Morning vs. Afternoon. What works for you?

I have a busy day ahead so this morning I got out the door earlier than usual. When the weather is warm I like to get my run done early in the day before the temperatures climb. However, winter weather, wind, and lack of daylight are deterrents and I have found that my “wait until later in the day” practice is undermining my good intentions. I often have to abort the run because other needs, wants, and obstacles occur. I determined that today would not be one of those days. 

My morning run was short – again, I was on a tight schedule. It was good, though, to get out, get moving, and get it over with! Surprisingly, I had a brief break in that tight schedule. It wasn’t long enough to have allowed me to work in a run, but because the run was already completed, I have a few minutes to blog about it and share this cool picture of the sunrise, cloudy sky, and green blades of wheat rising to greet me. 

What works best for you? Are you an early riser with most of your productivity happening before breakfast? Do you take your time waking up and find afternoons the most productive part of your day? Are you still striving to find the secret to productivity? Don’t worry – a lot of us are in the same boat. Keep trying. Perhaps you need to look at the road behind to see how far you have come.

Happy Running!

Carol - aka Running Granny Green

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The Hard Run: A sneak peek

Here is another sneak peek from my next book, The Hard Run: Painful Lessons from a Running Granny.  This excerpt is taken from "The Rolling Hills Lesson."

Rural Running

My rural running routes present a lot of variety.  At first glance one might think I only have farmers’ fields to view while logging miles.  However, within a four mile grid I can encounter a number of crops, both low growing and taller than an elephant, paved roads and dirt ditch banks, winding canals and a rushing river, steep inclines and rolling hills, and livestock and wildlife including horses, pigs, egrets, snakes, blue herons, and the occasional white pelican.  I could go on about the draft horses, cattle, geese, and skunks, but that is a discussion for another time.  It is the hills that I wish to expound upon here. 

When I encounter a short steep hill, I remind myself that it will be difficult, but only for a short time.  Most often, a short steep uphill is followed by an immediate and equal downhill. This knowledge helps me tackle the challenge.  Not only do I know that the incline will not last for long, but that my lungs will be rewarded with a rest as I allow gravity to work in my favor on the approaching downhill length.  That short reprieve is often enough to strengthen my resolve to tackle the next rolling hill.  It is definitely helpful to my physical ability to take on another hill.

What did I learn from the Rolling Hills Lesson?

During times of adversity, it is important to observe the joyful moments for they will help us through our trials. If we look for them we can find those moments.

My home in the Treasure Valley of Southwest Idaho is a beautiful place.  We have some of the most colorful sunsets ever witnessed and they occur regularly.  Unfortunately, we have another phenomenon that also happens regularly.  Many winters the valley experiences a weather inversion. These inversions occur when cold air is trapped below warmer air.  They can last for weeks on end.  No matter how blue the skies or how warm the temperatures are above the inversion the cold air remains in the valley creating a smog-like atmosphere that the sun does not burn through.  For many, the weeks on end of cold gloomy weather wreak havoc on emotional health and even present physical challenges for those with respiratory concerns.  There are, however, some moments of reprieve if one takes notice. 

Hoar frost during a cold weather inversion.

Hoar frost is a heavy buildup of ice or frost crystals that seem to grow daily upon trees, shrubs, fences, and grass during a weather inversion.  Although this hoar frost is a result of adverse conditions in the atmosphere, it paints a beautiful white landscape.  The lack of air movement during the inversion allows these frost crystals to stay in place until they become so heavy they begin to fall to the ground in a mock snowstorm.

A change in the weather is the only hope of moving an inversion out of the valley.  Thus, the wind that is so often a springtime nemesis becomes a welcome guest.  Snow and rain in all their wetness and inconvenience are also gratefully received as they clear the air and promise blue skies upon their departure.

A drive upward and outward of the valley can give the sufferer hope as she reacquaints herself with sunshine and blue skies.  When viewing an inversion from above, it appears fluffy and bright white, inviting enough for the onlooker to imagine diving into a sea of fresh cloudy foam. Winter inversions are one reason I snow ski.

Do not suppose that a mournful heart and a downtrodden disposition is the only way to get through life’s trials.  Look for happiness and humor along the way. Those things will bring a reprieve from the physical and mental exertion and will help bring you through challenge.

Have you found joy or humor in a difficult situation?  I would love to hear about it.

You can pre-order The Hard Run: Painful Lessons from a Running Granny for a discount now in my Etsy shop.  It will be released in January 2015.

 

 

Happy Running!

 

 

Perfect Moments

Every once in a while you find a perfect moment ...

What a beautiful evening for a run!  I keep praying for precipitation because it is dearly needed, but I do so love a run in the sun.  I’ve been grumbling all week about Daylight Savings Time because it has messed up my mornings, but it certainly helped make this evening great.  I thought my day was too full to work in a run, but even after feeding my hubby his supper and getting him out the door for a meeting it was still nice and warm with enough daylight left to hit the pavement and log a few miles. Some cool things happened …

I was able to run in a short sleeved shirt.  Love that.

