I knew it was going to be one of those days when I arrived at the "meeting" place. Mark and I were supposed to meet at about 5:35 am at Longleaf to get 5 miles in before joining the rest of the group at Starky Park. I prepared as usual the night before...except for my shoes.
My wife and children have long since forbidden the storage of my running shoes anywhere in the house or any enclosed area where people might have to enter. I found that by removing the inserts, rinsing them out and haning them on the towel rack out on the pool deck makes for the least offensive and most convenient way to care for my shoes and preserve peace in my home.
Back the to the morning. I arrive a little ahead of schedule and begin my routine of putting on my shoes & socks, applying Curad nipple guards, and taking those last few sips of morning coffee. That's when I noticed I had no inserts... In an effort to "be angry and sin not" I gained composure, put on a second pair of socks, and prepared for yet a new first in my running experience. I now have a new PR: 14 miles in shoes with no inserts!
The run was quite amusing with the Armadillo drive by and a turkey that actually ran with us 20 or 30 yards. I set a new record at BGP (that's Bathroom Goal Pace) right at the first 5 mile mark. It was a brief but timely stop and I am greatful to the good people of Pasco County for building such a convenient monument to indoor plumbing.
I made the call at the 9.5 mark to turn back and try to finish the last 4 miles in a comfortable yet faster pace. At that moment, a group of Suncoast Striders came blazing up. I thought, "I gotta go with em!" My thought was that I would hang with them for a mile or so just to stretch my legs and then drop back and finish in an 8:40 or so pace. As it turns out I got behind Katie & Dave and cruise the next mile at 7:40. After that, Katie and I just fell into a tempo and were literally stride for stride. Katie is a former collegiate rower and a deisal engine of a work horse. She was like a metronome. I just hung on for the ride. We finished the last there miles all in 7:30 to 7: 40 pace (For those of you that have forgotten, that's fast for a slow runner).
What a VICTORY! This is the first strong finish to a long run that I have had in about 9 weeks. I've been crashing almost every long run somewhere around 11 to 12 miles. I just have nothing left. Today, whether it was the slow consistant pace which Mark kept us earlier or the adrenalin of running with a faster group, I just felt free. That sluggish feeling went away and I didn't think about how tired I was. AND I had plenty left at that pace. It seems that 7:35 to 7:45 is just a good stride for me.
Now, back to getting more sleep (7 hrs min.) and staying healthy one more week!
Time: 5:45 am Total Time: 2:02 (8:43 avg)
Temp: 79º Humidity: 77% | 