13.1 Hopes at PR cut short :(
So I woke up late, 6:30AM instead of 6, and it was a not-so-balmy 25 degrees when I headed out the door in shorts, short spandex and a sweatshirt. The route I planned was to follow a major route (newly paved 2 years ago) that had a net elevation loss of 968' for the first half, but then consequently a net gain of the same amount on the way back - - funny how those things work! I started off fair enough, however, by mile 3ish I had started to feel the thunk thunk Tha-THunk of my frozen hair slamming against my cheek as I run (just one more reason I decided I need that haircut!!) I liked the first half, however I felt that I needed to turn around about a mile sooner than I wanted because I noticed something I knew would affect me on the way back (*There was a steady 12-15mph tailwind with me on the first half which I knew would equate to running directly into the wind the second half, all the way back, which the last four miles are a gradual uphill which takes its toll on you pretty quick). I mean, I have no idea why I'm complaining or discouraged. I still managed to cover 11.1 miles in 1:24:25 - a staggering and mind boggling (at least for slow puttsy me!) 7:36 PACE PER MILE!!!! I see already the benefits of putting in miles the last couple weeks. And I hope this is a sign of good things to come. Another hilight, the run pushed me over 50 miles this week. I can't remember the last time I was able to do that! And now that I have some food in me and am showered up, my legs feel fine. The knee and ankle pain is gone. Just realizing how much more I would like winter running if I lived in Arizona or New Mexico!!
I guess I'll have to plan another run in the near future to try to PR for the half marathon :-. | 