Thanks all for the advice.

FtRobbie, Thanks for the kind words, side note even though the pic says "July 2013" It's just the most representative pic I have. I didn't start getting healthy until January 2014, so all of my gains have been done in about 10 months (10 months of hard work, with some highs and lows).

Daily Check In
Finished Week 3 Day 2 last night. Put in 4.94 Miles. Slightly increasing with each run.

Same as everyone else the cold is coming here now in the Mid Atlantic. I don't have it as bad as Upsaluki. Looking at a 38 degree run on Friday.

But very much need to get some better jogging pants, gloves and headgear. I have a waterproof softshell jacket that should fair nicely though.

Not looking forward to being forced on the dreadmill. It's just too boring.

I started on the dreadmill and moved outdoors due to aircon issues never looked back, well until now.

Ceci re counting laps, keep 14 small coins in your pocket and move one from one pocket to the other every lap. When there are no more left move the whole lot back and start again. You then only need to count the miles or just look at the time.

Upsaluki, re hills and fartleks. This came from Kelly Holmes, 2004 double gold Olympic medal winner who I was lucky enough to have a single training session with. Set the dreadmill to the sprint speed you want. Support your weight on the siderails, start running in the air and lower yourself on. To get off do a sidesplit jump off of the belt onto the stationary deck. It does work you just need to start at lower speeds to perfect the technique before going flat out. It's not as good as outside but it is fairly effective. Same goes for setting an incline for hills. You can injure yourself so if in any doubts don't do it. Normally people cannot change the speed while running at those intensities, so the jumping on and off works.

TowsonChuck, you have done even better, well done.

My heart does go out to you guys with the cold conditions you get and the fact that you will have to workout indoors. Here, snow not too much, ice some but we just get driving cold rain. However I have just got a delivery of compression tops, thermal gloves and beanies. Looking forward to being warm on the inside and wet on the outside.

Whilst we were in California, there was some drizzle, the locals were thankful for the rain, I don't put a coat on for that at home. We were walking around in t shirts, the locals gave us some strange looks. It all depends on your terms of reference.

Have fun everyone.

Robbie- good idea. I'm thinking about making a beaded bracelet that will allow me to move the beads. Will have to figure out how to keep them from moving on their own.

It's supposed to be back in the 40's or 50's here next week- that should be perfect for running outside. I can't handle the 20's though!

My girls bike group is doing spin classes through the winter since we can't ride outside as much. I did my first one last night. Tough, but fun!

My other issue this week is that my smart phone died and I'm using an older phone until the new one gets here, so no apps. :-(

Ceci_O_K wrote: »

Robbie- good idea. I'm thinking about making a beaded bracelet that will allow me to move the beads. Will have to figure out how to keep them from moving on their own.

It's supposed to be back in the 40's or 50's here next week- that should be perfect for running outside. I can't handle the 20's though!

My girls bike group is doing spin classes through the winter since we can't ride outside as much. I did my first one last night. Tough, but fun!

My other issue this week is that my smart phone died and I'm using an older phone until the new one gets here, so no apps. :-(

I'm not quite up to running untethered yet. I have to have my tunes and run double app.

Saturday I headed off to parkrun and I was actually awarded parkrunner of the month for my local parkrun (For October). Seeing as I had missed my Friday run, and hadn't got there early enough to try and make up km's I just went out hard. Came home dead on 22 minutes for the 5k WHOO HOOO!
This morning I went out on my local trails to test out some loops and get a few extra km's in. It was a crap run, legs hurt, felt like throwing up a few times, so there was probably more walking/hiking than running. Original hope was for between 10 & 16km's, that got canned and I was home after a little over 6. Still runs like that will happen. Means I've fallen short of my target for the week, but it's still my second biggest mileage week ever.

Upsaluki, like Robbie i've learnt to go untethered (to music at least) for me it does change the running experience. Some runs I do with music now, some I don't. Obviously if running with people I go without the tunes.

Ceci, it's both fun and annoying setting up a new phone isn't it? I think that's partly why I'm still on an older iPhone 4. Nice run you had

Bad Robbie! bad bad Robbie! Only joking, you gotta live life. I'm actually surprised I didn't have a hangover Sunday. Good runs though, and getting to know your course before your race is invaluable... A 40th the night before the race.... that is gonna be hard dude. Good luck

Uggh..My kids did not want to get out the door today. Pretty much ate up all of my running time. It's 7 F and 1 degree with wind chill. I finally have my gear sorted now I'm a little worried about footing. Now that we have snow on the ground I need to dig out the Yaktrax. I'm going to take another crack at getting a run in at lunch.

ftrobbie wrote: »

Ceci these might work for you https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NA3sYLOhx5A or search for ranger paracord beads on youtube. Designed to count off paces.

This is all kinds of awesome! Just what I was looking for! Thanks!!

Drink, don't drink, drink, don't drink . What makes it worse is that we have a child free night. Dilemmas! And I can be bad to the core.

Calves stiff this morning although have loosened up a bit during the day.

Ceci/ upsaluki, those are scary temps especially with snow on the ground. You have my sympathy. Hope you guys, if you go out, stay safe.

taeliesyn, you seem to be dropping out HM plus runs weekly. Good on you, it's interesting to read how you change your training plan on the hoof with how you are feeling. Your LSR certainly appears to make up for your disappointment last week.

TowsonChuck, at least you found out now. When trying new kit I normally save it for my shortest runs or if in a programme even put in a special kit run. There is nothing worse than running whilst something is not behaving. You are doing great, the continuous long peices will not be too far off. Keep going outside if you can.

I went to the gym yesterday, determined to run on the indoor track. I made it 5 miles (70 laps). It wasn't too painful. I completed the 5 miles in 50:14. I wish I could run that fast outside with hills! Someday.

Robbie, I made a modified version of the paracord beads with 7 beads, so across and back was 1 mile. Perfect! (Enjoy a few beers with your friends, but don't go overboard!)

I just registered for a 10k that is this Saturday, even though there's an 80% chance of rain. At least the temp will be in the 40's!