Night runs on Thursday-Saturday are great because everyone is out at the bars drunk. I love to run by them. I was wearing my compression socks pulled high up and short shorts, looking like a complete idiot. Money!
Loaded up the Garmin. Turned on the iShuffle. First song to come on was Rocky, Gonna Fly Now. Awesome! I got totally pumped up right off the bat so I decided to run by the bars. Always extra motivation.
I started with what felt like 7 minute miles. I had visions of winning the Ironman! Passed by some drunk chicks. Yelled hello to them. Passed by some homeless people. Waved to them. Was getting some very weird looks. I was feeling awesome, if not like Chris McCormack, then like Rocky. I must have played that song at least 10 times throughout the run.
Got to the first mile split. Was expecting at least 7:30s if not lower.
Looked at the Garmin. 9 minute miles. Shit! Realizing that I was going too slow to be wearing short shorts and compression socks and pumping my fist wildly in the air, I soon put my head down, stopped waving to everyone and switched my route. I had to do little detour so I didn't run by the bars again.
I then ran toward the wilderness park, which can actually be a little scary at night. But then as I was getting there, I finally settled in without too much more effort (I wasn't wearing a HR monitor though) and then completely got in a zone. I gradually picked up the pace for the remainder of the run. This was the best run I have had in a long time. Total run. 10.26 miles. 1:22:14. 8:00min/mi.
As soon as I got home, I turned on the tent. It takes at least 30 minutes to load up. (I am now at 10,200 feet). So I covered up the clock by the bike and got on for what I initially thought was going to be 30 minutes. Once on though, I felt pretty good and seriously wanted to stay on for 100 miles. That would have been stupid and ruined the weekend's training as well as work tomorrow. So I let myself go for the hour and then got off. 20 miles. 185w. Landed up being a very fun workout.
I'm going to have to try running by the bars sometime, except I fall asleep to early. Do you plan on any half's or olympics before IMFL?
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's definitely fun.
ReplyDeleteI am not signed up for any races between now and IMFL. But I think I should do one to get mentally prepared for Nov 1 and simulate race conditions/mentality.
The one problem with racing is that Saturday and Sunday generally tend to be my big training days and so I would rather train and get the volume in then do a race. It's also tought to fly out on Friday for a weekend because of work. And of course, I wouldn't taper for it.