February-Schmebruary- Month in Review

With a big weekend (37+, which to me is 38) I was able to pull out 200 miles this month.

Friday night I went out on an adventure on the backside of Howard's Knob and its associated ridge. Including a mile long ascent up a 30% crust and ice packed road bed in the Bob Timberlake Housing Development (seriously) I was able to hammer in 16 miles of brutally windy and f-ing (f-reezing) cold running. I even had a change of gloves for the return and still my hands were numb... it was a fast descent.

Saturday was more mild and I slogged through 12 miles of more hilly, more patient running before getting in another 9 on Sunday (with the deer).

The nine miler brought me to 200 for February... so I guess I pulled it out in the snowiest month I can remember running in in my years on the roads (as trails don't really EXIST right now...).

Tallies For My Allies (and leeway, I beg.)
Monthly Total- 200 miles
Weekly high- 60 miles (two times)
Longest Day- 16 miles

The overall impression has been of running hilly miles in brutal wind. Introducing a lot more speed work has been nice this month and has led to faster training paces as well. At least I am able to get more for my time in these nasty weather months. But I love it... really, I do.

As I type this, we have received an additional 3 inches of heavy wet snow. I had a nice hard hill run with Lil today, that dog made me chase the leash for 8 miles of tempo with surges at 5k effort or better... and now she is still running mad in the living room! I am barely able to read these words... can I make to watch 'LOST' tonight??? Somebody make a pot of coffee...