Is it spring yet? Winter running update…

Yesterday’s run was warm enough to wear shorts and a singlet! 70 degrees at noon. It was beautiful, but I got hot! And the bugs are already out. It’s way too early to be shooing flies. I’m sure we will have a couple more winter revivals before Virginia decides it’s actually spring. She’s fickle like that.

I can’t recall a winter training season with as many snow runs as I’ve done this year! I kind of enjoy running in the snow, although these are done from home, and there was way more traffic than I anticipated for these runs. But running in these conditions automatically makes you way more badass than running in fair weather!

This winter has been super weird just because there are no winter running groups going because of the pandemic. I will run with a small group of a few fellow coaches and friends, and sometimes with my best friend, but for the most part, my runs have been solo. It’s been a bit lonely. That’s saying a lot for an introvert!

My typical maintenance plan for running is 3 runs per week with cross training. I will run 3, 3, and 6 miles, keeping this up until it’s time to ramp up mileage for a race. Since 2014, I’ve run at least one spring half and a fall full marathon every year. This year, I’m running two spring half marathons, one of which is this weekend.

Changes to the plan this year included a running streak from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day. I was really hoping to incorporate more cross training this “off” season, but with Covid spiking in December and January, I have avoided the gym, even though I’m now fully vaccinated. The shift to focus more on running made since then. But despite staying active all through the past year, I’ve managed to put on way too much weight. None of my clothes fit! Can anyone else relate?

The other event that kept me focused on running just wrapped up: the Desert Storm 218 Miler in the Marine Corps Marathon series of events. With my friends Patty and Denice, we ran this mileage as a team from the middle of January to the end of February. It definitely kept me motivated, and I ended up doing 2, 10 mile runs on successive weekends to help add to our total, as well as to prepare for this half marathon.

I had a decent 8 mile run this past Sunday, and I’m as ready as I’m going to be for the Sports Backers Half Marathon! This follows a similar format to their fall modified races, running along the Capital Trail from Dorey Park in Henrico County. The course is open from Friday to Sunday, and since I’m working Saturday, I’m running Sunday. Thanks to Christmas money, I have brand new Hokas that I have now broken in for my spring races! The weather forecast looks good, with clear skies and low 50’s. Wish me luck! I’ll have a race recap next week.

If you are a runner, how has your training been going over the winter? Are you preparing for a race, even if it’s a virtual one? Have you been going to the gym? Have you had any sneak peeks at spring weather yet? I’d love to hear about it! As always, I hope you all are safe and healthy.