12/04/2010 (5.9 miles, 11.39 pace)

I overshot my 5.5 mile run by a little, but was pretty close to target.

The pace was a little under target, but I spent the first quarter mile walking with hubby and our black lab, Sam.

Well...walking with them, stopping to pick up poo with them....waiting for hubby to get back from the garbage can, etc. :-)

Because of the temp, the first half of the out and back run was a tad bit chilly. I usually use a Buff to keep my nose and face warm. By the time I got to the 3 mile turn around point, the Buff was frozen solid from my exhalations. So a frozen cloth on my face wasn't really effectively keeping it warm. (giggle)

I did, however, have more than just my BondiBand for my ears on this run...and I'm very glad! My aunt gave me a fleece headband (that has a hole for my ponytail)...and it was the perfect amount of warmth!!!!! :-)

I saw one or two other runners, and a couple of people out walking their dogs, but besides that had the trail totally to myself.

And, because my home computer has died a horrible death recently (all of my pictures are probably gone forever and ever)....I didn't have a way to put any tunes or audio books onto my phone.....so it was just me and the sound of my breath.

Which, as most of you probably know, is what I'm used to anyway. Unless I'm running a trail, in the daylight....I never listen to anything while out running. Safety first and all.

But I did notice that having something to listen to while running my longer runs on those trails is quite nice. I should be careful, or I'll get spoiled and find myself missing it when I can't have it. :-)

Legs felt great after the run, but during I was feeling a little tiny itsy bitsy pain in my right shin. It wasn't anything that made me slow down or walk....but it really had me paying close attention. I guess that's how you have to do it.....take it easy, listen carefully, etc, etc.

I'm gradually trying out different nutrition and hydration products on these longer runs. Today I tried the Extreme (added caffeine) Watermelon flavored Sports Beans. I picked them up at the running store in St. Louis over the holiday long weekend. They tasted great, didn't stick to my teeth, and are smaller pieces (I love the Shot Bloks, but they are a little too big per serving and do tend to stick to my teeth quite a bit more.)

OH, and who was it that was looking for the Margarita flavored Shot Bloks? I bought a package of them as well...but haven't tried them yet. Fleet Feet has them, if there's one near you. :-)

Run Specifics
5.9 miles (out and back, flat trail)

Mile 1 - 13:01 (spent part of it walking with hubs and puppy)
Mile 2 - 11:52
Mile 3 - 12:25 (stopped long enough to call hubby to tell him I was turning around)
Mile 4 - 11:13
Mile 5 - 11:18
Mile 6 - 9:55 (only one walk break that last mile - pushed it through to the end - felt great!!)

Temp: 24 degrees with a "feels like" of 10 degrees
Wind: Out of the North at 20 mph, and 30 mph gusts.

Gear: Running jacket, wicking ls shirt, wicking tt under that, lightweight running tights, Smartwool socks, shoes, glove liners (need something more!), headband for ears, BondiBand, frozen Buff (hehehehe), hydration belt with Gatorade (out of my usual drink)