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

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Intersection Karma

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Let's see. The last run I did was my horrible 8-miler on Saturday, April 25th. So, last night was my first run in over a week.

I must have pleased the intersection karma gods because I managed to hit every intersection when there was little to no traffic and I barely had to wait at the one traffic light on my 3 mile route. This is probably my first outdoor run (other than the half-marathon) where I didn't have at least one pause. And look at my first two split times! Practically dead even.

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I didn't take any water with me and I wished I would have. I never used to need water on a short run like this but last night I sure did. I don't know if it's because I didn't drink enough during the day or what. I bet if I'd had some water to sip while running that I would have been just a little bit faster.

Anyway, it was a pretty decent run. However, I feel like I should be faster or that it should be easier. At what point does my long-distance training translate into faster short distance times? I know I can run a 5K in 27:23 (that's an average of 8:49 minutes per mile). I did that last November. So I keep thinking that I'm training even more now than I was then so my times should be even better! Am I wrong? I guess I'll find out in 15 days when I run that 3.5 mile race.

Now I'm trying to decide if I want to run to the gym and back tonight or drive there and do the elliptical after Pilates instead. Pros? I get my cardio in sooner. I'm fairly burnt out on the elliptical. The air conditioning might still be broken in the cardio equipment room at the gym (haven't been in a week so I don't know the status). Cons? If I run Wednesday and Thursday that will be four days of running a row. I don't usually run more than two in a row.

Decisions decisions.

While I weigh the options, I'll leave you with the stats from Monday night's run:


Activity
Route:--Elev. Avg:624 ft
Location:Forest Park, ILElev. Gain:+0 ft
Date:05/04/09Up/Downhill: [+45/-45]
Time:06:13 PMDifficulty:1.8 / 5.0
 
Weather:Overcast
 65 F temp; 27% humidity
 65 F heat index; winds E 14
Performance

Distance: 3.00 miles
Time:0:27:55
Speed:6.5 mph
Pace:9' 18 /mi
Calories:316
Map
 
Elevation (ft)
 
Pace (min/mile)
 
Splits
MilePace (min/mile)Speed (mph)Elevation
Gain
actual+/- avgactual+/- avg
19' 19+0' 016.4-0.0+4 ft
29' 21+0' 036.4-0.00 ft
39' 04-0' 146.6+0.2-4 ft
end8' 20-0' 587.2+0.70 ft
Versus average of 9' 18 min/mile

Posted from bimactive.com

3 comments:

Bayjb said...

I would do the run. Elliptical trainer after Pilates sounds very exhausting.

Anonymous said...

That is a really great pace to hold! How much effort was it? I it was really hard last night holding that pace for the first couple miles. And then I nearly killed myself with my two "strong" miles. I feel like I should be getting faster too. At least we're in similar situations!

I vote run to the gym, but do it EASY. Give yourself a LOT of time and go as slow as you can. Then it won't be too much running too many days in a row.

kilax said...

I keep hoping my endurance training means the Corp. Challenge will be a fast one too. But with 25K people running it? Who knows! ;)

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