Well, this week I ran 7.5 miles – 2.5 miles on Wednesday and 5 miles on Saturday morning. I was hoping for a second short run during the week, but you know how it goes. I had a lot going on this week, and I’m still recovering from the marathon, so a low mileage week was A-OK with me.
I felt pretty good on Wednesday’s run, but yesterday was a bit tough. Jeff and I ran together both times, which was really fun. It’s been a while since we ran together regularly, and I’ve missed it. On Saturday we decided to try for a fast finish, and ended up running our last mile in 9:36/mile. We were shooting for something faster than any of our other miles and the fastest was 10:14/mile, so I’m pretty happy with how we did. Overall, we averaged 10:24/mile, and when we finished I was pooped! How on earth did I run a half marathon at a 9 min. pace in April? Race magic, I guess. 🙂
It’s cold out now, I get to wear my fancy cold weather socks.
Going forward, my plans are pretty simple and I’m excited about them:
- For the next few weeks (until Thanksgiving), I’m going to aim to run 3 or 4 times a week with my longest run of the week being at least 5 miles.
- Then, from Thanksgiving through New Year’s I’m going to do the Runner’s World Holiday Running Streak. I ran it last year, and I had a blast! As long as I’m feeling good come Thanksgiving, count me in again!
- During/bookending the streak I’ve got 4 holiday races I’m looking forward to: The Buffalo YMCA Turkey Trot 8k, The Reindeer Run 5k, The Run-a-Latke 5k, and The Frosty Four (New Year’s Day).
- And in early January, I’m contemplating a 3 week break from running. I’ve been reading about taking an off season, and I really haven’t had much of a break in…I don’t know…years? So, this might be a good idea. We’ll see. Not running doesn’t sound like quite as much fun as running.
So, that’s the plan, I’ll be having plenty of fun and loads of running adventures in the next few months! And it’ll give me the opportunity to wrap up my 2014 resolutions and figure out what my 2015 goals will be.
What’s on tap for you?
Got any Holiday races on the calendar?
Have you ever taken a non-mandatory, but not entirely wanted break from running?
Let's Go Running 
I think a 3 week planned break sounds like great thing, especially after a run streak. I love planned time off because you can dabble in some other fun activities you put aside during race season. I don’t have any holiday races scheduled, but I’m definitely keeping my eyes peeled for some little local 5ks in the near future. I didn’t realize you were near Buffalo… I may be up in that part for some trail races this summer. I’m pretty close to the NY border and usually do the trail race series in Ellicottville but I’m looking to expand my horizons in 2015.
My problem with the planned break is that I’m not really interested in any other exercises. Haha…I’ll have to find something. I like walking, so maybe that will win out, although in January it’s a bit chilly for walking. Buffalo/Niagara Falls is a great area. I’m not actually living there now, but it’s where I grew up and most of my family still lives so I’ll be traveling there for Thanksgiving, hence the Turkey Trot. I don’t know too much about the trail races around there, but the parks near the falls are beautiful, there might be some good running opportunities around there.
Cross country skiing is the only thing that keeps me sane in the winter. You might love it!
I’m doing a Turkey Trot 5k on Thanksgiving and a Santa 5k (in full Santa suit!) on December 7, and that’s it for races for me for the year. I may look at this streaking thing. I’m just not sure I could run that many days in a row…
I went into the streak last year thinking I wouldn’t be able to complete it because my legs wouldn’t have it in them, but it ended up being easier on my legs than I thought. I did a lot of days where I just ran the minimum one mile, which probably helped.
I love your socks in that picture! The one thing I like about cold-weather running is that I get to wear all my cold-weather gear, which tends to be on the silly side 🙂
I’m doing a Jingle Bell 5K in December, and a 3-mile race at the end of November which isn’t technically holiday themed.
I ended up taking a weird (non-injury) break from running last winter, mostly due to the gross weather and my overwhelming desire to stay cozy indoors. I ran on New Years Day (before all the snow hit) and then didn’t really run again until a St. Patrick’s Day race. I tried the treadmill at the gym and didn’t love it, and did a few short speed workouts with my run club at an indoor track, but mostly I was just lazy. I’m hoping to be better/less lazy this winter!
I try to sign up for a race in early march to keep me motivated in the winter, but I usually switch to the treadmill once it starts getting icy out there.
I also love my winter gear! But sometimes it feels like it takes longer to get all bundled up than it does to do the run.