Steve in a Speedo?! Gross!: January 2026

After a semi-successful pseudo-long run on the treadmill on Monday morning (9 miles instead of 11+ where I was ready to jump off if my butt got too sore), I was ready to head outside for a run on Wednesday. Only it was cold, icy, and I needed to find some clear sidewalks. So I just did some random loops along the University of St. Thomas because they take real nice care of their sidewalks:

1 degree with some breeze. Not the nicest.

Follow the half-mile splits: a real random loopy run.

Just past split #3 I was about 1.5 miles from home, but I was a mile or less at every other point in the run. If my sore glute flared up, I could turn and walk home at any point and not get more injured or freeze in those cold temps. I was hoping to make it 5 miles, and I got in 5.44.

It didn't feel perfect, but it didn't get "sore." I took that as a win! Especially 2 days after a long run test, and a day after a decent trainer ride.

And then I did pretty much the same run yesterday in similar weather (0 degrees and 12 mph wind yesterday, vs 1 degree and 9 mph wind on Wednesday).

Oh, and I have 2 possible theories for my sore butt. First I thought it could have been from so much treadmill time: just an overuse injury from the EXACT SAME foot strike on the treadmill. But more recently I wondered if it didn't flare up from going on walks when it's slippery outside and therefore walking more "stiff" and tense (with my butt a little flexed). So I'm trying to make sure I'm walking and running "naturally" and nice and loose.

Back with some Costa Rican workouts from 10 days ago shortly!...