Dec 16-22: Snow and Ice Grind

Dec 16
3 miles easy, 25:11 CR 210

Dec 17
Am: 3.2 easy on CR 250; tons of snow
Pm: 3.9 on CR 220 & 221 in 29:40, packed snow and ice every step. Avg HR 139. As good as I’ve felt since I got back from Japan.

Dec 18
Am: 3.2 in 26:40 on CR 250 packed snow and ice every step
Pm: 4.8 miles super easy w/ HS kids

Dec 19
Signed up for the Pikes Peak Ascent this morning. Got in for free! Is it because I’m an A-1 ok superstar runner? Nope! It’s because I was broken earlier this year and I got a deferred entry.

I’m not sure how I’ve managed to be a semi-serious hobby jogger for 30 years, 20 years in Colorado and somehow never run that race.

I've wanted to, though. This is actually the 3rd time I’ve signed up for it. Both prior registrations were sunk by injury. 3rd time’s the charm?

Am: 3.1 miles in 26 minutes on CR 250. Lots of snow still.
Pm: Light tempo effort on CR 220 & 221. 4 miles, with last three at 6:35 pace on rolling hills & packed snow & ice. Nothing special, but trying to keep things moving when I can.

Dec 20
Am: 4.4 miles on spiral drive in 39:10 with the HS kids; 6 x 1 minute on/off up the hill. Got the HR up to 177 on the last one trying to keep up with the whipper-snappers! The kids keep me honest and humble!
Pm: 3.4 in 25:10 on CR 140, max HR 145.

In-laws arrived for the holidays. Gonna be a busy week.

Dec 21
Went to Denver to buy a car. Long day. No running.

Dec 22
6.1 in 45:20 on CR 220 this morning. Kind of a rhythm run where I started off easy and picked up the pace at the end. Finished with a 20:34 5k.

Some beautiful sunrises & sunsets this week at the house.