"Summer" Training

When you live in a four season climate like that of my home state of Colorado, you resign yourself to certain facts every fall.

First, once Labor Day passes, swimming outside is done. Be it your local open water venue or outdoor pool, odds are, you're back to indoor swimming.

Second, as the days get shorter and colder, runs are often going to be in the cold and the dark. Sure, there are occasional respites of warme weather, but mostly, cold weather gear is in order.

This week I got to see how folks in warmer climates train. Granted, even the locals have said is is warm for the time of year but even more typical weather it's still much warmer than home.

My last post gave a small taste as I ran around the neighborhood on Christmas morning. Two days later I got an even better taste as I took a short fifteen minute walk over to the local YMCA. It features a large 25 yard outdoor pool. Better still as a first time user, my entry was free! 

Early the following morning, my sister-in-law picked me up around 6:15 so I could join her and a friend on their morning run around La Jolla Cove. It was overcast as we arrived (typical for mornings on the coast) but the temperature was still in the 60's and I was comfortable in a pair of tri shorts and ant-shirt.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/420739369

Later today, I head home and back to reality. I'm glad though. I like where I live including the benefits that come with training at high altitude. What's more, I heard from my coach this week and I expect to see the first workouts of my annual training plan.

And...I'll be getting even more summer sampling in a few weeks when my wife and I vacation on the south coast of Jamaica!

A Christmas Day Run - 2013

Three years ago I decided that I would go running on Christmas Day. I wanted (needed) time out on my own away from a condo crowded with relatives. So in the early afternoon I headed south along that Florida beach for five miles. At the end of that run, I thought, "I should do this every Christmas."

Three years later, it has become my annual tradition.

Yesterday morning, despite a strong desire to stay in bed, I got up and ran for 30 minutes around my in-laws' neighborhood. Having done my last run in the cold dark of Colorado, it was nice to be in shorts in a t-shirt.

Here's a couple of highlights:

There's more running and hopefully an outdoor pool swim here before I head back into winter. Until then, thanks for reading!