December 2017 Running Challenge

3 miles this morning.
It's amazing what 24 hours will bring. Yesterday's run saw me in shorts and short sleeves. Today's run involved long pants, long sleeves, a windbreaker, hat and half gloves. Welcome to December in 'Bama.

I've bumped up to 3.25 miles as of yesterday. My trainer wants me to work toward 4. Some part of me wants to tell her she's crazy. I'm already running more than I'd ever imagined I could (i.e., at all). But she believes in me, and so far I've been able to do everything she's asked me to. I don't feel wrecked after I run, but it's a struggle to keep my pace steady, and along the way I wonder how I'm going to continue. But then I do.

Does anybody else here struggle with their self-confidence?

@SusanDSME like @PastorVincent said running is all about mental fortitude. The words we choose to use when we think on things are important as well. Instead of thinking "Oh my God its FOUR MILES!" Take the power away from the distance, there is not a unit of measure in existence today that can defeat you in and of itself. It really is only 4 miles/ 50k/ 100 miles because in the wake of your limitless potential distance is a small thing- it may not be immediately possible but none of it is beyond you unless you decide it is. You can do it

So guess who found a trainer that runs 200 miles a week y'all

Running Lights - four points and a recommendation

1 - For running trail with any sort of technical component, i recommend using something not attached to your head. A headlamp will render the trail in 2D because you'll lack the depth perception shadows give. A handheld, waist or chest lamp gives you more shadows because it's not nearly inline with your eyes like a headlamp. On the road, I'll always use a headlamp so I can briefly flash my light onto the drivers of cars to let them know I'm there. On the trails I try not to use anything for as long as possible (I've been known to run many miles on trails in near darkness...it's awesome!) and when I do need lamp I'll use as the lowest level possible. I have a headlamp I've been able to remove from the strap and put on my SPIbelt, a waistbelt which carries my phone and ID. The biggest challenge in using a waist lamp is to get it so that it's not bouncing around too much as you run. I have not tried a dedicated handheld, though I have sometimes handheld a headlamp and that works well.

2 - Don't get wrapped up in the numbers game and look only at the total lumens. Quite often using the top lumen output will give you a drastically reduced battery life. But lumen specs sells flashlights so there usually a super high setting that might last an hour or two. I have very few flashlights I ever use at the top setting. Another point about the lumen spec is that you usually only get that when the batteries are fully charged. With an unregulated flashlight, the light output drops considerably, very quickly, then levels off for a while, then slowly fades to zero as the batteries die. A regulated output means that the light output is much more constant right up to the end, but then suddenly drops to zero. Which one you want is your choice. I prefer a regulated source because I make sure my batteries are fresh or charged. Finally, many companies just quote bogus lumen numbers. For a long time there was no standard way to measure lumens so they could list whatever they wanted. Now there's an ANSI/NEMA standard (FL1) to measure lumens but not all manufacturers follow it. Another factor affecting lumen output is whether the light is a spot light or a wide angle light (some are variable). It's easier to claim a high lumen output if you can build a spot beam with concentrated light rather than a wider, often more useful, wide beam.

3 - Weight. If you're going to run for an hour, two, or more, you want a light lamp. I recently bought a set of 2 headlamps from Costco for $18. They were only a bit heavier than favored headlamp but it was enough to make me decide I won't use them for running but they're fine for hunting so I kept them. I then bought another headlamp from REI, the Black Diamond Spot, and it is awesome! Very light, very bright, and long life. Being made by Black Diamond, I know it's well made too.

4 - Battery - replaceable (usually AAA) or rechargable...what's preferred? It depends. I love using a rechargeable most of the time because I'm not having to constantly feed it batteries. The problem with rechargeables on a long run or race is that when they die, you're done. You need to have a backup light in that case. With a light which uses AAA cells, it's simply a matter of carrying spares and replacing them when needed. For anything longer than a couple of hours I bring a backup light. Another consideration is temperature. Alkaline batteries do not work well in cold temps. Get lithium AAA cells or use the rechargables. I do have one headlamp meant for really cold temps which has a remote battery pack you can wear under your jacket to keep it warm. I haven't had a need for this one yet.

Recommendation - As I mentioned above the Black Diamond Spot is a fantastic light, used by many, many trail runners and has stood the test of time. They are a little spend at $40. I got lucky and got a deal at $20 from REI on black friday. Having used it a few times and knowing the reputation, I'd spend $40 on this if I had to. It has three LEDS with different functions. A white spot, a white flood, and a red LED (preserves night vision). All LEDs are infinitely variable brightness.

White flood - 40 to 5 lumens, 30 to 150 hours
White spot - 200 to 4 lumens, 50 to 200 hours
Red LED - I couldn't find specs on this but red usually lasts a long, long time.

The controls on this can be a bit confusing so it take some time to figure it out. I wish I had bought two more of these when the were on sale. Light weight, long battery life (includes a battery charge indicator), flood, spot and red LEDs, waterproof...what's not to love? The only negative I have is that i cannot take it off the strap and attach it to my belt, but I could probably figure out a way around that.