Weekly Log 1-24-11 to 1-30-11

Monday: 8 miles - Rome Point trails alone.  Fantastic run!  I was sick of roads and took a chance with trails and was rewarded with hard packed snow, even on the lesser used side trails.  I had Yaktrax on my trail shoes, but probably didn't even need them.  My splits were not far off of a fast run on clear trails.  I included 1.5 miles of beach, but I think I busted a Yaktrack there.  The bay was busy with birds - huddled here now that there is no open freshwater anywhere.  The temperature was 16 degrees and I wore an extra layer - Patagonia long underwear.  It kept me nice and warm throughout.  Total time: 59:50. 

Tuesday: 7 miles - Rome Point trails with Dan.  It was a whacky weather day - forecast for a chance of a snowshower and upper 30's, but we had light snow all day (about 3" total) until 2PM.  Dan and I decided to run the trails since the roads were a horrible mess.  He brought his iPhone and took a lot of photos.  The footing was a little slower in the woods than yesterday, but tolerable.  A fun run in the snow!  Total time: 57:30. 

Wednesday: 7 miles - Rome Point trails with Dan.  I'll save my weather forecasting rant for another day.  Let's just say it was another awesome snowy run (except for the pack of unleashed dogs including a German Sheppard and some giant Alaskan thing).  We ran "fast" for what the conditions allowed.  The moderate snowfall made it hard to see at times.  Total time: 55:31. 

Thursday: 0 - really good cross training day shoveling heavy wet snow for a total of 3 hours. 

Friday: 4 miles - Wickford roads with Gip.  Not a lot of running options today (carless) so I snuck in an easy run with a coworker.  Total time: 32:00. 

Saturday: 6 miles - Shumunkanuc Hill roads alone.  A nice hilly workout in the morning before my wife had to go to work.  I ran it pretty hard, but could have pushed more.  Total time: 42:24. 

Sunday: 8 miles - Shumunkanuc Hill roads solo.  Warm day.  Same course as yesterday, but added a mile to the 3 mile out and back.  My plan was to run for an hour and keep it relatively easy.  I was feeling good through 5 miles (35:31) and decided to pick up the last 3 - 6:35 (downhill), 6:52 (uphill - new record for Poquiant Brook up to the old farmstead), 6:28 (up and down).  I feel really good about the 19:55 for these 3 hilly miles.   Earlier in the day, my family and my parents hit up the family swim time at the Y.  Pard and I scanned the dreadmill room for Muddy.  Total time: 55:26. 

Overview: I'm happy that I continue to run almost every day.  This month has been challenging weatherwise.  I'm not doing the workouts that I envisioned (speed day and long day), but I am very happy with my efforts at Rome Point in the snow and the hilly roads at home.  I'm thinking that the Super 5K is a possibility for next Sunday. 

Weekly Total: 40 miles
Last Week: 38 miles
Year to Date: 166 miles