That's right, it's Saturday, Oct 2, the day of the Roots N Blues N BBQ 10K that was my original goal for my first race. Too bad I still haven't ran a whole 5K. I have to say, though, it was nice to have a splitting headache Friday night and know I didn't have to get up and run 6 miles at the crack of dawn.
It was cold today, too. Husband thinks running is better in the cold. Maybe I've obsessed too much over whether I love or hate Hot Yoga, but it just seems like having warm muscles makes exercise better. Maybe I've just spent most of my days running in the sweltering heat and it's what I'm used to. Of course it could just be that I positively abhor being cold in general.
Anyway, I knew I wanted to run today to mark the 10K date. I even managed to convince myself I was going to complete a 10K, even if I walked three quarters of it.
Before I headed out, we watched this week's "Big Bang Theory," where Penny had to take Sheldon for a run. I was hoping that little story would last longer than it did, but it still greatly amused me. Sheldon had all his electronics ready to monitor his run, while Penny offered the sage advice that she just runs until she gets hungry. Then she stops and eats a bear claw. Love it.
I had a bagel, dew and water this morning. Then came the challenge of figuring out what to wear. Last time I wore winter stuff, I was sweltering. So I went with capri yoga pants, and a tank top style shirt. I stepped outside and even though the sun was shining bright, it was just frigid out there. So I threw a long sleeved tee over the top, thinking I could stop and take it off if I got too hot. After all, I was going for a 10K. I also added a stocking cap because I knew my ears would freeze off. I have to knit a couple little headbands, I guess, because the cap still feels like overkill and keeps me pretty hot. At this point, it's just my ears that need warmed.
I changed my mp3 from Poison to a New Orleans Brass album that Brother gave me. I love running to this album anyway, but it had to be done on RNBNBBQ10K day for sure.
I set out for the bottom part of the 8, since the last couple of runs have been the top. It's Saturday, so circling the school wouldn't be an issue. The bottom part is slightly longer, so when I get back to the middle, near home, where the temptation to quit is overwhelming, I'll have at least gone a bit farther than the last couple runs. I absolutely must find another route where I go out and back, instead of twisting around the house. I think that's why I had such good luck when I was running around 30 minutes. I ran from home, out of town, and back home. The route was tough, but I was still finishing it. I've gotten so used to my 8, though, that I don't have to stare at the uneven cracked sidewalk the whole time, because I know where all the rough spots are. A new route takes some getting used to.
I was feeling pretty tired...kinda missing that rest day, since I just ran yesterday. But, as I cruised along, in spite of the tiredness, I felt GREAT. This was by far the best run I'd had in awhile. Everything was clicking. I stayed warm, but not sweltering (I kept all layers on). My ears were still cold when I got home, though. The wind was KILLER today. When it was blowing in my face, it took my breath away. Not a great thing when I'm already pulling from the bottom of my lungs with each breath. I did see another runner - a guy who was probably in his 60s. He had shorts and a t-shirt on and undoubtedly thought I was crazy all bundled up. Just wait, a little colder, and I'm going to be rocking a Snuggi on my runs.
Of course, I established a few days back that my goal was 24 minutes. I didn't think that was going to be an issue today. Sigh. I didn't feel like I could do the 5K (or a 10K, duh), so I headed for home. I ended up only running 23 minutes, which is annoying, but I ran all the way home, instead of quitting a couple blocks away. So that was encouraging. I felt like I ran so much farther than yesterday, but once the routes were measured up, I only went half a mile farther today. Of course, I ran it all today. Anyway, it was a good run. Sunday will be a rest, and Monday I guess I'll work on a new route to remove the temptation to quit in the middle.
Weather: 57, Sunny, 20 mph (gusting to 29 mph), 58% Humidity
Time: 1:30p; 23 minutes
Distance: 3.05K (1.89m)
Elevation: +44.7/-39.5/net 5.2 ft
5K/10K: 39:14/1:22:56 -- Yay, below 40 on an all run day!
No comments:
Post a Comment