The Daily Log 12/17/08

Distance: 7.64 miles
Time: 1:14:02
Pace: 9:41/mile
Weight: 196lbs
Terrain: Rolling Hills, some snow-packed segments
Temperature: Cold but calm
Gear: Adidas Running Fleece, Long-Sleeved Nike Athletic Shirt, Adidas Long Running Pants over Under Armour Running Tights, Nike Air Zoom Vomero Shoes, Reebok Stocking Cap
Hydration: Gatorade
Fuel: None
Medical: None
Recovery: Stretches, ice
Shoe Mile Count: 205.94 miles
Days until Marathon: 32

The thought of running some 8 miles on a treadmill sounded less fun by the second, so I thought I'd test the roads outside and see how slick they were. Also, this gave me an excuse to try out the new gear (the running tights).

The sidewalks were under about three inches of snow, which made it difficult to find a rhythm, so I kept almost exclusively to the roads themselves. There were areas of slush and some snow-packed segments, but most of the time I was able to find some bare asphalt to run on, and as I kept to quiet roads, traffic didn't really present too big of a problem. Traction was a little difficult on some of the snow-packed areas, which meant I was using some muscles not usually troubled on a normal run, so it was like running and cross-training at the same time during those stretches, but I slowed down where necessary and adjusted my center of gravity, and never really had any fears about losing my footing.

The temperature was cold, but far warmer than the last time I ran, and I didn't even need my hoodie, just my fleece and a stocking cap. Also, the tights definitely did their job, my legs were probably the warmest part of my whole body today. Finally, no injuries to speak of, and an even pace meant that the only thing I did wrong was forgetting the end of the route. As a result, my total distance was a third of a mile less than the 8 I was planning on, but that's OK, they'll have people pointing me in the right direction in Arizona. ;-)

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