By now, everyone knows I love training in the winter. The cold air allows for long runs without me ever getting over-heated, and the harsh winds create resistance which builds stamina and strength. As an added bonus, wearing six extra pounds of sweaty layers forces my legs to build stronger muscles as they try to lug the extra clothing. Then the warm spring air comes around, and after four months of training in wintery conditions and extra layers, I feel lighter and faster. A
s evidence, look at some of my PRs set in the spring (March to June):
| Race Distance |
Month of PR |
Marathon
|
March
|
Half Marathon
|
May
|
10 Mile
|
June
|
10k
|
June
|
8k
|
April
|
5k
|
April
|
No fall PRs for me for race distances that I've run multiple times. It's likely due to the hot, muggy miserable training conditions we get in the summer. They don't help me build as much strength and stamina.
Since October, I have pretty much always trained with a jacket on and have not trained with shorts. I also haven't run in 50 plus temps in a similar amount of time. I have been training in the 8:00 to 9:00 minute mile range for most of the winter and it has been an effort to run one of those training miles in the 7:00 to 8:00/mile range.
But on my second short run yesterday, I ran in 55 degree temps. My first mile, I ran super easy, and I thought it was slow. However, when I glanced down at my Garmin I had run it in 7:36! I was not even breathing hard! I ran the second mile in the easiest 6:42/mile I can remember. The effort felt like an 8:00/mile. I don't even need this speed for my marathon next weekend, but it is there now, thanks to my winter trained muscles/lungs combined with the mild spring temps.
This a.m. was one of my last lakefront runs before my marathon. Temps were cold, so I ran it slower than last night. It was another perfect windy + cold morning for strength building.
 |
| Enjoying a final skyline view before my marathon |
I am thinking about calling it quits with running next Wednesday to give myself four days of recovery before the marathon. I may add a swim and a stationary bike to get my muscles loose and to heal up any lingering injuries as much as possible. We will see how my taper plays out!
Good luck to all of the Shamrock Shufflers this weekend. I may go down and spectate.
Wow, that is very interesting that all of your PRs have been set in the spring! I never made the correlation until now on how summertime training can wear you down for the fall, but I would completely agree. Yay for running paces that feel much easier than the results!
ReplyDeleteI'm off work today so I'm actually considering going to the Shamrock expo, even though I'm not running it...
Yeah, I am looking forward to running the Chicago Marathon in the fall, but not the training in the summer. Have fun at the Shamrock expo, maybe you'll get some cool stuff.
DeleteI agree--training in the summer is awful and cooler temperatures make running so much easier. It looks like you're really able to get the most out of your winter runs. Good luck with the rest of your taper!
ReplyDeleteYes, I have to get up really early in the summer to try and beat the hot temps, and getting up early is not too easy! :-)
DeleteI agree totally! The cold air hurts my hungs as well!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that the cold air hurts your lungs. It doesn't bother mine, but I've heard that it is bad for some people.
DeleteWell, I bet you can guess I will relate to the PRs, being a fellow cold weather lover!!! :) Nice job on the speedy miles. I am super excited your race is so soon, and hope that you guys have nicer weather this year! :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I thought you might relate to this post, I'm glad there is a fellow cold weather lover! Thanks for the kudos, and yes, I am always excited when a marathon is near. I am also crossing my fingers for nicer (i.e. cooler weather this year)!
DeleteThat is interesting, I would think that by training in the heat, you would be speedier once it cools off. But, I agree, training in the cold can also be really difficult, and these milder temps feel much easier to run in! Either way, I'm just glad winter seems to finally be on it's way out.
ReplyDeleteYes, I guess some people are the opposite, that they go faster once it cools off, but I think the cold weather training suits me better. I hope it is about 45 degrees on race day, then winter can officially leave! :-)
DeleteI like your positive spin on cold weather training. All the layers, extreme cold, freaking crazy wind, snow really create a ton of resistance for us which makes us much stronger come more agreeable spring conditions. I think my current PRs are more June-November right now. But this year I'm already happy I was battling the wind and layers all winter long because I feel so much stronger!
ReplyDeleteI think your taper plan sounds perfect. You will be super fresh to tackle the scared route of Hopkinton to Boston a week from Monday.
I'll be at the shamrock gunning for a PR. Hehe
Good luck at the Shamrock! I am sure you will do awesome, especially if we have more mild temps and it is less windy! Thanks for the reinforcement on my taper plan idea. I think that the final taper week with more rest days suit me better than one where I am running everyday.
DeleteThanks for the post--I've had the opposite response to the seasons--running in the heat and humidity all summer (and running more in general because of the extra time and daylight) leads me to faster races in the fall. Good luck with your taper and race!
ReplyDelete