Running in Life's Slow Lane

Finding time to run has proven harder than the actual running. Today though we were able to find time as clouds moved in to shade us from the harsh sun.

5.00 mi in 58:12 @ 11:38/mi with 156 bpm HRavg.

Paces: 12:26, 12:01, 11:29, 11:28, 10:46

Location: Elmer Thomas Park, Lawton, Oklahoma

After reaching my hotel late in the afternoon I managed to go for a short jog ahead of dinner. Rain showers were in the area so humidity was brutal. Somehow Fortuna graced me as heavy downpours started within 10 minutes of my return to the hotel.

 4.00 mi @ 12:08/mi.

For some reason my Garmin had reset itself and was using the factory defaults which means I did not get any of my usual data.

Location: UCF area of Orlando, FL

Ugh. If it wasn't for the rain clouds that built up during the last few miles of my run I swear I may have melted into a puddle right on the sidewalk.

8.00 mi in 1:40:07 @ 12:31/mi burning 880 calories.

Paces: 12:23, 12:14, 11:56, 12:02, 12:39, 12:59, 12:45, 13:08

I got too spunky during the early miles and really struggle towards the end.

Location: W on University to Semoran and back, Orlando, Fl

Heavy rains and lightning forced me to jog on the treadmill for today's miles. Definitely not my favorite way to exercise but it is better than the electrifying alterntive.

Location: Hampton Inn on Quadrangle, Orlando, FL

Found a new running trail not too far from the hotel and explored it a bit today. Got to see it during part of a torrential downpour and was very glad to find a church along the way with an awning available. It didn't stop me from getting soaked but let me avoid the worst of the storm.

3.00 mi in 35:46 @ 11:54/mi.

Location: J. Blanchard Park, Orlando, FL

The Orlando Runners Club hosted the Race Into Summer 5K at J Blanchard Park which is a short distance from my hotel so I decided to join them today. The course was an out-and-back on the concrete Little Econ Greenway starting near the YMCA and heading west. The event seemed well organized and the race shirt is even a tech shirt so it was worth showing up at 0730.

The humidity was oppressive and I was drenched from my 1.00 mile warm up jogs.

I pushed myself in the first mile and managed about 09:40 for the first 0.75 mi before dropping off to finish at 10:06. After that I just tried to find a comfortable pace to finish the race, clocking the second mile at 11:21 and third mile at 11:57. The last mile seemed dreadful as I was running directly into the sun and the heat just seemed to be baking my face. I am not at all accustomed to the humidity so it felt like I was boiling in my own juices.

So, overall I am happy with the results. I have been focusing on adding distance and duration to my runs rather than watching my pace. Once the heat of the summer has passed and I have my mileage goals met perhaps I will look at doing more to improve my pace. But, I am okay with being a tortoise as long as I am a healthier tortoise.

Location: Blanchard Park, Orlando, FL