I ran upon a friend who was out for a walk.  I abandoned the run and enjoyed her company for about a mile.

After the walk, I felt like I needed to make up some time so the next mile and half turned into speed work.  It just happened.

I arrived home and decided that the night was young and warm and I had time to run farther, so off I trotted for an easy mile cool down.

I am looking forward to some balmy running weather.  I am a realist, however, and know that mixed amongst those balmy runs are rain and wind and hail and more wind! For today, though, the weather was perfect!

I am grateful for moments of perfection.

Question: Have you had a moment of perfection lately?

Happy Running!

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Runner’s Greetings

Music in my ears!

I went for a run today all by myself. I do that often this time of year, mostly because I can’t commit to a time frame. I am too busy waiting for the weather to improve or my courage to build. When I run alone, I use music to keep me company. When I run with friends, they keep me company. There is too much chatting to be bothered with music.

I am a rural runner and therefore I don’t encounter too many others afoot. A few autos passing by get a nod or a wave, but for the most part it is usually a solitary run. On the occasion that I do see another individual out and about there is always a friendly exchange. At least, I think it is friendly. My music muddies the waters a little. The exchange goes something like this:

The passerby smiles, waves and moves his lips.

I reply, “Yes, it is nice to finally see some sun,” or “Thanks! I will,” or some other comment that may or may not have anything to do with what they said to me. 

I pondered this while on my run today, mostly because it happened today. When the fellow with the white beard made a comment I replied with, “Yes, it’s great to see the sun,” and then wondered if he had asked me how far I was going or if I was crazy. (The crazy question comes up a lot!) I came up with a solution to my communication problem. It’s kind of like being prepared for unexpected company – but different. Whenever I meet another walker, runner, or farmer that slows down to chat, I am going to smile, wave, and say … “Great day for a run!” How can they argue with that?

Question:  Do you have a generic comment you use when you didn't really hear or weren't really paying attention?  Share it in the comments below.


Running Granny Green encourages women, especially grandmothers, to gain greater fitness by providing tips and inspiration to insure long years of joyful grand-parenting. The cookie recipes are a bonus!

Happy Running!

Carol - aka Running Granny Green

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Will's Hill tempo run

Today’s workout was supposed to be a Tempo Run.  I’ve complained about those before.  My Smart Coach training plan said, “Tempo run including warm up, three miles at 10:06, cool down.” That adds up to 5 miles. Since I had an awesome race on Saturday at the Old Fort Boise Fun Run, I thought, “Forget about the tempo.  I did speed work on Saturday.  I will just do an easy hill workout on Will’s Hill.”  Right.

Will’s Hill is a 5 mile out and back.  Out - into a head wind.  Back – downhill most of the way! If you can do the first 2.5 miles, the next 2.5 are rewarding.  Here is how I fared.

Mile 1  – 11:00 minutes.  I was sticking with the “easy hill workout.”

Mile 2.5 – 26:23 minutes.  I had picked up the pace, uphill with a headwind no less!

Mile 4 – 40:10 minutes. That downhill-wind-at-your-back stuff is pretty nice!

Mile 5 – 50:36 minutes.  That’s a 10:07/mile average!  Five miles at 10:07 is better than three miles at 10:06 in my book. That’s pretty good for this old granny!

What have I learned?

·         Training plans really can help improve your speed.

·         If I wear a watch (and start it), I push harder.

·         My first mile is always slow.

Visit Runner’s World and try out a Smart Coach plan for yourself.  You may be glad you did!

The Lonely Run

It seems I’ve been training for a half marathon all year!  Actually, I began in March and hit a road block about the time I was due to run my first six-miler.  After recuperating from a couple of setbacks, I began again and reached the six-mile long run last weekend.  I had recruited a running buddy because long runs can get pretty lonely.  Unfortunately, there is a strange phenomenon surrounding the six-mile run.  Running buddies tend to disappear for six-milers.  I think I know the reasons.  It isn’t because they are wimping out (well maybe) rather they have reasons not to run six miles.

#1 – They are not training for a half, so six miles is just a random run.  It is not their goal.

#2 – Unless you can run a six minute mile (Most of us can’t) it takes a while to run six miles. Sometimes a long run just doesn’t work into your day.

#3 – Recovery.  Six miles takes more out of a body than three, or four, or even five.

This time my running buddy had something else come up and she had to cancel.  That happens, too.

That’s why I found myself alone on the road with only the voices of Alan Jackson, Sarah Brightman, Roger Miller, The Beatles, David Essex, and George Jones, to name a few.  I have an eclectic taste in running music!  I chose a route I had not traveled for many moons.  Long runs are typically done at an easy pace.  Their purpose is to build strength and endurance. I think they also have a purpose for building patience – something I need to work on.

