I Leaf Running

Photo by Lenora

Fall is definitely here. Last night I found leaf bits in my socks after my run. Why? Because I ran through many a pile of leaves in the gutters last night.

I joined the OPRC for the regular Monday night run. The club president gave a brief talk about safety when you're running in the dark. I have my headlamp but I'm thinking I need to get a flasher or a reflective vest. Or maybe I need this top. The running store we start our runs at has it for sale and it's super-cute. And reflective.

Anyway, the run last night went surprisingly well for having raced hard the day before. In fact, if you subtract the pauses for traffic, my average pace last night was almost identical to my pace at the race on Sunday morning!

The interesting thing is that I ran the first 4 miles of my 5.4 mile run with a couple who was doing around 9 minute miles. So, of course, not wanting to give in and walk, I kept up with them. When we hit the park for our water break, though, I started out ahead of them but behind the rest of the group. I was running on my own for the last 1.4 miles. And it shows in my pace! Just proves what I've come to realize: without someone pushing me I'm not going to push myself. With the park break my pace for the last full mile was over 11 minutes. If you subtract the park break it was more like 9:49. Still, almost 30 seconds to a minute slower than any of the previous 4 miles.

I admit, though, that last 1.4 miles felt good. I felt strong. My form felt fabulous. I was enjoying running by myself in the dark through quiet neighborhoods and then through the small, bustling downtown area.

Arrived back at the store for water and chips and salsa. Chipotle has been super nice to us the past two weeks. They bring us the end-of-the-day chips and left over salsa to munch on after the run. Last week they brought guacamole, too!

Overall, it was a good run. I'm grateful that my runs are getting better. It makes me remember why I love doing it!

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Stats

Activity Route: -- Elev. Avg: 628 ft Location: Forest Park, IL Elev. Gain: +0 ft Date: 09/28/09 Up/Downhill: [+19/-19] Time: 06:35 PM Difficulty: 2.3 / 5.0   Weather: Overcast and Windy   58 F temp; 53% humidity   58 F heat index; winds W 29 G 40 Performance Distance: 5.43 miles Time: 0:49:39 Speed: 6.6 mph Pace: 9' 09 /mi Calories: 640 Map   Elevation (ft)   Pace (min/mile)   Splits Mile Pace (min/mile) Speed (mph) Elevation Gain actual +/- avg actual +/- avg 1 8' 58 -0' 11 6.7 +0.1 -3 ft 2 8' 32 -0' 37 7.0 +0.5 -9 ft 3 8' 54 -0' 15 6.7 +0.2 +3 ft 4 9' 18 +0' 09 6.5 -0.1 +7 ft 5 11' 07 +1' 58 5.4 -1.2 0 ft end 9' 20 +0' 11 6.4 -0.1 +3 ft Versus average of 9' 09 min/mile

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