running: the dawn

Today was the day I finally got to test out my new winter running tights.  Result?  A++

I’ve been looking for a pair of actual running tights so that I’m not running in my snowboarding base layer under a pair of old sweats.  True, I survived all last winter with this combo, but it’s high time I act like a legitimate runner…so I found these:

no, this is not me!

I am in LOVE!  I really wanted to make sure that the pants I got were warm without being bulky, reflective, and included ankle zips.  The description from the Road Runner’s website:

Prevent wind chill in the women’s Road Runner Sports Pro Velocity Windfront Tight thanks to windproof front leg panels. Feel great with muscle-supporting compression, moisture management, and secure-fitting grip elastic leg openings with ankle zips. 360º reflectivity.

Everything I wanted, and more!  I love the compression, it’s not so much that it interferes with range of motion, but just enough to feel supported.  And the wind panels?  Genius.  The material is great.  I’m seriously in love with these pants.  Now, if only I could make a full body suit out of those wind panels…

When we got back into town on Friday, it was 50* and raining.  This was the first time that we’ve come home after our Christmas travels when we haven’t had to snow blow our way into the driveway.  Usually the accumulated snow is well over a foot by now.  The heatwave did not last for long, and it has lightly snowed a couple days since then.  However, the major advantage to our lack of snow is that the high school track is available!!!!  Just in time for me to start back with my training.

Today there were 800′s on the agenda!  Most people have their favorite length of intervals, but I’ve come to love them all.  True I don’t always love them during the last 100m when I’m gasping for air, but I just love the structure and focus of track work.  So, after admiring the glory of my new pants, I headed out towards the high school.  A mile’s worth of warm up later, I was lined up and ready to roll.

Goal: 3:17 per 800

Actual: 3:14, 3:13, 3:19, 3:15

I pretty much nailed it.

Then I ran 2 more miles to cool down and was done.

Honestly…it feels a little weird to only have one more run to do this week.  And by weird–I mean I don’t have a stress headache trying to figure out when I’m going to fit in all the workouts I want to do.  I used to carry the weight of my unfinished workouts around with me all day, every day.  And now, I feel almost breezy about it.  I know that my mileage is going to increase and I know that the track and tempo workouts will get more intense, but I must say that for my mental health this plan was 100% the right thing for me.  I love the tomorrow I can go to Jazzercise and have my Insanity date with Shaun T. without feeling guilty because I’m not running.