Today started off like any other day, Dew, water, homemade applesauce. OK that last thing is new. And delicious. I ended up with a pretty powerful stomachache, so I had a gingin before I ran also. I also sprayed my B&BW mist again. In my pursuit of figuring out why I can't do a 5K, I decided to switch one thing up - I put in my contacts again. I started running with my glasses a couple of months ago, and I've often missed my sunglasses. Today wasn't that sunny, but it was super windy, so I thought I should wear the sunglasses anyway. (Turned out to be mostly sunny while I was running so it worked out well.)
So I set out. My stomach was KILLING me. I was worried. However, I had a plan, and I had to give it a go. I was going to run my original, mostly flat 5K route. I figure after taking on the hilly route, this should be a breeze. I was going to do this after I tried the hills the first couple of times, but I instead took two weeks off altogether.
As I headed down the flattest part of the route, I was already thirsty. So much for getting my water back in check. Gosh, I have a long way to go at this point. And it's super windy, which is not helping. As I chug along, I note the excellent music so far. Lenny Kravitz singing "American Woman" is a fantastic run boost.
Actually, I was feeling pretty good at this point...My breathing is outstanding, and I feel pretty light on my feet...My knees had been a little sore over the weekend, but all was right with the world at this point.
Ooh! I even remembered that I had to run up 2 more blocks, then re-trace my steps before I turn for home. Something I've forgotten in the past and was surprised to remember today.
I'm also "cool as a cucumber, fresh as a melon" thanks to my Cucumber Melon B&BW scent and ala Muhammad Ali...although, I'm not ashamed to admit, it took me 36 hours to realize I was imitating Ali ("Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee") while I kept repeating that throughout the ENTIRE run.
But, back to that wind. I was noticing the way it was blowing, and that it would be straight in my face for the very last leg of my run. That stretch comes up the main road, which is just barely uphill. At the end of a 5K. Into the wind. I tried really hard to figure out how to remedy this, but I couldn't figure out how to keep the route long enough while actually running. I finally decided that IF I even made it that far, I would just hope the wind was calm for a few minutes.
I really couldn't get over how easy I was breathing. I've noticed lately that it's been getting better, and I'm ecstatic about it. I hope it's not just because the humidity has gone down..
As I headed back around the school, I was entering the only real hilly section of this route, and while trying to fight through it, I was taking in yet another ridiculously detailed Halloween yard decoration. There was a lot of little things to look at, and as I passed the far side of the property, I noticed the larger display, and RIGHT when I went past, I noticed the homeowner mixed in with the scarecrows and she about scared the crap out of me. She was busily arranging her display, and I don't believe she realized just how effective it all was.
My legs were getting pretty heavy at this point, and the hills were taking their toll. I was also nearing the dreaded halfway point, where it is so easy to stop and walk home. Then came on a jazzy "Little Drummer Boy," which kept me going at just the right time.
Almost unbelievably, I made it to, and around the post office. I was getting pretty stoked at this point, and tried to reign it in. I still had a long way to go, but only a couple more blocks to get to my longest run (straight run/no walking). Cool as a cucumber. Fresh as a melon.
I start down the long downhill, wind at my back. I see that a car is about to pull into the driveway ahead of me, and I was going pretty slow at this point, so I didn't want to enrage them by slowly crossing in front of them. I stop. They stop. This happens a lot. I know I should be happy people are capable of politeness, but I attribute it instead to them being too stupid to continue with their forward motion. So I growl, "Come on," presumably under my breath, but I really don't care. I mean, KNOW. So this fat, inbred, hill person, with his even more inbred beast of an adult kid, pull in front of me, and the guy says "Guess ya weren't runnin fast enough." Clearly. Not. Douche. Bag.
Cool as a cucumber. Fresh as a melon.
Here I should note that this was my 4th "stop" in today's run. I had previously stopped very, very briefly for traffic. While this was my longest stop, none of them were for more than a few seconds. It was nice to only have to remember the stops instead of the times for all the run/walk/run/walks.
What's this, Poison's "Rock N Roll All Nite"? I am going to finish this thing! I just passed my longest point! I am a rock star! I am going too fast down this long hill! I am going to get to my house and puke homemade applesauce! I CAN SEE THE END OF THE STREET! (Granted, that means, there's a hill, and I still have to run back down the main street, but -) I GOT THIS!!
Every. Single. Time I get cocky, it all goes to hell. I got THE sharpest, most intolerable side cramp I have had in this whole 175 days. Well, there's NO way I am letting a pathetic side cramp stop me. I continue. I got to a bit of shade at about the same time I almost fell down/into the wall providing the shade. I was a mess. I continued on. I made it to the end of the block, where I stopped, in pure screaming agony. I was one baby-sized block from the turnaround. I was PISSED!
I had run 32 minutes. 3.96K. 2.46 miles. All records.*
There was a small wall here, so I leaned on it, and did some calf stretches. I don't know what you are supposed to do to get rid of a stomach cramp, but this seemed to help. After about 30 seconds, I stomped on. I was furious. I was a seething ball of rage. I stormed to the corner, up the hill, past Tux's house, and down the next baby block.
After my last run, where my walks were 8 and 7 minutes, I realized I really need to force myself to walk only 5 minutes, like on the Couch to 5K Plan. So I would only let myself have 5 minutes.
I got to the corner of that baby block in 3 minutes, and took off running. Screw 5 minutes. I don't need it. I walked .3K/.19m.
Well, I have a long run home, and I refuse to stop. The "uphill" isn't a problem. The wind isn't a problem. My side isn't a problem - why couldn't I stay upright a few more minutes!? There were, however, a TON of people out today. I delayed my Sunday run to Monday, when there should have been fewer people out. I was wrong. Unemployment is thriving.
Completely unbelievably, I made it the rest of the way home. It took another 6.5 minutes, for a total of 41.5 minutes/4.95K/3.07m (seriously?!). I marched right up the steps. I was awesome today.
Once inside, my left knee started hurting pretty bad. I iced it for quite awhile. My right calf was sore, too. Perhaps from the random mid-run stretches? None of this kept me from taking the dog for his walk, though.
Weather: 74, Sunny, 23 mph Wind, 58% Humidity
Time: 1:30pm; Run 32, Walk 3, Run 6.5
Distance: 4.95K (3.07m)
Elevation: +89.6/-87.6/net +2 ft
5K/10K: 41:58/1:28:42
Run Time: 38.5 minutes
Distance: 4.65K (2.88m) - I walked 6% today.
5K/10K: 41:39/1:28:02
Prior to today, I had run for 30 minutes on the last day of the Couch to 5K, which covered 3.91K. I had clocked a 28 minute run since then, at 3.52K. Obviously, my 32 minute 3.96K pre-cramp run was quite exciting. 38.5 minutes/4.65K is also my new best time and distance for total just run time.
*By me. So far.
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