Sunday, February 7, 2021

It Might Be Cold but I Got to Run a Live Race!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

And we're in the middle of a never-ending pandemic...don't forget that. Live events are a rarity and I'm thrilled that the race director was able to pull this one off. It was a very small event, limited to 75 runners. The excitement of running a live race waned quickly with the arrival of bitterly cold temperatures. In fact, I had to really convince myself not to DNS. Reminding myself how fortunate I was to have a live event to look forward to really was the deciding factor. It's not like I haven't run in the cold before, either. I have all the gear including that awesome NorthFace thermoball jacket. I also recently purchased a SmartWool running skirt, which I wore over my tights. So off I went and I will share more details below. 

As I mentioned on my Coffee Talk post, I've been struggling with motivation lately. I was doing ok, but once we got the big snows of the past couple of weeks, my trails were inaccessible. I was suddenly really limited to where I could run. Couple that with the cold, windy weather that arrived this week and an RA pain flare on Tuesday...well, it's been mentally challenging. Outdoor running has been my therapy for over 30 years and I need it now more than ever. I am determined to suck it up and get outside no matter what, even if it is only for a few miles. My race on Saturday proved to me how important that is right now.

Weekly Rundown
Monday: home strength training
Tuesday: rest
Wednesday: run 3 miles
Thursday: strength training
Friday: treadmill run 3.5 miles
Saturday: Universal Sole Valentines Day Trail 5k
Sunday: treadmill run 6 miles

Running

If you follow me on Instagram, I shared that I had a major pain flare on Tuesday. Every joint in my body was affected. I spent the day on the couch wondering what I did to anger the sleeping giant. By Wednesday, the pain had calmed down enough that I thought I could attempt a run around the neighborhood. I was still fatigued, so I brought back the run/walk intervals, but even with those, I had to call it at 3 miles. It was a pretty, sunny day and I was glad to get outside, even if it was for a short run.


On Friday, the wind was howling and we had gotten another couple inches of snow overnight, so I took my run to the treadmill. I don't know if it was residual fatigue from the flare or because it was the treadmill, but I just wasn't feeling this run at all. I pushed the stop button at 3.5 miles and got ready for work. 

I woke up to bright sunshine on Saturday morning, but it was bitterly cold. Under my jacket, I wore an Under Armour cold gear mock neck, and under my skirt, I wore my Craft tights. I put toe warmers in my shoes, hand warmers in my gloves, fastened my Ultimate Direction ankle gaiters, strapped on my YakTrax, and pinned on my bib. I was ready to run. The runners were sent down the trail in 3 waves; I went out with wave 2. We started running in about 8 inches of deep snow--that made my heart pound and I slowed to a walk. After about a half mile, we came upon a nicely packed down single track which made my heart and soles happy. As we approached the turn around point, the leaders were flying towards us, which meant we slower runners had to step off the single track into the deep snow. The same courtesy was extended to us on the way back, with the exception of a few runners, including one BOTP woman who elbowed me off the single track into the deep snow. I don't know what the rule is for a trail race on a single track, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't include that! Anyways, I finished the race the way I came, walking like a drunk in the deep snow to the finish line. There were socially distanced refreshments and non-alcoholic(!) beer. The sunshine and the blue skies really made it feel that much warmer and it's always a pleasure to run in the woods. I'm grateful to the organizer, Universal Sole, for pulling this one together.

Free race photos are always a win!

I woke up Sunday morning to -6F and a wind chill of -24. Boo! The sun was shining and I was so tempted to go outside but common sense won that battle. Instead, I ran an easy 6 on my treadmill, watching Gary Robbins blaze a new trail just last fall in British Columbia. He's one of my favorite ultrarunners. He seems so humble and is always expressing gratitude for what he gets to do. 

Strength Training

Monday's home strength was a really fun workout:
-Thoracic Spine opener on the box 
-Standing dumbbell overhead press 3x 6 reps (20#)
-Tempo front squats 3x5 reps @45#
-12 minute EMOM alternating 8 power cleans (35#) with 10 medball cleans (30#)
-Russian kettlebell swings 3 x 15 (25#) alternating with lateral shoulder raises (10#)

On Thursday, SJ had me build to sets of 3 deadlifts. The first 3 sets were 165#, the last set was 170#. Woo! In between sets, I did one-legged lateral box stepups, holding 15# dumbbells.  We finished up with pull-up work. 


A Final Thought...

The sun really does make a huge difference in the winter, doesn't it? Here's a new word to add to your vocabulary...



It might be cold, but I got to run a live race! /via @oldrunningmom @UniversalSoul #running #runchat #WeeklyRundown
I'm linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Rundown. 