Blooming Russian Olive Tree

 I started slow.  At 1.5 miles I was still slow and tried to pick up the pace a bit. Somewhere around mile three I got lost in my thoughts.  This was strange because somewhere around mile three I realized I had a 2 mile stretch that was bordered by blooming Russian Olive trees!  Like this one.

This was a problem because those innocuous yellow blossoms have a sickening sweet aroma that wreaks havoc on my head!  I dislike blooming Russian Olives with a passion, which is unfortunate because I am trying to bridle my passions! I thought, perhaps, this 2 mile stretch would be my undoing, but I just kept moving.  I ignored the trees and focused on … I don’t remember.  I think I let my mind wander, enjoying the assorted tunes bouncing in my ears and wondering what the uphill mile at the end of the run was going to feel like.

It felt fine.  In fact, it almost felt good!  The best part was the time on my watch at the end of the run.  It was the fastest I had ever covered six miles – 10K races included!  The slow start, the Russian olives, and the uphill mile at the end, were all a part of my lonely run and they combined for success.  I was satisfied with a sense of accomplishment afterwards, yet I had no buddy to whom I could brag, but then, if I had done the run with a buddy my time would have been slower because I would surely have been chatting along the way.

Innocuous Yellow Blossoms

Injuries! Ugh!

 

I try to be patient.  I really do!  It isn’t something that I was blessed with.  All of the patience I ever exercise requires effort.  That’s why I struggle when exercising requires patience!  Last week it was my back.  This week it’s a knee.  It is hampering my half marathon training and I’m beginning to worry that I may have to reschedule.  I don’t want to do that!  Last time I rescheduled until the half marathon available was this one! I would rather opt for a road race this time. 

Fortunately, the weather is nice enough to bike (easier on the knees), so today I donned my biker gal gear,

 

, grabbed my buddy Julie, and we hit the road.  I couldn’t believe how green the pastures are already!  We saw lots of black beef calves, some kind of brown geese, and water in the ditch.  Ah, life in the country!

 

 

It wasn’t the six mile run I needed to do, but it was good to enjoy the scenery, hang with my friend, break in the bike muscles.  The bike seat, however, I could do without!

 

 

Snow!

Finally, a snowstorm!

Finally!  I have been waiting for a snowstorm.  Not because I was so anxious to run in one, but I wanted it to warm up enough to snow so that I could stand to run outside.  I am not an indoor runner.  Give me the open road, passing cars to dodge, and an occasional barking dog to avoid and I am a happy runner. I have also been waiting for two years to try out my Yaktrax, a Christmas gift from my youngest son.

Yaktrax

It wasn't a long run, and I am sure it wasn't pretty, but it was a run none the less. (Is that supposed to be one word?)

Lucky running socks

I donned my new lucky running socks (a Christmas gift from my good buddy, Paulee), double layers on my legs and torso, headband, gloves, running tunes, hooded sweatshirt, running shoes (still sporting jingle bells from Bust Your Bells Fun Run), my Yaktrax, and off I ran!
Snowflakes stayed on my nose and eyelashes.  The Yaktrax were very effective on loose and packed snow - not so good on ice.  Who needs to run on ice, anyway?

Yaktrax Tracks

Running into Nelsons

I seldom frequent running stores.  Not because I don’t like them – I love running stores.  I just don’t venture into the kind of metropolis where running stores are found very often.  I am a rural runner.  It was unusual then that I found myself entering a running store for the third time in one day.  On the first visit I collected a race clock and race prizes from Shu’s Idaho Running Co. for use at the OFB Parma 5K FunRun. The second and third visits found me inside Bandanna Running and Walking attempting to collect more race prizes. (The first visit to Bandanna was fruitless as the prizes were not yet ready for pick-up.)

As I entered the store I had a vague sense of familiarity.  This could have been due to my recent visit just over one hour previously, or because my eyes had been dilated in the interim and everything appeared a bit run together. Whatever the reason, I thought the back of the head of the man standing fifteen feet in front of me was somewhat recognizable.  As he turned to casually observe the newcomer (Me) to the store, I identified my cousin.  I waved and headed in his direction presently recognizing the fair haired lady standing near him as my cousin’s (Not the same cousin) wife.  Recognition lit her face just before I started to chastise – not because she was with the wrong husband (she wasn’t), rather because she was in the area without notifying me. You see, she lives seven hours away.  At this time the second cousin (her husband) peered from behind the first cousin.

We exchanged a few friendly words and more chastising to which Cousin’s Wife replied, “Well, we’re not really here.”  Huh? They weren’t really here because they were heading out of town to the Sawtooth Relays.  I let them off the hook – just a bit.  We had a short running discussion that included the usual content such as, “What races are you running?  Did you buy new shoes?  GU or Powerbar Gel?  What is your best time?  We should run together sometime…”  Then we were off about our business – Cousins to the Sawtooth Relays and I to the Old Fort Boise Days 5K.

 Yeah, we may never run together, but we are likely to run INTO one another!