The Great Chub-off!

So I missed posting my last run this week so figured I’d better get back to it. Today I went out and took a different route, not knowing exactly how far it would be or what it would be like. It ended up being a 4-mile, really hilly run.

Despite not being used to hills I’m really liking the workout they give my legs. This run felt great overall, although it could have been a bit warmer. Hoping to start getting some longer runs in on the weekends, gunning for a 6+ miler either Saturday or Sunday.

This was my first run since Christmas Eve, and really my first real run in Nashville since moving here. Since I’m not “super” familiar with the area yet I went ahead and just ran the route I take to work every morning for a total of 3.3 miles.

I’m not all that used to hills so this run was a bit different – especially since it is almost totally uphill (to some extent) on the way out and almost totally downhill on the way back in – but I definitely enjoyed it. My pace was great so I was really happy with that.

Can you tell I forgot my iPod and am having to use my dad’s yet? Today marked the first time that I have done any sort of speed work in probably 2 years. It took me a bit to understand what was the “right” speed (see variance in my times above) but overall felt really good.

One problem? Like a knucklehead I left my shoes out in the rain last night so they were a bit wet. Oh well, glad to get to a point where I feel like some speed work is actually beneficial. Now it’s time to go counteract all this running with way too much Christmas food (and maybe drink).

A cold front came through since my last run so today was pretty chilly – somewhere between 36-40 degrees. Usually my lungs/chest hurt pretty bad after colder runs but today wasn’t too bad, oddly enough my knees hurt more than anything after the run was over. Hoping that is attributable to the cold, not a problem with my knees.

Overall it was a great run, was pretty impressed with my ability to keep what I think was a pretty steady pace from start to finish. Need to find another place to run here in Brenham though, the 1-mile loops at the trail are getting pretty old…

I’m Matt and this is my first post here at the Running Man Blog. I have been a runner most of my life, but tend to go in on-again, off-again spurts. Currently I have been running pretty steadily for about 3 months.

Saturday’s run was great, I’m enjoying the difference in surface, as I am used to running primarily on road surfaces. It does present a challenge, especially during the uphill portions when the ground is loose, but I can feel it working my legs harder than most of my other runs.

Sunday will probably be without a run, but I’ll be back at it again on Monday, hoping to try and get in a slower but longer run then.