Monthly Archives: November 2009

The streak ends

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Greensboro Gobbler 5k
21:19
Splits:
7:05 pace first half, 6:45 pace second half
62nd overall out of 1311
8th AG out of 75

I figured I was going to be slower, having bumped up my miles a bit. I also had a feeling I was going to start slow if I was going to follow through with my promise to myself not to waste energy passing people at the gun in such a big crowd/tiny course. It seemed like all the slow runners (ie, 8 year olds and their moms) were in front of me, all the fast people behind. Tokyo subway craziness ensued. I just tucked myself behind a gaggle of mid-paced runners and let everyone else elbow and push their way to the front.

Once it strung out, I was kind of comfortable going at the slower pace. I waited for the second half to start passing people, and then only casually. I wasn’t feeling very racey. I’m pleased to be able to say that about a pretty quick time, though. That, and I didn’t step in anything from the Dog Walk/Run.

Check out the full race report at MadMayoRunners.com , which should most likely be posted by the time you read this.

Tomorrow: Greensboro Gobbler 5k

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It’s going to be crowded. 1000 people on a 1.5 mile loop. That’s a lot of runners to catch, and a lot of runners to catch me… I have a feeling my time is going to be a little slower. It’s pretty hilly, and I just ate five peanut butter cookies. So, as of right now, on the couch, I don’t feel very fast.

A significant percentage of the MadMayo Running Club are going to be running as well. There will most likely be pictures.

Just thought of something – there’s a Fun Dog Walk right before. Crap. Literally. I’m going to have to REALLY pay attention. And bring some Charlie’s Soap, of course.

The Cold Rain

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5

“They” say one of the reasons people keep running marathons is that we have some kind of instinct to forget the pain and suffering, and only remember the highs. I don’t know if that’s true, but I notice the exact opposite happens when getting ready for a run on a cold rainy day. I dread it. All I can think of is that first uncomfortable mile. I hate being cold. We moved south in no small part because we were tired of the brutal winters.

However, once I’m warmed up, I love being active in cooler temps like 40 degrees. But I don’t seem to remember that when I’m bracing myself for that first barefoot step on cold cement.

Today I had Cold November Rain going through my head. Both the song and the chilly weather drenching my hat. My training plans are loose, but I had figured on going ten today. I didn’t have to, and was considering cutting it short while shivering through the first mile. Eventually my circulation kicked in and I could feel the ground again and was able to relax. Then the rain felt good, the cold pavement felt refreshing. Still, the first ten or so minutes of cold left me feeling a little worn out.

I do a 3.5 mile hilly loop around town three times for my hour and a half runs. The objective is to run each lap a little faster. Today was 30 min, 29 min, 27 min. The last lap felt good, but I was definitely done. “Done,” in my interpretation of Lydiard’s description, is feeling pleasantly tired but able to vacuum after toweling off. If I’m too tired to vacuum, I ran too hard/far and the wife is mad.

I vacuumed.

Anyway, great run in the cold rain, much better than anticipated. It seems like the miserable weather runs always are better. But then, I haven’t run in the 30′s yet…