A Long, Hot Run and a Short, Not Run

It’s been a cool summer…until the day I needed to run 10 miles in the afternoon.

Of course. And it was the only time I could go.

SATURDAY
I started off Saturday at 7 a.m. One and a half miles with Bennie (one of our boxers) before he left with Mr. T for the dog show. T Junior had a fever, so we stayed home. Mr. T returned around noon and I got ready for my run. But I also had to drop a couple things off at the post office. Just getting to the Cedar River Trail for my run took a while…as in I didn’t start running until 2 p.m.

I parked at a mid-way point on the trail. The plan for my 10-miler was to run in one direction (the no-shade direction) for the first half and then run the second half in the really shady and cool portion. The last four miles were to be at goal pace (8:47), so I was hoping most of those would be in the shade. Also, if I needed to refill my hydration belt, I could do that at the car…or I could quit and go home if I was too hot…okay, who am I kidding? If it’s on the schedule, I’m pretty much doing it.

Anyway, the first mile was me cursing at my hydration belt. It leaks. All. The. Time. I’m so over it. Got suggestions for a new one?

Then I was cursing myself. This is so dumb. $*#@#&. I’m going to die. &##(*#. It’s too hot. @*#&#. (It was about 82.) I should have worn a tank top. *##*!(*@. I think my earbud is sweaty. *@#(*!@.


The one thing that surprised me, though, was my pace. For as hot as I was, a 9:30 pace felt super easy. But I think it was the shoes.

Earlier, I examined the soles of my pink Saucony’s — the ones with 520 miles on them. They were worn down more than I realized. So, I had some pep in my step with my new shoes on!

The first 2.25 miles breezed by (I turned a little early because I remembered the shady direction was longer than 2.5 miles). A woman cyclist (wearing running shorts) passed me and said with a smile, “Long run?”

She looked familiar. One of you guys? Let me know! That sort of made my run, so thanks!

I planned this run perfectly, so that when my goal pace miles started, it was just before the shade. Also along the shady part of the trail — a public restroom and water fountain. I felt 100x better after I stopped, pottied and poured cool water under my hat and down the back of my shirt. Getting started again didn’t even seem too bad because the shade was cool and I was running into a little breeze.

Then I turned around. No breeze. But at least there was shade. I was doing pretty good — staying very close, if not right on, my goal pace. But I knew the last mile and a half would be in the sun. As I was about to leave the shady portion of the trail, a cyclist passed me in the opposite direction, and I swear he said, “Craaaaaayyyyzzzzeeeee.”

Once I got into the sun, I was toast. I held on for a while, but with about a quarter of a mile left, I had to stop.  I was feeling a little woozy. I knew I wasn’t going to pass out, but I didn’t want to push myself till I felt that bad. I stopped my watch and walked slowly. I could see my “finish line” (the parking lot). I could tell it was about a quarter mile. So I psyched myself up and I ran it in, but I didn’t try to hold my goal pace. I’d given up on that with about a half mile to go. I was just trying not to die.

I ran every step to my car to get to 10 miles and finally stopped my watch for good on the passenger side at 1:32:45.

Pace breakdown:
1: 9:38
2: 9:27
3: 9:28
4: 9:26
5: 9:39
6: 9:38
7: 8:47
8: 8:46
9: 8:47
10: 8:59

MONDAY
I got up at 6:30 a.m. and felt tired. Weird since I got 7-1/2 hours of sleep. I slowly got ready for a 4-mile recovery run. But I could tell my heart wasn’t in it. My heart was more interested in going back to bed. Usually, when this happens, a couple minutes of fresh air and I feel the excitement and joy of a run. But this morning was different.

It was hard. Really hard. And I wasn’t going for speed. Running at a slower pace was really, really hard. I felt heavy and out of breath. Four miles felt like 50. I didn’t even make it four miles, though.

I kept trying to get into a rhythm and I was just hating it. I never hate my runs. So, I stopped. I quit. I want running to be fun and if it’s not, I’m not going to push it. I trudged home. I made it 2.71 miles. I came home, showered and collapsed on the bed. I knew, though, that later I would try again later.

And I did. After a playdate and during T Junior’s nap. I fired up the treadmill. I busted out two sub-10 miles that felt good! Well, all felt good except my right foot.

I’m not sure what’s going on with my custom orthotics. It feels like it’s hitting my foot in a different place than it was in my old shoes. I have the same shoes, just a new model year. Do you think that makes a difference? They’re not made for the shoes, their made for my feet. The shoes are the same size as my old ones. It feels like a nerve on the bottom of my foot is hitting a ridge and it’s making my three far right toes go numb. Not good times. Ideas?

TOMORROW, ETC.
It’s race week! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! I’m not ready. I have no idea what to pack or anything. Haven’t even started. I can’t believe it’s only a few days till I’m running Hood to Coast. Nuts! My legs (4, 16, 28) will be at about 3:35 p.m. Friday, and 1:25 a.m. and 10:50 a.m. Saturday. That is, if I did the math right. So. My posts may be sporadic. I want to post what I’m going to wear and I have a giveaway to do, so I hope to get to those things this week!