I was truthfully a little scared of my long run over the weekend. I had totally skipped my long run last weekend to go to Vegas and due to single digit temperatures I was scared out of my short runs during the week, so I had not run in over a week. I started out by mapping my 9 miles and found the perfect route, something as scenic as it gets around these parts. Of course I went prepared to brave the wind chill temperature of 15* by bundling up in everything that I owned. Plus I guess when you can’ t see my mouth it makes me look incredibly angry…
Since I was planning on a long run I made sure to take my hydration belt full of GU with me.
I did mention scenery, right? So here is the beautiful view from our bridge in the middle of winter when the river is frozen over. Quite the sight to behold.
Then I almost got attacked by some Canadian geese but luckily they flew away at the last moment before my geese ass kicking.
I spent two miles running through a local metropark and I was running in inches of snow the whole time. I could really feel the pain in my legs right away. Running through the snow is like running in sand. Except it is frigidly cold.
Whenever I run along this path I ALWAYS see deer off the side foraging for food. This long run was no different.
These deer are so used to seeing people around that they let you get extremely close before they even back away. There were 10 deer in total so I had a great walk break to watch them for a little while.
I was fearful of having a bad run since I my legs hadn’t been run on in awhile but I surprisingly didn’t have trouble until after I stopped running in the snow. After that my calves tightened up quite a bit and I was having pain in my good knee. I think I should have taken it easier through the snow, but I did have a great run and a few hours later my legs were feeling like normal.
Do you run so you can catch as much scenery as possible?
Do you plan your run around where you can fill up with water or use the bathroom?
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I never plan to refill my bottles because where I run, that is not an option.
I do plan my runs so as to run on as much dirt as possible, which usually means more scenery as an added bonus.
good job on the 9!
In the summer especially, I run near certain places so I know I can fill up my water bottle. I don’t need as much water in the winter, but I am a huge drinker, even when I run.
Thanks!
Ha, another Lisa posted before I did so I will be TechChick from now on. What are the odds? haha
So, good job on that 9 miles being done. I had to do my 16 mile long run yesterday, and yep, I did it on the treadmill because it was raining. No go on rain, I don’t need any blisters!
For the question, I drink very little water when I run, so it is never an issue for me. Mostly in the summer I use the water to just pour on my head! I suppose that is not the best hydration plan, but it works for me. I can’t stand to have anything sloshing around in my stomach. Sometimes I just rinse my mouth and spit the water out. I do love seeing all the deer over there where you ran. It’s a nice little nature preserve smack dab in the middle of our “big town”
Hello other Lisa =)
I am such a huge drinker, all day, even during my runs I drink drink drink!
I don’t have a treadmill to use, but I change my pace too frequently for it to be effective for me. So I much prefer to be outside, even if it is sprinkling (not raining!). The towpath is fun to run on!
Congrats on your 9 miles!
I don’t take anything to drink with me during my runs, but during the summer if I’m going more than 4 miles, I try & run past the park with the water fountain if I’m thirsty (they turn off the water to it during winter)–same goes for the bathroom. Apparently people don’t need to pee in the winter??
As for scenery, there’s nothing around here except houses in subdivisions or hills, so I decide whether I want a hilly run or flat.
Thank you Amy! I hope you are feeling better! If I am going on a short run I don’t take a drink, but for my long runs I NEED that drink. And our park does the same thing…people don’t have to pee in the winter up here either I guess.