I guess this is technically the first normal spring training season I have had since I started running in 2010. Spring of 2011 I was finishing up my Boston Marathon training and was running 40 miles a week and getting ready to taper, hardly a normal situation to be in on ordinary year. Spring of 2012 I was recovering from my Achilles heel injury and was basically starting over from scratch, also not (hopefully) a normal spring training season.
So here we are, spring of 2013. I had a successful fall spate of half marathons and then a very pleasant late fall early winter running schedule. But as the winter progressed and the weather worsened I was forced to spend more of my running time on the treadmill then I’d like. Although my monthly running log looks reasonable, there is no doubt to me that I did not maintain my fitness from the fall. Perhaps it is the fact that I run in the Chi running style, but a treadmill run for me just isn’t the same as a run outside. I don’t find it is interesting, and that results me being less motivated to run. Maybe I’ll run a little less one day or skip a day, or cut my long run short. So in the end, I have to admit that going into spring I have some catch-up to do. I don’t think this is at all unusual, in fact if anything I am guessing this is very usual. One of my running buddies doesn’t even run it all during the winter time and I hear that story quite a bit.