Weekly Log: 1.20.14 - 1.26.14

Monday - Burlingame, Charlestown, RI - 10.5 miles

With the day off I decided to run a counterclockwise loop around Watchaug Pond.  Parked at the picnic area and got the short road section out of the way.  Rather than stay on Vin Gormley I jumped on Sammy C's.  Lots of gunfire throughout the run coming from North Burlingame.  Took a side trail back over to Schoolhouse Trail and then rejoined VG briefly before heading back over to finish Sammy C's.  I passed a fellow running the other way on Buckeye Brook Road.  I saw him again at the parking lot.  I should have introduced myself but got shy and scampered off home to lunch instead.

Tuesday - Charlestown, RI - 2.1 miles

Ab Ripper X (15 minutes) / Push-ups (standard/military/wide) 20/20/30/20/20

Short cold run with the dog this morning.  Then I multitasked - got the fire going while I alternated between push-ups and the Ripper.  Short but tiring workout and the basement was cooking by the end.

Wednesday - 0 miles

P90X2 Yoga X2 (60 minutes)

Thursday - Wolf Hill, Smithfield, RI - 7 miles

130 pushups (standard/military/wide) 25/25/30/25/25

I was looking forward to getting out onto the snowy trails and bought some Yaktrax Pros yesterday in preparation.   The initial trails on Wolf Hill were already broken in as I had anticipated which allowed me to follow tracks for awhile.  It was most definitely cold out there but between the cold compression gear and my fleece vest I warmed up quickly.  My hands were the last to hold onto the cold - my thumbs became frigid and I was concerned but eventually they too warmed up.  Soon the tracks turned around and I was breaking through fresh powder.  It was beautiful out there but slow going.

The Yaktrax gave me traction for the rocks/ice underneath the snow but they kept coming up over the toes of my shoes.  Very annoying.  Towards the end of the run it became more frequent and began to aggravate my left big toe.  I'm not impressed at all with this product and will be returning them.   I had bought them because I had a gift card to the Sports Authority but I should've just ponied up for a superior traction device.

Friday - Smithfield, RI - 3.2 miles

Ab Ripper X (15 minutes)

Short run in the woods before work.  Very cold like yesterday but enjoyable jogging through the fluffy snow.  Lots of animal tracks.  I gave the Yaktrax another shot and they fared better this time.  No issues with them, even on a rough singletrack section.

Saturday - Charlestown, RI - 2.8 miles

P90X Back & Biceps (50 minutes)

Oof.  This one wore me out.  I've really slacked on getting back into pull-ups and I paid the price in this workout.  Pretty much had to stick to assisted pull-ups.  The weighted exercises then finished me off.  In the afternoon I ran a couple miles with the dog.  Probably our fastest pace yet - 8:08 average.

Sunday - Charlestown, RI - 15.3 miles

I woke up supremely sore from yesterday's Back & Biceps.  It was freezing outside and after I got the fire going I found I had little appetite for running.  Instead I had breakfast.  By midday I had finally worked up the will to get my gear on and head out the door.  It was drudgery at first but after a mile I found my rhythm and began to enjoy myself.   It wasn't too cold for the first few miles until the wind asserted itself.

I ventured down Biscuit City Road and took the powerlines down to where it hits the Pawcatuck River.  Too bad there's no way to cross into the Great Swamp.  Retraced my steps to the road and continued on to Route 2.  I kept the pace in the low 8s and felt good, taking the country roads around and into Shannock Village.  The next section of Route 2 felt like a slog and I decided to take the Narragansett trail back to Old Coach rather than continue on Route 2.  This was a good choice.   There was a lot of foot traffic on the trail and I decided to take another stab it to Black Pond Road.  Success!  The snow revealed an overgrown path that snaked its way to the road.  It was tough to follow at points but it was definitely an old trail.  I wonder if I'd even be able to see it without the snow.

Once I hit Black Pond I turned around and ran the trail again to get used to it and then followed the Narragansett trail back to Old Coach.  The cold temps began to finally chill my body.  The My legs were tired now and the last mile on pavement felt like more of a trudge than a run.   I'm glad I got out there though and the trail discovery was a nice bonus.

 

Weekly Mileage: 40.9 miles

Year to Date: 134.9 miles