Broken Record

I nearly took off for the trails today with the intention to repeat the same workout as the past two days.  However, I know from past experience that I could be treading on dangerous "ice", so to speak, by trying too much too soon.  Even though I had been getting in this kind of mileage in weeks past, the recent cut-back and change in intensity was setting me up to over-do it.  

So unlike the me of the past, that would likely have pushed through another 10 mile run because yesterday's went so well, I backed off and did more walking today, mixed with some good runs.  Sure enough, I was plenty tired by the end and could easily have hurt myself if I'd attempted another hard 10 miler.

And speaking of lessons learned, I read some good advice from a cross-post by friend George Zack, directed to master's runners.

8 miles total of run/walk

What a Great Day

I used the screw shoes at Lime Creek again today and probably could have gone out on snowshoes. For whatever reason, perhaps last week's forced reduction of miles or maybe the increase of pavement while in Chicago, the running went very, very well today. I was able to run steadily today and didn't stop for photos or find it necessary to take walk breaks.  I'm sure I could have run even further but headed home because of Valentine's Day and plans for a late lunch and a movie!

10 miles, continuous running and good pace considering the unstable footing with snow on ice yet today.

Screw Shoes

It was exciting to see fresh snow falling today but it wasn't enough to consider snowshoes, yet.  

Fresh snow falling but not more than an inch yet

Ice layer shows through the snow

Knowing that there was a lot of ice on the trail, and the prospect of slipping due to the fresh snow layer, I opted for modifying an old pair of shoes to "screw shoes". Screw shoes are something I learned about through my association with Colorado's Incline Club and are a very inexpensive way to gain some traction without microspikes or commercial ice cleats.

Turned out to have been the right decision because there was some serious ice under there and, in fact, even the deer were slipping on the trail!

white-tailed deer prints shows some serious slippage

But it was quite pleasant to be back to the woods and put in longer effort that included some of the back trails.  Caught up on some podcasts and kept up with more running than walking.

10 miles

Catching Up With the Photos

Back home.  Nice to be here...I realized during the drive back that some people (and I'm one) seem to do better when they can stick to their routine.  Chicago has some great things to see and do...but I wouldn't want to live there.

So I'll try to post several photos of random stuff that I referred to in previous posts rather than go back and repost.

Too Much Pavement

Feb. 5 .... strobe-light effect from fence

Tues. Feb. 7....abandoned railway

Wed. Feb. 8...Humboldt Park...Breathe Oxygen!

Thursday Feb. 9...Lakeshore Drive

River Otter at Lincoln Park Zoo (last week... Lime Creek's wild otters were eating fish)

Wolves at Lincoln Park Zoo

Old time corner bar features traditional beer

billboard at a construction site that summarizes how I felt during the entire trip

approx. total miles for my day on the 9th

anxious Buck looking out condo window and wanting another walk

With the drive home, and stop for lunch at Vinnie Vanouchi's in Galena, and the stop to visit my Mom in Onslow, I did not get out for any mileage today.  So with a week where I was sort-of out-of sorts, I did gain some additional toughness for the legs and a desire to get back on track trail running next week.

0 miles today but 41 for the week

Oh and last but not least, I scored some more brew that I can't get in Iowa!

Flying Dog's Double Dog and Three Floyd's Zombie Dust

Don't Even Try To Buy Spray Paint in Chicago!

I wanted to help Cory out with some projects before we head back home to Iowa. I intended to spray a piece of trim for the base of a fireplace only to be laughed at by the sales attendant at a nearby Kmart. He said, "This is Chicago, if you want spray paint, you need to drive out to the suburbs!". Apparently, it's been against city ordinance to sell or even use spray paint in downtown Chicago since 1995. I guess an electrician or professional painter can get some if they're over 18 years old. I ended up buying some acrylic paint and used a brush.

I got out a couple times for a workout and then some additional dedicated walking.

7 miles total on the day

Lake Effect Snow

The TV News has been promising the potential for snow this weekend. I got out earlier this morning while temperatures were still mild and sidewalks perfectly clear. Good thing...because the wind picked up and snow began to fly by mid-afternoon. It was a bit more difficult to negotiate the streets when I headed out for a quick errand at 4:30 PM.

It's interesting to see what a difference the large body of water to the east can have on the local weather. I understand that it was a bit colder than here back in MC today...I can only hope that there will be enough snow in Iowa for me to get out again on the snowshoes once we get back.

5 miles today

Going for Distance...Lakeshore Drive

I wanted to get a longer run in today so challenged myself to get to the paths along the lakeshore. This challenge was with full knowledge that a majority of the run was going to be pavement.

The additional torture along the route I chose was the wonderful aroma of fresh-brewed coffee each time I passed a Starbucks...there must be one every two blocks! I also noticed that regardless of the rather chilly ambient temperature, there was added warmth from underground when running past many of the open grates within a few blocks of downtown.

The lakeshore was beautiful today as the sun was shining and there were few other bikers or runners at the time I was out. I lost track of how far I was going or what pace I was keeping and ended up running through the Lincoln Park Zoo. What a treat to see a River Otter performing water acrobatics and Wolves pacing around their wooded enclosure!

I eventually made my back to Cory's neighborhood, but not before getting in more than 10 miles of mostly running amongst brief stops for photos. My knees could really feel it by the time I got back to the condo.

I took Buck out after lunch for his walk and my recovery...most likely an additional 3 miles for a 13 mile day. And my legs can testify to the work I'm subjecting them to...

Again, I'll post some photos once we get home to Mason City.