42 comments :

  1. I'm so glad the trail race was such a good experience minus the woman who elbowed you off the path. Geez. Enjoy that apricity as it comes! I know I sure am! :D

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  2. So happy to hear that you ran a real race and that you enjoyed it.

    Glad that your RA flare was short-lived. You are amazing!

    And thanks for the word - never heard of it and it is so appropriate. Unfortunately it is snowing now and the sun has left us.

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    1. I'm still feeling some lingering effects from the flare, but yeah, grateful it wasn't worse!

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  3. I have no words, well no polite words, for that woman who elbowed you off the path. She needed to stay home!

    Congrats to you for running and finishing a live race in such bitter cold. A friend from Hawaii posted on Strava about it being "chilly" for her run. I asked the temp, it was 62! That's not even chilly for a California girl!

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    1. I knew she was trouble when we were lining up! I asked about the waves and what a grump she was!

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  4. It's great that you were able to do your live race! It sounds like the weather has been bad everywhere lately. Glad you are feeling better after your RA flare!

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  5. Sorry that it was so cold for the race yesterday but glad that you were able to run and have a great time! I love that some of the smaller races are still able to offer live events.

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    1. I was glad the sun was out because it sure made it feel 'warmer', if that is even possible!

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  6. Glad you had a good trail race experience - what was with that one woman tho?! And I'm so very glad you're RA flare was short-lived!

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  7. wow that sounds cold and running in 8 inches of snow is super challenging. Congrats on your race. It looks like you had a super fun time and enjoyed the challenge

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    1. It was a lot of fun and made me so happy I have these trails around me!

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  8. I am sorry about your flare, but looks like you conquered that for your race! No one should ever be elbowed off -- doesn't matter the season. She'll get hers, I am sure.

    That Winter sun makes a HUGE difference -- as does the lack of wind. We are not as cold, but we ain't warm either!

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    1. I'm sure she's our age--it was a good reminder not to turn into one of those grumpy old ladies!

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  9. Well done on your race and for getting through the flare. It is hard when you can't go to the normal places - I really struggled in our snow week last week and also not seeing anyone else. And as to elbow woman: ugh!

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  10. Apricity- I love it! I'm going to share that with my sister. She lives in your neck of the woods and will appreciate it.
    Wow that race sound fun. You must have felt like a badass for getting out there and getting it done! I hope your flare has subsided and you have a great week.

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    1. The flare is definitely simmering down--I cut my miles this week, so hopefully by next week I can get back to form!

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  11. Apricity! I love it. So true. Though the past few days here have been sunny and -20 real temps...so it didn't help much, ha!

    So excited that you were able to do an in-person race, way to go!

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    1. The sun doesn't really do much warming right now, but it sure seems like it doesn't it?

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  12. Congrats on your race! The 5k that I did last February is going to be live next weekend and they're really teasing up the ONE DEGREE forecast. Last year it was at least low 20's in race day. I'm going to sit this one out.

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  13. Wait - you ran a race with YakTrax and in deep snow and icy cold weather?! That is so badass!
    Well done, Wendy! Your race photos are very cool too.
    Do you know how long the fastest runner took?

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    1. It was ridiculous. Those guys were flying through the deep snow. The winner finished in 20:09!!!

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  14. Yep, I'm all for apricity. It had warmed up to 0F, so I got out for a short walk this afternoon, and the sunshine was much appreciated!

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  15. My first reaction reading about the runner who elbowed you was "WTH?!" Ugh, I hate mean runners. And for the record, on a single trail you run to the right side to allow others to pass safely, but elbowing is definitely not part of that etiquette. But I am glad that aside from that, you had a good race. When I saw your pic on IG, I was like "You go girl!" :)

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    1. Thank you! Yep, there's always that one runner... it didn't ruin the race for me, that's for sure!

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  16. How awesome that you got to run in a live race, especially after suffering several days from an RA flare. Congrats!

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  17. I am glad you got to run a live race. Umm, that was up with that lady. So rude! Tell me about the skirt, did it help with the cold weather?

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  18. Yay on a live race! A field of 75? Wow! WTF with that B!

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  19. OMG NEW WORD!!!! I've never heard of "apricity" and I love it!

    I am so happy you got to run an in-person race! I know that must have been so invigorating for you! And I know you must be over the snow, but there is something so amazing about the white backdrop and the contrast of runners in all their colors. <3

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    1. The snow definitely makes all the colors pop! But yes, I'm over it!

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  20. So, so glad you got to run a live race. but wow it looks cold!!!! I know you've been struggling lately so I can imagine it was tough to not DNS. Great that you overcame those moments!!

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  21. This looks like a great wintery adventure! I'm glad that you were able to run despite the RA and general blahs. Also good that it was sunny. Those cold temps are challenging! What's BOTP?

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