hope that I can run soon. I am going insane and running out of Kleenex.

Edit: it was bronchitis. Starting steroids and antibiotics

5

u/Siawyn 52/M 5k 19:56/10k 41:30/HM 1:32/M 3:13 7d ago

Answer: I still can't race 5k's very well when it's cold.

It snowed overnight and the side roads were all snow covered, however the race course was mostly just wet with a few slushy spots here or there.

I didn't wear my Vaporflys as I did not trust the footing on them. Went with my Endorphin Speed 4's which I use for workouts, and they were fine.

Bigger problem was it being 23 F with a 15-23 mph wind so the wind chill was in the single digits. First mile I was on pace for sub 20 but eventually the breathing just got too rough in the cold and my nose just gets so runny it's unpleasant. Plus the wind was just freeeeezing. The 2 other times I've run 5ks when it's been this cold have had similar results - I just can't handle it, not at that kind of effort. Glad this ended up not being my goal 5k! Maybe I'll find one next weekend or some other weekend when I have confidence the weather will be tolerable.

3

u/pinkminitriceratops Sub-3 or bust 7d ago

I did a 5k in similar temps a few weeks ago (but with dry roads), and everyone was a good 30-60 seconds slower than usual. Those temperatures really drain you! And make it hard to breathe.

2

u/Siawyn 52/M 5k 19:56/10k 41:30/HM 1:32/M 3:13 7d ago

I will choose to believe I was 50 seconds slower :)

Good news is really, the legs felt fine, no signs of the tiredness etc I had most the week!

2

u/RunningPath 42F, Advanced Turtle (aka Seriously Slow); 24:21 5k; 1:55 HM 7d ago

Breathing hard is difficult with very cold air. We really aren't meant to do it!

If your roads were at all icy, that's what slows me down the most. On our club run this morning there kept being patches of ice to navigate around. Trying to race a 5k with the fear of slipping in the back of your mind has to slow you down a lot. 

4

u/RunningPath 42F, Advanced Turtle (aka Seriously Slow); 24:21 5k; 1:55 HM 8d ago

I'm on call again this weekend so I may or may not make it to my club run tomorrow. I hope I do, because it's a special holiday run. But it's also going to be cold and possibly icy. If I end up having to come in to the hospital I will probably just get out for 3-4 miles on my own. Then 10-12 on Sunday, location TBD depending on weather.

This morning I got to the treadmill in the basement and my earbuds connected to the bluetooth on my ipad upstairs in my bedroom and wouldn't connect to my phone! I wasn't about to wake up my husband to get my ipad so it was just the sound of the treadmill for me. (Snowing and icy outside.)

5

u/run_INXS 100 in kilometer years 8d ago

Getting in some okay volume (should be 3rd consecutive week with 9+ hours) but feeling a bit on the sluggish side. XC skiing in the winter is a mixed bag, it's a great break from running and feels refreshing while getting as good or maybe better cardiovascular training, but I feel slow for a day or two afterward. No turnover and legs just feel heavy, which was the case for today 75 minutes, 8.5 miles a lot on single track.

Tomorrow planning on a fartlek (2X or 3X 3,2,1) or maybe track session to work on CV. XC champs in just 3 weeks (too too early! but I don't make the schedule). And 12-13 on Sunday.

4

u/pinkminitriceratops Sub-3 or bust 8d ago

It’s supposed to be really cold here this weekend, around zero before windchill. Doing a few miles with a friend tomorrow before the worst of the cold hits. Then will need to decide between treadmill (boring) and outdoors (-5°F) on Sunday. Luckily I already got in my long run this morning!

We’re having a big holiday/end of the semester party tomorrow, so I’ve been baking up a storm. So far made Norwegian pepperkaker, Mexican wedding cakes, and Scottish shortbread. Baking gougères tomorrow! And my husband made an obscene amount of eggnog that’s been aging in the fridge.

2

u/run_INXS 100 in kilometer years 7d ago

We have our nutty Colorado weather, this week with cold (sub 30) warm up to 60 or so by mid-day. And with inversions you can get 10 or 15 degree differential in 100 meters. Like yesterday I started out freezing and then an hour later was overheated.

Today did 3X 800, 600, 400 on the track with 200 m recovery. Originally was going to be 3,2,1 minutes with 1 minute recovery but figure why not do this on the track and a little more challenge. avg about 6:15 pace on the 800s and 600s, 6:05-6:10 on the 400s for my first CV type workout of the cycle. These and longer tempos are my go-to happy place workouts.