Winter Running

Running in the winter sucks! However, you really have to make the most of it.  Last night, I set out on my first winter run of the season. The air temperature was roughly 30 degrees with a light mist and areas of fog. There was an air quality alert in effect, which made it slightly difficult to breath in lower lying areas where the air was thicker.

Luckily, I was well prepared, and the run was success!  I wore two layers on top, a scarf, extra thick pants and socks, a breathable hat, two pairs of gloves, a reflective vest and a headlamp.  The sidewalks were about 30% covered in ice and snow, but it didn't affect my running too much. I tried to take shorter strides to conserve energy and to brace myself in the likely event that I took a spill. I highly recommend the reflective vest. I bought one from MCSports for $12. Warning: You may end up looking like a bright and shiny crazy person, but at least you won't get hit by a bus - or rather that's the goal.

I wanted to get a picture of my full gear, but the vest came off before Matt could get my photo.

So, to my fellow winter runners, good luck out there. If you need a running partner or have suggestions on running in the cold, let me know!

Air Quality Forecast

Living in southern Wisconsin, you don't always think to check the air quality forecast before going outdoors. This isn't exactly a highly polluted area. But, yesterday I noticed that the NWS issued an Air Quality Alert for our county, which meant there would be elevated concentrations of fine particle pollution (aka smog) in the area. It was advised that active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.

I disregarded the warning and decided to set out on my first winter run after work. My route took me from the west side of Madison to the Capitol and ending with three sprints up Bascom Hill for a total of 11.1 miles. It actually went pretty well, but they weren't kidding about the air quality. I definitely noticed thicker air in low lying areas - making it more difficult to breath. I have been really good at coming up with excuses not to run outdoors this winter, and I might just have to add 'Poor Air Quality' to the list.

So, my tip for the day is to check your local air quality forecast before heading out for that long winter workout.

Resolutions Really Do Come True

Last year at this time, I made a resolution... to run my first marathon in 2010! It was something I always wanted to try, just once, just to say I could do it. Having done four half-marathons prior, I decided the bar needed to be raised! So, my resolution for the year was to finish a marathon.

Unfortunately, the problem wasn't setting the goal - it was committing. I really wanted to run in the Chicago marathon - making my way down Michigan Ave with a mass of 45,000 other crazies who share my affinity for running. By the time I mustered up the courage to register for the 2010 Chicago marathon, it was too late. The online registration closed after a record 51 days, once the capacity was met.

And that's what led me to the Lakefront in Milwaukee. The Lakefront Marathon is a point-to-point scenic course from Grafton, WI through rural countryside, along the shores of Lake Michigan and finishing at Veterans Park in Milwaukee. A beautiful course. So, I did it - I filled out the entry forms, submitted by registration fees and took up the part-time job of training for a marathon.

Over the summer, my husband, Matt, and I trained together. It was a struggle at times but we learned a lot along the way. With each run, we increased our mileage and speed. Soon, we were running sub 8-minute miles, must faster than I had ever run before. Turns out, I would need to run this thing in 3 hrs, 40 minutes in order to qualify for the Boston Marathon. It was a long shot, but I might just be able to pull that off.

The long awaited marathon day finally came - Sunday, October 3. Temperatures were 40s that morning under partly cloudy skies with light winds from the north. You really couldn't ask for better running conditions! I was so nervous but also very excited. We saw some friends and family along the route - I really think that made all the difference. We crossed the finish line with tears of joy in just 3 hours, 30 minutes! And I was on my way to Boston.

So, I bet you can guess what my resolution for 2011 is...to finish the Boston Marathon!