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

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Easy Like Sunday Morning



Isn't that a beautiful sight? Blooming trees, a sunny sky, a path that goes forever?

Normally I do my long runs on Saturday mornings but now that it's spring the running club has started their monthly Sunday trail runs. When I saw that this month's would be on a path I hadn't run before I signed right up! Although I tend to run slower than the rest of the group when I do my long runs I feel better about joining them when we do an out and back route. Hard for me to get lost that way!

I admit I was a little nervous this morning about being the slowpoke and making everyone wait on me to go to breakfast. Turns out I needn't have worried. I had a buddy all the way and we didn't even finish completely last!

When I dragged myself out of bed this morning I was having a difficult time figuring out what to wear. It was chilly at 7AM but I knew that after running for 2 hours it would be warmer. So I opted for capris, a tank top, and a long sleeved top. Although I pushed up the sleeves on the top after a few miles, I was otherwise perfect.

In fact, I would say that this morning was the perfect morning to run. Cool, a slight breeze that only picked up a few times, sunny but on a semi-shady path. I didn't bring water since there were a few water fountains and although I stuffed a package of sports beans in my pocket I never ate them.

I got a rock in my shoe within the first two miles but I just kept running. I barely even noticed it and it didn't cause me any problems. I was enjoying chatting with the woman running beside me, taking in the small towns and then the natural scenery on our rails-to-trails path, and just generally loving running. I did, however, remove the rock when we turned around at mile 5.5.

On the way back our conversation died a little bit but I still felt nice and strong. My hip flexors started talking to me a little bit around mile 9 but otherwise I was in good shape. In fact, I probably could have sped up some but I didn't want to leave my fellow "slowpoke" too far behind.

Overall I did eleven miles with only a few pauses. One to remove the rock from my shoe, one to grab a drink at a fountain, and one for traffic. I never once thought I wouldn't be able to finish and I never once felt like walking. A far, far cry from the last time I ran this distance.

Afterward a big group of us went out to breakfast. I ordered pumpkin pancakes, two eggs, and fruit. And I ate every single thing on my plate. And it was good :-)

I can't think of a better way to spend a Sunday morning.

***************************


Activity
Route:--Elev. Avg:701 ft
Location:Elmhurst, ILElev. Gain:+0 ft
Date:04/18/10Up/Downhill: [+252/-252]
Time:08:09 AMDifficulty:2.9 / 5.0
 
Weather:Fair
 48 F temp; 49% humidity
 48 F heat index; winds Vrbl 6
Performance

Distance: 11.04 miles
Time:1:48:48
Speed:6.1 mph
Pace:9' 51 /mi
Calories:1313
Map
 
Elevation (ft)
 
Pace (min/mile)
 
Splits
MilePace (min/mile)Speed (mph)Elevation
Gain
actual+/- avgactual+/- avg
19' 36-0' 156.2+0.2+10 ft
29' 38-0' 136.2+0.1+29 ft
39' 40-0' 116.2+0.1+4 ft
49' 43-0' 086.2+0.1-3 ft
59' 48-0' 036.1+0.0-3 ft
69' 51+0' 006.1-0.0+13 ft
710' 02+0' 116.0-0.1-17 ft
89' 59+0' 086.0-0.1+9 ft
910' 04+0' 136.0-0.1-3 ft
109' 54+0' 036.1-0.0-29 ft
1110' 04+0' 136.0-0.1-9 ft
end9' 10-0' 416.5+0.40 ft
Versus average of 9' 51 min/mile

Posted from bimactive.com

6 comments:

Anne said...

That sounds like a perfect Sunday morning! Feeling a little jealous...but, I know I'll have one of those again one day...probably soon :)

Jessica (Bayjb) said...

That is a great picture. And you are a champion for running with a rock in your shoe. I could NOT do that. I get so focused on it that I have to remove it. Urgh.

Anonymous said...

That really does sound like a perfect Sunday morning! I just love this weather....it has me itching to go outside.

Andrea (Off Her Cork) said...

Nice long run Erin! :D I did 11 miles last week too and it also went much better than the previous run. I did have a few bumps but no biggie. :) I love Sunday morning long runs, they are so much more peaceful and quiet.

kilax said...

What an awesome run! Did you run with the same woman you usually run with on Monday nights?

I ended up wearing almost the exact same thing (t-shirt instead of tank) and pushed up my sleeves as well. It would be nice if the half was at that temp.

And it is SO AWESOME that this 11-miler was so easy for you! Well, not easy, but easier than the last one. That is the cool thing about running - it's so easy to see progress! :)

kilax said...

What an awesome run! Did you run with the same woman you usually run with on Monday nights?

I ended up wearing almost the exact same thing (t-shirt instead of tank) and pushed up my sleeves as well. It would be nice if the half was at that temp.

And it is SO AWESOME that this 11-miler was so easy for you! Well, not easy, but easier than the last one. That is the cool thing about running - it's so easy to see progress! :)

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