Prepping for turkey...

Oh cold snap...its starting to get chilly out and today required a bit heavier clothing for my run.  Luckily I enjoy running in cooler weather and am totally prepared for the onset of winter.  Here's my rule of thumb when dressing to run in cooler temps...add 15 - 20 degrees to the actual temperature and that's what the run will feel like a mile or so into it.  So, if its 30 degrees, your core will think its 45 - 50 degrees and so on.  I've found this keeps me from over or under dressing too badly.

Today was about 40 - 45 degrees, so no hat for me (those come out around 30 degrees), but I did sport the running capris and long sleeve half zip with a shirt underneath.  It was comfortable and kept me appropriately toasty throughout my jaunt. 

And for my jaunt?  I'm really trying to hit the 1000 mile mark before the end of November without overdoing it on my body.  In fact, its quite obvious I've actually scaled back over the past couple weeks quite a bit.  My current plan is to hit my mark while still going into the 2013 running season healthy as a horse. 

This week I'm starting out small to save some miles for turkey day (gotta earn the pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes).  So today was a nice, easy, uneventful cruise through my usual areas around DC.  The cooler temperatures mean I'm alone on the streets...er sidewalks...and it was completely quiet.  Just me and my shoes slapping the pavement.  I'm delighted to not have any injuries nagging me right now and so I am finally starting to stretch back into my pace a bit.  Score.  I ended the run sweaty and feeling great.

God willing my speed will be up and ready for the Celtic Solstice 5 miler in December. In the meantime, I'll just keep working and adding up the miles.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  4.1
Time:   35:41 (average pace of 8:42 per mile)
Location:  Capitol Hill, Stanton Park, Lincoln Park
Feeling:  putting it back together to close the year on a high note