It seemed like the theme of last week was running through the darkness. Lately it’s been all about headlamps and reflective gear. Although somehow two of my headlamps have stopped working over the past month so I’ve switched to knuckle lights. I’m looking forward to getting some more light in the mornings next week!
This time of year is especially creepy with all the Halloween decorations out. When I am running around my neighborhood there are always lots of animals like deer and foxes. Sometimes I don’t know whether something is a lawn decoration or a real animal. One house has some sort of creepy man propped up against a tree (I couldn’t tell what it was supposed to be because it was too dark) but I really had to question if it was a real person as I was running by.
Other than the darkness and decorations, it was another good week of running.
Weekly Wrap: Running Through the Darkness
Monday: 4 miles + Strength Training
I had a hard time getting out of the door on Monday and opted for the treadmill instead. I was quickly reminded that I prefer running outside. I’ll likely try to save my treadmill runs for when it’s a little colder or worse weather like rain or strong wind.
Tuesday: 6 miles in the darkness + mobility
It felt so good to be outside after the previous day’s treadmill run! It was one of those runs that I didn’t have high expectations for but it turned out being a really good run.
Wednesday: 4 miles + Strength Training
Nothing too special about this run. I ran loops around my neighborhood and it was a little chilly for shorts
Thursday: 6 miles
This was another great run! The first mile was a little tough, but then I started to feel really good and ended up running 6 miles instead of the 5 I had planned. (Then I had to rush to get ready for work in time.)
Friday: 7 miles of running through the darkness
So this was actually only going to be a 3 mile run. I really don’t even know how it turned into 7. I’ve done 7 the last few Fridays and it just felt right. I had enough time because initially I was going to try to get in some yoga after my shorter run. Well I guess I must have really been avoiding the yoga or something because I chose to just keep running!
Saturday: Rest
It was rainy, windy, and cold so a perfect day to rest.
Sunday: 4 miles
It was a nice fall day and I ran faster than expected! (Plus, I didn’t have to run in the dark!) The route I took is an out and back- the first half is uphill and the second half is downhill. SoI usually surprise myself with my paces at the end.
Total: 31 miles
It case you missed any posts from last week:
Adjusting to Running in Cooler Weather
October Runfessions
A Peek Into Cleveland Marathon Training Weeks 5-9
Base Building Week 2
How were your workouts last week?
Have you been running through the darkness lately?
Ever get freaked out by certain decorations?
Great week for you! I can’t believe how quickly Halloween came up. We should’ve carved pumpkins over the weekend and I didn’t even think of it!
It really did sneak up on us! I forgot to buy Halloween candy until today.
Wow, so many awesome runs! I love fall running but between rainy weekends and hell week I havent run that much. There are so many Halloween decorations in my neighborhood. It look like the light-up inflatable trend finally reached the Halloween market.
I think the decorations this year and more over-the-top than ever!
I just can’t motivate myself to get out in the dark morning! That’s how I ended up with that afternoon run last week. I agree with you that morning runs are kind of creepy. We have a lot of skunks in the neighborhood–ick. I saw one on Saturday and it was not that early!
Nice week of miles!
I know I just can’t run later in the day (due to time, energy, and motivation) so I’ve pretty much wired myself to get it done in the morning. But its still hard to get started!
Awesome job this week! I think that running by all those Halloween decorations would creep me out too, especially when you can’t tell what it is!
I am really looking forward to daylight savings this weekend. I am not enjoying leaving my house when it’s still pitch black outside to drive to work!
Leaving for work in the dark is no fun, but I’m also not looking forward to leaving work when it’s dark out. Why do the days have to get so short during the winter months?!
Since I work later at my new job, I know if I want to run outside this winter, I’ll have to be a morning runner. As much as I hate losing light in the evenings, I know having sunlight in the mornings is going to really help.
Yes, especially with getting out earlier for a run!
Love your Wednesday socks. Very Halloween-y or at least Wizard of Oz
How do you find the knuckle lights fit? The ones I’ve tried have been rather uncomfortable
I think the knuckle lights fit pretty well. I keep them loose so maybe that helps? I just wear one on one hand because they are so bright.
I haven’t seen many freaky Halloween decorations lately. But it has been darker later! I started at 7am on Sunday and it was dark until close to 7:45! That changes next week with the time change of course, so I hope the good weather will continue with it and we won’t be back to hot and steamy. I had enough of that to last a lifetime haha.
I also hope you are done with hot and steamy weather for awhile! Changing the clocks back will be nice, at least for a few weeks until the days get super short.
Nice week! The third trimester is agreeing with you. It’s going to feel so strange after the time changes. Hopefully, I can be a little more motivated to get up and run before work. But at least this is the time of year where I don’t mind running after work too. Oddly, my neighborhood isn’t as decorated for Halloween as it usually is. We had a HUGE blowup ghost here last year. I miss it. Thanks for linking!
Weird that your neighborhood isn’t very decorated this year! Ours seems to have more decorations than usual.
Most of my runs seem to be int he dark these days, that’s why my Saturday run (in complete daylight) was so nice 😉 I’m a huge fan of Knuckle Lights…they’re awesome and so easy to use.
It’s nice to have an occasional run in the daylight when you’re used to running in the dark every day!
How do you like knuckle lights? Do you find them better at giving you light than a headlamp?
I only need to wear one because they are SO bright. And I like that you an aim them wherever you need them to go. There are pros and cons though to the headlamp vs knuckle lights. I feel like if I need to see in front of me during the entire run then the headlamp is a better option because the knuckle lights need a little help with aiming them where to go.
Some Halloween decorations spooked me on a run a few weeks ago – they had a Michael Meyers set up on the porch and I jumped!
That would definitely make me nervous! It’s amazing the things some people come up with.
You had a great week! Running in the dark first thing in the morning is so hard – it’s the one thing I don’t mind about turning the clocks back in November!
Agreed! I always look forward to those weeks where we have some more sunlight in the mornings (until the days get really short).