Week of November 1st, 2021

***

Monday, November 1st, 2021:

I went out for a longer one in the cold evening. I wanted to feel the cold, experience the coming winter. It felt nice and fresh outside, but tired legs dictated that I go mid-length rather than truly long. I arranged an agreement with myself that I'd be "allowed" to run only 10 miles rather than 14 or 15, provided I supplemented my run with a little bit of strength work later. 

At my home gym, I did heavy dumbbell overhead presses and ab-wheel planks. (Holding a slightly elevated narrow plank, with the goal of strengthening my abs enough to use the ab-wheel torture device more effectively. 😉)

I use a paper running training logbook that includes a monthly "inspirational thought," which is a pagelong training-related writeup. When I turned the page to the new month to log my run, I saw that the tidbit of wisdom on the page commended me on what I'd decided to do by trimming a bit of mileage in favor of some strength work...

This month's inspiration, by Marty Jerome. (Runner's Day-By-Day Log, 2021).

Essentially, in this season of shortened light, allow shorter mileage for yourself. But don't neglect those strength and flexibility exercises that will help keep the core strong and the spirit positive, so that you can jump into the spring with a literal spring in your step.

***

Wednesday, November 3rd, 2021:

At this time of year, it's time for a little metaphorical tightening of the belt (which will hopefully lead to literal tightening of the belt). I usually try my best to limit my calorie intake for a few weeks before the holidays. Then I can relax a little more near the end of the year, knowing I will be in a position that I can indulge a little more.

It's a tough thing for most of us - trying to restrict our calories at a time when our mileage might be limited by early-fading daylight, and comfort is found in the warm kitchen, baking with our families.

But I intend to counter all the baking and goodies with: first, moderation, and second, lots of greens, daily salads 🥗 of many colors, to help fullness and limit cravings.

Nonetheless, it is still a difficult thing, and I feel that I'm around 5 to 10 lbs too heavy at the moment. I still feel like I've made progress over the last year - I think my underlying muscle levels have increased, helping me feel a little slimmer/fitter at a slightly higher weight. But I have to trim down a little to get all that muscle to really show.

Time for taking all the tricks out of the bag - eating slowly, waiting 15-20 minutes before any second helpings, and lots of extra water!

Today's home workout was an early morning bike ride in my gym. I just wanted to get my metabolism up a little for the day. I told myself I only "had" to do 30 minutes if I didn't feel like continuing after that time. But when 30 minutes rolled around, I still felt pretty good and ended up doing the full 1 hour.

A quick note about overall yearly mileage. I surpassed 1500 miles for the year at the end of October, making my goal of 1700 miles for the year well within reach for me. That means only 100 miles a month for the next two months, or about 25 miles a week. I'd say that is within my "comfortable" mileage zone.

I'm already thinking ahead to next year that I will likely reduce my yearly mileage goal to 1200 miles for next year, and anything above that would just be bonus. Or, rather than having a yearly goal, I'd rather just aim for 100 miles per month as a minimum, because it will set a mileage floor for the winter (which I'll hopefully exceed easily in the summer months.)

***

Thursday, November 4th, 2021:

This was a trail loop day at Palmer. I minimized the road running, and got 7.5 miles with 1100 feet.

I got to see the alpenglow on Pikes just as I started my loop, and got to see wispy clouds above all the unique formations as I completed my loop. I generally ran on the trails that border the park, in a clockwise direction. 

***

Saturday, November 6th, 2021:

Today's early morning jog was beautiful. I got out early enough that all the stars were still out. I love seeing the night sky in the early morning. Gradually, I saw the dawning of twilight, which seems to happen so slowly at this time of year. Then the lovely morning alpenglow on Pikes Peak.

Today, I set out with the goal of 10 miles, and got almost 12 instead, with 1350 feet. Most surfaces were road, dirt road, and sidewalk this time.

***

Sunday, November 7th, 2021:

A rest day, as I'm planning on a big one tomorrow. I haven't been to the mountains for over two weeks now, so it's time to get another long one in while the weather is still so unseasonably warm!