How long is winter again?

Todd and I just returned from a quick 3.5 mile or so New Year's Eve run. In temperatures just above freezing. And it was raining.

I just want to say, give me cold, wet and raining over the treadmill any day of the year.

Oh, and come on Springtime.

Introducing the 2010 Madness Mid-Winter Motivational Series

With all of the cold weather and the total lack of races in January, we've decided to organize a couple of 5K races of our own. The 2010 Madness Mid-Winter Motivational Series will include two 5K races in January, and maybe another one or two in February. Everyone is welcome to come out and run with us, there will be no race fees, and they will be timed events. We will also provide after race refreshments.

The first race will be held on January 10, 2010 at the Blackwater Creek Trail. The race will start at 10 am.

The second race will be held on January 17, 2010 at Peaks View Park. The race will start at 10 am.

I expect all members of the East Coast Madness race team to be at both races, but I also hope to see some other friends and family there. I think that this will be a good opportunity to keep everyone motivated during these hard-to-train-in winter months. Spring will be here soon, and before we know it race season will be in full swing. Lets work together to stay motivated and keep training. Call Alexis or Todd if you have any questions.

Jingle Bell Fun Run- CANCELLED

That means I have one pair of elf ears, two sets of posable antler headbands, and two light-up reindeer headbands but no awards for most spirit. That means 8-16 inches of impending snow. It also means we will have to do something most dreadful this weekend.

Use the treadmill.

Winter Time Training Blues

I know that it's hard to stay motivated, and to keep training when the weather is cold and nasty. This always helps me maintain my focus whenever I get into a slump and don't feel like getting out to train.

I'd like to get a couple of really good team training sessions in over the Christmas Break when everyone is going to be in town. I'm actually up for training whenever we can find some time. Alexis, Erin, and I started exploring some of the bike trails at Blackwater Creek last weekend, and I'd like to get everybody out there together once or twice before Spring Semester starts up again.

30th Annual Peaks Of Otter Christmas Classic

Being our first race in inclement weather (it rained and snowed), most of the team was a little discouraged by their times, however I had read early that morning that running any course in the rain makes you 50% more hardcore than running the same course on a different day in normal weather. So keeping our hardcoreness in mind here are the results for our last race of 2009.

Jordan
36:04
12th in age group (18-24)
258/322

Alexis
26:44
5th in age group (25-29)
138/322

Erin
29:51
9th in age group (30-34)
196/322

Tyler
36:04
26th in age group (18-24)
259/322

Todd
23:15
7th in age group (35-39)
73/322

Our only other organized run left this year (other than weekend group training sessions) is next Saturday's Jingle Bell Fun Run at Riverside Runners here in town (their Christmas Party to speak of). Prizes will be awarded for best holiday spirit. I was thinking of going as an Elf but I figured the tights would be a little too cold for me and the elf shoes not the best for running, any ideas?