Gusty, not gutsy.
Upon further review, the prospect of running in “feels like -10*F” weather with consistent 45mph winds and gusts up to 80 mph launching sand and grit into my eyes early in the morning didn’t sound as ponies-and-rainbows-and-swans glorious as I originally imagined.
Granted, they are only gusts, but 80 mph winds are technically hurricane force. (I only know that because on top of my recent addiction to the sunrise/sunset section of timeanddate.com, the Beaufort scale has become similarly more interesting since I’ve moved here.)
In any case, I took Annie Crow‘s advice from the comments section, erred on the side of caution, and treadmilled instead. It was about as glorious as a treadmill run can get. Ā A few hours after the fact, my foot feels mildly whiny but overall adequate. We’ll see.
Ended up with 12 miles @ 1.5%+ incline in 1:32:19 (7:42ish pace). I played around with incline and paces and did three sets of lazy progressions. The miles skated by. Everything felt suspiciously fluid, light, easy, and not what I expected after taking two weeks off from running. Truthfully, it probably felt easy because I’d taken two weeks off from running.
Temperatures are due to dip into the negatives tomorrow, with a windchill up to -30*F and more of those riveting rocks-in-your-eyes gusts. No thanks. There are people in the world who are tough enough to gut out a run in those conditions, but I don’t think I’m one of them. Three cheers for the gym.
I have the feeling that running again will help me get some of my writing motivation back. Perhaps then I’ll be able to lay down a post that isn’t quite this banal…
Sweaty Kid. 
Woo-hoo for successful post-recovery runs!
My dear, -30 with 80 mph gusts are pretty much the only legit reason to stay indoors. People cry and moan when its 45* and sunny here; they need to head your way for a bitchslap of reality.
Glad you’re back in one form or another!
Make that four cheers for the gym. That is definitely treadmill weather.
Glad you had a great first run back! And 12 miles? Damn, woman.
You are a treadmill rockstar. 12 miles wow. Now I feel silly for complaining about 8km around a track! Glad you are back on the run!
You’re allowed to complain! I can’t stand the track.
This was your first run back?! 12 miles? Is AK sending you the crazy?
I say this having run 15 on a treadmill, so I do know how it can be done, but do make sure your footeuroma doesn’t bite you in the culo.
Geh, you’re right. It sounds foolhardy to me too, but the residual pain the rest of the day after a 12-miler seems to feel no different than that after a three-miler. That’s what I just can’t figure out. Short runs seem to have the same effect as long runs. Seems like it’s something biomechanical I just need to fix and manage…
Glad you’re back, but I’m going to give annoying advice and say be careful. 12 miles is a bunch for yourfirst run back. Okay, I’m done nagging.
Now for sympathy. I totally understand how yucky -30 windchill can be. I think we had 60 mph gusts during our big early Dec storm, and of course 80 mph sounds worse. There just comes a point where weather is too miserable even though I ( and my legs) prefer outdoors. So, yay for the gym š
Not annoying advice. Probably wise. I got carried away and felt entitled to a longer run after being such a good cross trainer!
who the heck runs 12 miles on their first day back?!? at a 7:42 pace?
i can’t be your friend anymore. that is just ludicrous.
BUt but but… Maybe I was taking fewer strides overall at a 7:42 pace than I would have at an 8:42 pace?!?! Reducing overall foot impact? Maybe?
constant 45 mph with 80 mph gusts?? that sounds terrifying. and to think i was bitching and moaning about 35 mph GUSTS during my long run on sunday…wah wah, i am a wimp lol. never again.
great job on the TM though, i don’t think i could run 12 TM miles at any point in time, 2 weeks off running nonwithstanding, but hey, if it felt good it felt good! can’t really argue with that š
Glad to hear it went well. “Mildly whiny but overall adequate” sounds like you can keep going.
Now I can stop complaining about our 90% humidity and constant rain.
Woah, you are seriously so badass. I don’t know which would be harder, 3 miles outside or 12 on the treadmill. Thanks for teaching me about the Beaufort scale-I learned something today!
I do believe 12 miles beats my treadmill PR. Glad you’re feeling better and hopefully that pain doesn’t get worse. 12 miles is a big comeback run!
Great news that you’re running again!
I’m another nagger though…be careful! I still have residual foot injury paranoia.
12 miles? as a comeback run? sounds like we’re two peas in a pod š
I’d take the -30 over 12 miles on a treadmill. Holy fuck that’s a long time on one of those contraptions.
Then again, I’m the asswipe who can’t get her butt of the couch at this very minute because the idea of falling all over the snowcovered, ankle twisting sidewalks at 10 minute pace (if I’m lucky) is too depressing, so I’m not the one to listen too. (I do dumb things, though the lowest windchill I’ve gone out in was -20, I think. )
Related: winter can bite my ass
Glad to hear you’re running again!
Nice job on the 12-miler! I love when runs feel smooth and (almost) effortless š
I’ve got to give you a whole bushel of credit for getting 12 miles in on a treadmill! Go you! Way to “get back on track”!
dang, what do you mean you don’t have internet right now?? that sucks girl, i feel for ya. hope it’s warming up over there too, a teadmill is no place to run 12 miles (even if you kicked ass.) hope you’re up and writing soon!
just found your blog today š I love your tone.
You talk about not taking your running very seriously, and how you’re not intense but you’re faster than some people I know who run for college teams. And anyone who handles the mileage you do isn’t playing around.
I’m impressed, keep it up. I want to read more!!!