This will be quick (haha kidding) but I had to share because it's a huge accomplishment thus far in my training.
Last Saturday started off, okay, was, a nasty day. The sky was cloudy. The temperature hovered around 55-60 degrees and this gross mist was hanging around. I kept hoping it might clear off so I could log my four mile run for the day for my half marathon training but it became evident that there was no light at the end of the tunnel. Metaphorically speaking of course.
We went out for breakfast which turned into brunch because the cafe was so busy. But it was worth it. I really wanted a pancake and a pancake I got. Along with sausage, eggs, hash browns and coffee. It was a breakfast much larger than I am used to but I didn't regret it. We stopped by my in-laws for a bit and I had another cup of coffee. What can I say? I love the stuff. The weather? Still reminiscent of London on a good day. (Note: I've never been to London. This comparison could be false. I'm just trying to be comical. Don't judge me.)
We live maybe five minutes from my in-laws and as we literally pull into the garage my son falls asleep. PERFECT! My breakfast had digested, going on close to three hours by this point, and I'd given up on better weather. I might as well suck it up and run right? Who knows what race day will bring. In Texas it might 30 or it might be 80 with a variation of precipitation ranging from sleet to sunshine all within the same race. I kid. I kid. Maybe.
Brace yourselves. I'm switching tenses here. It gets ugly but it's my style, Man!
The offspring is in his crib and I'm hitting the road. I start off feeling great but quickly realize I should have left the ear warmers at home. I was afraid the wind would chap them but instead I created a sauna for my head. I could tell my pace was faster than usual and I attribute it to Pandora just getting me at the moment.
RunKeeper prompted me at the 5:00 mark and told me my distance and average pace. It was a solid 10:04! I instantly told myself no walking until I know I finished that mile. My second wind for the first mile usually hits at the half mile point and I felt it shortly after. I was somewhere around .94 at 10:00 so I don't know my exact time but it set the tone for the rest of the run. I took my first walk break at 1.2 miles and started running again around 1.3 and didn't stop until about 2.2 (except to cross the highway).
I got to the next neighborhood I usually run in and just told myself to enjoy the awesome random music selection Pandora was giving me. It's rare. I told myself not to worry about my time and to not push myself. These running conditions were new and I couldn't expect miracles in a foreign battle field.
I don't remember hearing the 20:00, 25:00 or 30:00 minute prompts with my distance and pace. I was just feeling good. The 35:00 minute marker caught my attention because I knew, based on location, I was on the home stretch of my distance. Sure enough, the little digital voice said my total distance was 3.19 miles. I didn't hear the average pace because all I could think was "PR for 5k!" I obviously hit 5k prior to 35:00 minutes but I don't exactly know when but at that point I knew I was on my way to a PR for my four miles.
My typical four mile runs have been about 48:00-51:00 depending on how I feel. My fasted time had come on a treadmill around 46:00. Saturday? I ran those four miles in beast mode finishing in 44:31.
Today's four miles weren't so beast mode but I wasn't exactly feeling the run. My time was 45:49 so it wasn't bad compared to Saturday and it was still better than my previous record. Not a bad way to start the week, eh?
If you are training I hope you have an awesome, injury free week!
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