A story of going from being a non-runner to planning for a marathon in three years...

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Good Afternoon


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Several times on my Saturday run I ran through showers of white fluff. Summer's version of snow, I guess, is slowly drifting dandelion seeds (actually, I've just been informed they are cottonwood seeds). One of the things I love about running is that it gets me outside way more than I ever did before I began running. I get to experience the seasons and all the different things that they bring in ways I never have before.

One of the things that running cannot do, however, is turn me into a morning person. Operation Do Long Runs At The Same Time As Race Time is pretty much a 50% failure. It seems that I can only get my butt out the door and on the path by 8 AM every other week. This Saturday I ended up doing my 9 miles starting at 12:15 PM.

The most aggravating thing about running the afternoon versus the morning? My runs are SO MUCH BETTER in the afternoon. Seriously. Compare this week's 9 miles done in the afternoon to last week's 8 miles done in the morning:

Morning:

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Afternoon:

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I could tell during the first mile that this was going to be an awesome run. I felt strong. Running felt easy. I had to try and slow myself down as opposed to talking myself into continuing to run. I had time to appreciate the beauty in the scenery. Like these gorgeous wild purple flowers:



And the humorous graffiti that wasn't there last week. Nice to know I have a friendly (if slightly stoned looking) owl keeping an eye on me:



I admit that I did stop and walk while eating my Sport Beans just after the halfway point and that I slowed to a quick walk around mile 8.3 to drink some water. The second half of my run was harder than the first half. I think I ate too many Beans and drank too much water too fast and my stomach felt cramp-y and gassy. And then I got a rock in my shoe I had to stop and deal with. But, after about a mile I felt much better.

However, I'm still worried about the early morning that my next half-marathon necessitates. I'm also worried about the hills, but, to be honest, I'm more concerned about running the morning. Anyone have any suggestions?

Maybe looking at the stats will give you a better idea of how much more I love afternoon running.


Activity
Route:--Elev. Avg:622 ft
Location:Brookfield, ILElev. Gain:+0 ft
Date:05/30/09Up/Downhill: [+226/-226]
Time:12:11 PMDifficulty:2.8 / 5.0
 
Weather:Mostly Cloudy
 65 F temp; 50% humidity
 65 F heat index; winds S 7
Performance

Distance: 9.00 miles
Time:1:29:11
Speed:6.1 mph
Pace:9' 55 /mi
Calories:841
Map
 
Elevation (ft)
 
Pace (min/mile)
 
Splits
MilePace (min/mile)Speed (mph)Elevation
Gain
actual+/- avgactual+/- avg
19' 51-0' 046.1+0.0-6 ft
29' 38-0' 176.2+0.2+9 ft
39' 44-0' 116.2+0.1+7 ft
49' 32-0' 236.3+0.2-3 ft
511' 01+1' 065.4-0.6+4 ft
69' 34-0' 216.3+0.2+3 ft
79' 27-0' 286.3+0.3-10 ft
810' 52+0' 575.5-0.5-10 ft
99' 52-0' 036.1+0.0+7 ft
end10' 33+0' 385.7-0.40 ft
Versus average of 9' 55 min/mile

Posted from bimactive.com

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have the same problem with early morning long runs. I just can't seem to get out the door before 10am, and even when I do it feels like pulling teeth. So, I've stopped trying. I figure I have to much else going for me on race day (adrenaline, other people) that it might make up for it. Plus, I plan ahead to make my morning runs as much like afternoon runs as possible. I get up SUPER early. For my last half I got up at 4:30 even though the race started at 8 and was only 25 minutes away. I made sure to eat a good breakfast (toast, banana & cottage cheese - even though I never normally eat breakfast, part of what makes me happy during afternoon runs I think is the fact that I've had lunch). I make sure I've gotten plenty of sleep the week (not just the night) before - same with hydration.

Oz Runner said...

nice job on the runs...it seems i'm faster in the afternoons as well, i think my body is more loosened up....on my morning runs it usually takes me a couple miles before i'm awake and into the run...

kilax said...

What do you think it is that makes you run better in the afternoon? More well rested? More food in your system? I do see the difference!

I prefer to run at about 6 AM but I rarely get to. I am not sure if my stats are any better, but it feels better to me then, at least in the summer when it is so frickin' hot!

Unknown said...

I say you do your 8 am runs every other week then - make that your plan so that you dont feel discouraged! Im sure with the summer approaching, you'll want to get those runs in early so you dont melt!

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