Winter dreaming?

Another 60 degree day in Rochester, NY. Incredible. Obviously I wasn't going to miss out on another beautiful night running in shorts and a long sleeved shirt in the end of January. I really want to make up a crazy story to tell you - like I out ran a cop and a dog all in a nights work. But that is not so. Quite the opposite. Tonight was just like any other normal run.

I had a great run tonight; just under 4 miles and under 8 minute mile pace. Solid. However, I felt like an old man (hint of the beer tonight!). I was super stiff and it didn't seem like I could loosen up. The first half mile was rough. Around mile 1 it seemed like I was going to be alright so I decided I would run a route that I haven't run since high school.

All was going well until around 2.5 miles. I then realized I was still hurting and my legs were real stiff. I probably should stretch more often. The problem here is, if I turned around I would have run further than had I just continued like I did. I sucked it up and I'm glad that I did. The run sort of reminded me of the good ole days of high school cross country. It sure as hell smelled like fall with the mud and the sweat (I wish there were leaves still on the ground).

It is such a buzz kill that tomorrow is supposed to be back in the 30s. I sure of could have gotten used to shorts again! But until then, I'll keep on trucking along and I might even stretch a bit. With that being said, time for some Southern Tier Old Man Winter beer. If you've never tried it, you're missing out!! 

Trivia Night!

It's a beautiful night in Rochester! I really can't believe that it's 50 degrees and rainy at the end of January. Nothing really beats running in shorts and a light rain-jacket in the middle of winter.

There was nothing special about tonight's loop. I ran exactly 4 miles and it was essentially an out and back. The one road, Straub Road, was the main road I was on. There was a a good quarter mile on Straub that smelled like a septic tank. Gross. I'm pretty sure there is a dead bambi somewhere back in the swap. It smelled so bad that I wanted to throw up; almost like trying to run with a hangover. Guaranteed throw up session.

At least the septic tank smell was only around for a few minutes. The one annoying part of running at dusk, and when all the snow is melting, is I couldn't see the damn puddles. Needless to say that my shoes are soaked. Pro tip: put newspaper in soaked shoes and leave them in front of the refrigerator over night. I tried to avoid the puddles as best as I could but it was futile. The random tip-toeing around puddles must have been a sight to see as people were driving past me and I tried to avoid falling on my ass because of the muddy grass.

The one downer tonight was Chelsea promised me to go for a run with me when I finished my run! Did she? Nope. I don't blame her, I'd rather drink than run. Good thing I'm going to trivia night tonight! What type of beer am I drinking tonight? Not too sure yet. I'm hoping Victory Storm King is on special tonight and I sure hope we win trivia night! $50 bar tab for the winners!

Back to the Future?

My last post was April 8th, 2012. It is now 27 days into 2013. I've been running off and on over the past year and drinking more beers a week than miles. I'd say I'm nowhere near able to run a marathon! With that being said, I guess I'm back to running - again. Will it last longer than last year? Probably...not. Who knows, I might surprise myself and surprise you!

Here is a little background. The end of 2012 I decided I should probably start running again. I gained a few pounds (compared to my racing days) and I can drink way more than I probably should. Late November and early December I started to run again. I ran a few times with a few friends, Pete and Selke. I also started running once a week with my good friend Ben (which we still try to do). I ended 2012 with several good weeks of running and have continued to debate if I should actually train for anything (obviously I debated this while drinking).

2013 starts and I get a few great runs in - then the flu happened. Knocked me out for around 12 days. I got better and ran one or two days then Mother Nature decided to slap us around with single digits. Finally, it is starting to be warm enough to go outside without whiskey!

Enough with this background noise. Today's run was nice. I ran with a good friend, Chris, who has just under a week of fatherhood under his belt. He is currently training for a marathon and has been asking me to go for runs with him. It finally worked out today. It was only 5 miles and it was around 8 minute mile pace. This is great  news for both of us. Chris is just starting to run and I am just starting to get back into shape. I like talking to Chris because we hold the same political views. It's great to bitch and moan about Louise Slaughter and Obama. It makes my day.

The run today was pretty uneventful. It was just above 25 degrees and plenty of slop in the roads and sidewalks. It makes running feel like beach runs except your face freezes and the only type of burn you'll get is wind burn. I did realize, however, that I need a delicious beer after this cold run. I was thinking something along the lines of a Brooklyn IPA. Brooklyn IPA had mild hops that like to bite your tongue at first - similar to the cold wind. Perfect match for today's nice run.

Here's to more miles and more beers!