Today I was going into work at 9, so I easily had time to get my run in. Since it's a weekday, it's time to get some speedwork done.
First, though, there were storms in the area. I checked the tv and theweatherchannel.com and was assured I would have time to get a run in. It looked pretty close, so I ran with my mp3 on the local radio station. They also assured the masses the storms were en route, but not before my run would be over. It was steamy this morning, so I really needed to wear my shorter shorts, which do not have pockets. I ran with my mp3 and phone in one hand and my pepper spray in the other. It was just one of those days where I didn't feel like I should go out without it. Which is pretty much everyday these days.
I walked to the corner (4 mins/.4K/.25mi). The next 7 minutes, I covered the ground from the corner where I have been starting my runs near, to the curve near the end of the figure-8. A lot happened in those 7 minutes.
In the second block of my run, a downhill block, I sped up. I was full-on running and it felt great. I loved it. My stride felt exactly how it should, my footstrikes felt right. This is what I want to be able to do all the time. I got winded pretty soundly, but wanted to make it to the end of the block, so I kept on. This leads to a block-long uphill, a slight leveling off, then another downhill. At the level point, I sped up again. I'm not crazy - I couldn't speed up on an uphill, but I didn't want to make it so all the speedwork was done going downhill. So I hustled through another half block, partway into the downhill. I also wanted to use the downhill as recovery before the next uphill to a busy-ish intersection.
Going up that hill, I was quite winded. As much as I was enjoying the full-out running, I was pretty sure I couldn't keep this up for 30 minutes. As I approached the intersection, I was checking for traffic. There was a guy coming up on my right, walking a dog. I was dying, but I did my normal, casual wave - one hand raised, barely a wave, but at least an acknowledgement where I am doing my best to be friendly to strangers, something I am not generally a fan of doing. Oh, did I mention I was carrying my pepper spray in my hand I waved with? Oh, yes, I am such a friendly person, that when you see me for the first time I hold up all the weapons I am carrying, as if to say, don't bother with me, I will attack you first. I realized almost immediately what I had done. Thankfully, there was no traffic so I could continue on my somewhat mortified/highly amused way.
After crossing that intersection, I sped up on a slight uphill towards the curve. This was a short burst, but they are supposed to be random. Afterwards, though, I was tapped. I was so done. When I hit that curve, I started walking (1.34K/.83mi). I didn't finish my route; I turned back for home and walked up until the school entrance (1.76K/1.09mi).
Despite the local radio's continued assurances, there was thunder getting ever closer, and I didn't like it one bit, so I took off running again. I made it about 2 minutes (2.07K/1.29mi). I had had one last burst of speed, for about 10-15 feet with the goal of some random tree. This was my 4th speed burst - Runner's World had suggested 5-6 per run, but this was also a pathetic excuse for a run, over all.
I walked the last 8 minutes home (2.84K/1.77mi). There were just a few sprinkles before I got home, but all weather sources were correct in that the big storms did not hit until I was enjoying my fried smores and opening my birthday presents around the dining room table. Even before the smores, I was quite thirsty today and had to ice my knees immediately. The right knee may be worse now. Something else I've noticed since I started running again is that my legs twitch all over, wildly, incessantly. It doesn't hurt, and you can't see it. Husband assures me that it's normal, but I must say, I don't entirely believe him.
Weather: 68, mostly cloudy, 7mph, 90% humidity, feels like 68 (no)
Time: 6am; Walk 4, Run 7, Walk 5, Run 2, Walk 8
Distance: 2.84K/1.77mi
Elevation: +34.2/-29/net 5.2 ft
Just run: 9:00
Distance: 1.25K/.78 mi (oy.)
5K/10K: 30:37/1:04:42
Pace: 12.07
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