Anyway. We had 7 miles on tap. We set out in the dark, on familiar territory - I can't tell you how excited I was to get back to our old running route! Jeff (who ended up having a flight late enough in the morning that he was able to run with us), Jenny and I ran together, had a great time, lollygagged a bit (shoe tying, water drinking), saw a huge family of deer hanging out on the golf course, and just enjoyed ourselves. Between the new (old) route and the weather, it was a banner day. We left Jenny around mile 4.5 - she had a busy morning ahead and needed to get home. Jeff and I turned and ran up "Boonville Hill" - somehow, it wasn't as bad as previous years...big props to hill work!
At mile 5, we stopped at the aid station and had some water and Gatorade, refilled our bottles, and regrouped for the rest of the run. Shortly after, I got a bit of a side stitch that stayed with me through the end of the run - I was also having a harder time keeping my breathing steady. By the time we rolled into the finish, I was spent! Turns out after looking at our Garmin splits, we were running pretty fast - relatively speaking - for the last 2 miles, which would explain the breathlessness. I think the first run in decent weather contributed to this; we'll have to pay more attention to keeping a steadier pace next time. We ended up finishing 2 minutes faster than last week, and had we not lollygagged so much, we probably would have knocked off another couple of minutes.
After we finished, Jeff left for Alaska, but I hung around and waited for Julia to come in - she was running 10 miles (and finished in great time, too - hurray cooler weather!). We went out for breakfast with Coach Will:
My breakfast date! Also, could my hair be any more wild???
Coach Will - speed demon. He stayed behind to run with the slower runners (yes, there are a few slower than me), caught up with us around mile 4, then passed us and was at the finish handing out cold washcloths when we came in.
And then we went to the running store. It's practically a rule now: run on Saturday, then check out the running store for anything we might need, LOL. I bought a pair of Yankz, which are an elastic shoelace system that I'm hoping will keep me from having to constantly stop and retighten my laces (it's not that they always come untied, but they loosen up overall, and I have to snug everything up to get the shoe feeling like it's connected to my foot, if that makes sense). I'll let you know how they work out after a few runs in them.
Monday dawned a gloriously cool 64 degrees. Erica came over to run with me, and I swear, it felt like I was floating. Considering that the previous Monday, I ran after 7 miles with my legs feeling like lead, this was an entirely different sensation...and one that I could get used to. Of course, I know it was just a tease, as it's too early for the cool temperatures to stick around, but it was wonderful.
Yesterday, since it still was coolish, Jenny and I ran after she got her kids off to school - I haven't started a run after 6:00 am in months, but there we were, at 7:45, running in daylight! We ran a mile and then I talked her into doing hill repeats. I don't know what I was thinking - they are still hard! But we did 8 of them, bam!
Thursday is another run with Erica, and then...dun dun duhhhhh...8 miles on Saturday. Cue horror movie shriek!
My dear friend: 8 miles? You are going to tackle those 8 miles, no worries!
ReplyDeleteYou know what's weird? In all these years I've been running and with all my shoes I never ever had to stop to lace up my shoes. All my laces are the same as they were when I bought the shoes. Guess I'm kind of lucky with that :)
I've had lace issues with all of my running shoes...so I guess that means it's me, not the particular shoe.
Delete"I SWEAR IT FELT LIKE I WAS FLOATING"
ReplyDeleteI love love that snippet and would run if I could capture that sentiment.
I loved running when the mornings are cooler. The cool weather makes it seem almost effortless.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't do 8 miles in hot or cool weather. You go!
You could do 8 miles - you just have to work up to it. And then not freak out (I'm not, I'm not...) on the day you are actually schedule to run it, lol!
DeleteDo I get to say I told you so? Cooler weather + less humidity = faster running, evening if you're a slow runner! So glad it was a good one for you. As always, I'm envious of your group...
ReplyDeleteIt was SO nice! :)
DeleteWow, you're up to 8 miles already! So glad the weather is cooling down for you. That's really nice how the coach stays behind with the slower runners to start.
ReplyDeleteOne of the nicest things about USAFit is that they are really encouraging to all runner types - but still, you have to have good coaches...and we are lucky in that we do. :)
DeleteI love my elastic shoe laces!
ReplyDeleteSo far (2 runs in) I'm liking them, too!. :)
DeleteJeff is going to Alaska and you aren't stowing away in his suitcase?? Bet there is some good running weather in AK right about now :D
ReplyDeleteI know!!! Darn airline rules...
DeleteI'm LOVING this fall weather. Yes! Alaska?? Wish I could go.
ReplyDeleteYAY for the cooler weather!!!! I still think 82 is stinkin' hot, but I guess after the humidity you've endured, it was a welcome relief.
ReplyDeleteI agree - less humidity makes all the difference over temperature to me - hooray for low 60s! You are going to kick 8 miles ass on Saturday!
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to say hi! I finally internet at home again, so I can read your blog again! :)
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love that fall is in the air...it has been just glorious in the mornings here in Oregon...so nice and crisp but in the afternoon it is still getting into the 90's, yuk! You are going to kill those 8 miles girl..Godspeed to ya!
ReplyDelete