Piling it on (and more snow!), Week of 2-16 to 2-22

So guess what?  Looks like we're on target here in CT for the coldest February in recorded weather history, at somewhere around a 16 degree average?  What the???  Oh, and then there's the snow.  It just keeps piling up, without any above freezing temps to melt any of it.  Matter of fact, it's snowing as I'm writing this on Tuesday morning.  I'm sure as heck not planning on signing up for any races in the next few weeks!  I've been able to get out for some outdoor runs, and have supplemented them with a couple of treadmill runs, my last resort (although I'm getting less anti-treadmill the last few weeks...).  I also have an appointment Tuesday for my first ever PT session for my left knee, will see how that goes...

Monday, 2-16 - 9 Miles (7 Treadmill/2 Road) - Bone-chilling Presidents' Day, with wind chill factors well below zero.  I opted to get set up in the "sweatbox" exercise room, put on a movie on the iPad, and threw on the wireless headphones.  Easy progression run, and the 7 miles went by faster with the distraction.  As cold as it was outside, the dog thought we were going for a run when I got geared up and looked rather upset.  I changed up (again) after the treadmill run and braved the frigid temps with him, and got 2 snow-covered road miles.  The wind had died down some, so it was still really cold but manageable.

Tuesday, 2-17 - 0 Miles.  Saw a Physical Therapist for the first time - she had me flex my knee this way and that, and gently dug into the tendons to find out where my discomfort was coming from...meniscus it is, with more PT scheduled, along with a prescribed regimen of stretching exercises and foam rolling.  We'll see how it goes!

Wednesday, 2-18 - 7 Miles (Beach/Road) - Watch Hill run with Napatree Point beach run.  I really love this place...

Had the entire beach to myself today - no wind, 30 degrees and perfect :)

Thursday, 2-19 - 2.6 Miles (Trail) - Champlin Glacier Park.  2.6 miles of snow-covered trails.  Cold and breezy day, and I was looking to get into the woods for a few miles.  The main trails were packed down a bit by snowshoe tracks, but a couple of the trails weren't, and it was a tough slog punching through the crusty and deep snow.  Why, you ask?  Because it's awesome in the woods.  Tough to run in?  You bet.  But totally worth it!

Friday, 2-20 - 7 Miles (Treadmill/Road) - 5.5 mile treadmill run, 1.5 mile dog jog.  Flippin' cold out!  Couldn't bring myself to run in minus whatever wind chills today, so I grabbed the iPad, wireless headphones, picked out a movie to zone out on (Frankenstein!) and hit the treadmill.  Steady pace, and ran 400's at race pace (6:30 avg.) for the last two miles, alternating with a 400m jog between each.  Later, the wind had died down some so I took Henry for a run.  Good time but still cold and breezy, but glad we got out!  

Saturday, 2-21 - 2.5 Miles - (Road) - Late afternoon dog jog with Henry.

Sunday, 2-22 - 9+ Miles (Road/Beach) - Watch Hill beaches and roads w/Gazelle, and slushy dog jog w/Henry.  Met up with Jeff in Watch Hill for a beach run.  Sunny skies and 35 degrees was awesome!  This was the day that finally felt like Spring was on its way.  Lots of people getting outside too, another good sign.  Did the out and back Napatree Point run, then took the trail next to Taylor's place down to the oceanside beach and ran that for a bit, before finishing up on uncrowded side streets.  Great run!

Watch Hill harbor