6:45 am The silence is pierced with the most obnoxious sound. After fighting with the snooze option I finally got up but only to walk a dog that’s not mine. She does her business and back in the house. So fun. It takes me less than ten minutes to gather all my things, out the door, quick stretch and so begins my run.
7:15 am Since my last long run I’ve been looking forward to this one and I have to keep reminding myself to find the right pace and maintain because I have routed the longest run for myself, to date. Alright so the problem to mapping out a run on a computer is that Google Maps does not really show elevation. Other than the inevitable fatigue and longer distance running the first and biggest obstacle came around a mile and a half into my run. I’m running on a road that I have traveled, in a car, countless times but never realized how much of an incline it has. In all honesty this particular stretch of road, overall, really wore heavy on me. I was consistently climbing and just when I thought it would level off it drops rather quickly and now I’m struggling to slow my momentum to keep from rolling head over heels to a major road at the bottom of the decline.
(Tangent) I managed to get past that hurdle and moved to one of the longer portions of straight road. As I ran along the sidewalk I noticed that every now and again car tire grooves were gouged into to the curb grass over the side-walk and back into the grass on the other side of the sidewalk. The tracks swerved back and forth then suddenly stopped. After the abrupt stop you can follow the more shallow grooves back onto the road. Curiosity prompts the question as to whether or not the drivers were drunk or falling asleep. All things considered, my money is on the alcohol induced erratic driving.
8:00 am At this point I’m a bit under three-quarters of the way finished and feel GREAT! The wind is blowing discolored leaves all around and just as I round the second to last corner there is an instant change in the temperature that takes the focus away from the run and directs it towards its randomness. I just kept running wondering why the sudden snap and just as that thought crossed my mind the clouds’ bottom tear open and drop an onslaught of rain. The remainder of the run was done so with persistent rain, a new yet very pleasant ending.
8:29 am Done. Considering it’s only the third clocked run and the longest distance run, I feel great and might even go for a run tomorrow. I don’t know if my times are par or sub par but either way I feel accomplished. Thinking back I probably would have run further and longer had it not been for the rain. I know it sounds like a cop-out but my running partner is my iPhone which doubles as my time keeper and iPod. I was drenched when I got back home and rather lucky that my phone is fully functional. A few things made a difference this go around and aided me in finishing the planned route. First, I can be pretty stubborn, so pacing myself early so that I don’t gas out in the end. Having to call for a ride wouldn’t go over well this time of day. Second, I mapped the route so that when I realized I didn’t want to run, it would be too late. The fact that I can be bull-headed aids this as well. Finally, I read an interesting article forwarded to me by a co-worker who is an avid runner, someone who I look to for tips and stuff. He’s experienced in the field.
Take the jump and read it. Pretty cool. Running Times for the article also check out RunKeeper to see my numbers on this trip. Until next time.
UPDATE; Post-Run
I actually feel remarkably fine. Sure there is a bit of soreness in my lower extremities however it is mainly my quads that are achy. Surprising as it was my calves and shins in the most pain yesterday during the latter portion of the run. My intent was to get up early again today and go for another run but the day led my in a different direction. Regardless, I’m anxious to run again. I would rather be well prepared before committing and entering a race. I’m beginning to get a bit obsessive about this. No?
