McKinnick Trail - Sandpoint, Idaho...Break out the Sheet Metal Screws!

I ran up at Mckinnick Trail this morning. Lots of snow and lots of ice! My buddy Matt had a great idea for running up there this time of year.

As you can see from the above picture, I simply put some sheet metal screws around the outside edges of my shoe. I have 7 screws in each shoe. I went with my old Saucony Kinvaras which still had some decent tread left. The screws worked better than the Yak-Traks I was using previously.

Dosewallips and I at the turnaround.

Matt carefully working his way down another icy patch.

Green Mountain Via Lebers Lane

Well, I have run 10 more days in a row to hit 18 in a row total. Is is becoming habit forming as of yet? I tend to think I am getting close!

We really enjoyed our trip to Western Washington. While there we ran up at Green Mountain. We hit mainly logging roads and entered on the east side of the mountain at the Lebers Lane Trailhead. We ran roughly 8 miles and enjoyed the varied terrain.

Michelle and I hit the turnaround and a posed for a quick picture. On a sunny day views can be had of the Hood Canal and Olympic Mountain range.

It was really nice to run somewhere without the snow and the ice! Felt good and could relax a bit more.

I go back to work end of this week. Hoping I can find a way to keep my streak alive! I will check back in when I hit my 25th day in a row. 

Day Number 8- German Short-Haired Pointer Gone Wild

Ran in the woods for my eighth day in a row this morning. As you can see, my dog Dosewallips approves of the new routine!

Pend Oreille Bay Trail - Day Number Five

I ran five miles today with my daughters in honor of day number 5 of my streak. I ran on the beautiful Pend Oreille Bay Trail. A beautiful evening for a run with my daughters. Parking at City Beach in Sandpoint is within a nice warm-up of the trail.

My daughters waiting to run. They usually get a bit annoyed with pictures. That is Lake Pend Oreille in the background.

A shot along the bay trail.

Heading back to the warmth of the car. It was about 28 degrees out with a snow storm on the way tomorrow. Should be fun getting my run in!

Day 4 - Running Streak?

Okay, the only reason I went running this evening was due to this notion of a running streak. I fully realize that 4 days isn't a big deal, but the point is "the streak" actually made me go out and move a bit! So, it was dark, snowy and a few days ago I spotted wolf tracks in the woods.  Needless to say, I stayed away from the woods. I ran the minimum required by the national running registry to keep a streak going (1 mile). LAME?! No, not really....it got me off of the couch with Dose into the brisk evening.

Just four days ago, I was unsure if I wanted to make any sort of commitment related to a running streak. It only took four days for me to think a streak may have some motivational merit.

Interesting Running Streak Links:

Huffington Post
New York Times Article - 30 Years!
33 Year Streak

The scene heading out the door this evening...snowy and dark.

Day 3 - Time for Traction

Day number three today. Again, I am not making any commitments other than seeing if I can establish a habit this winter when it comes to my running. Usually, when I begin something like this I have a concrete goal in mind. This is actually a best practice when setting a goal, but related to running it hasn't always worked for me! Anyhow, it was Day 3.

I only ran 2.5 miles. I used a variation of the Yak Trax today because there is still a ton of ice on the trail. As far as distance is concerned, it is all I could fit in today, but figured exercise is exercise! My goal is to establish a good base so I can train for a fast half-marathon. I hope to run the Couer d'Alene Half-Marathon in May. My goal to run under 1:30. I think I can make it happen, as long as I stick with this during the winter.

I am amazed at some of the running streaks I have found online. I am actually pleased to get to 3 days in a row. I know, lame, but I have been running about 3 days a week with a longer run on the weekend. The challenge will be to string some days together. We shall see!

Check out the following sites:
Running Streak Registry
Jon Sutherland 44 year streak article

Enjoy!

Dose running past me going for some water!

Day 2 - Running in the Snow in North Idaho

Okay, day number 2. I ran 3.9 miles with Michelle and Dosewallips. Dose kept running away and exploring. A good run in the woods. Lots of ice and snow on the path. We had to run slow to keep from sliding off the path and into the trees. We did see another set of wolf tracks. It is doubtful I will do any night running over the next few weeks in the woods.

Michelle finishing a fairly long climb. The snow is melting!