I Must Be Mental

Yesterday was another one of those summer preview days. 80 and sunny at lunch time. The perfect day to sit outside and enjoy the weather. Not so perfect for running.

In addition, I was doing a presentation at work in the morning and completely forgot to take any water with me to drink. So by the time the lunch hour came around my water intake was significantly less than usual.

Combine lack of hydration with a sunny 80 degree day? That equals running disaster! The first mile wasn't so bad. The second mile was a little rough. I was so happy to stop at the water fountain near the turn around point. On the way back I started to fall behind. Once again half of us stopped to get free Italian ice samples and yet another drink from yet another fountain. The break seemed to energize the rest of the group but it left me struggling. If I had been by myself I would have walked. I probably should have walked. I admit, I was feeling a little dizzy and spacey. One guy even asked if I was okay. But instead of walking I just told myself I could slow down. So, I trudged.

I've never been so happy for a red light in all my life. I managed to make it back to the starting point and catch up with my half of the group. I felt totally wiped out, though. And sweaty! Normally I don't shower after a lunch time run (cue the ewwwwing) and can get by with washing my face and using some Kleenex Splash 'n Go wipes and refreshing my deodorant and make-up. Not yesterday. Of course, I wasn't prepared for a full shower so instead I just rinsed off quickly and made due with my hand towel.

Now I'm trying to remember how I managed to run at lunch last summer. I started running with this group in June! I guess I go through this transition ever year, though. It just takes so long to get used to the hotter weather.

However, when I looked at my Garmin splits from this run I was confused. According to the Garmin, subtracting for pauses, I ran negative splits and even though I felt like I was dying in Mile 4 I was actually running faster than half marathon pace.

Mile 1 - 9:44.51
Mile 2 - 9:15.77
Mile 3 - 9:12.28
Mile 4 - 9:05.49
Mile .84 - 9:36 pace

Yet, when I uploaded the Garmin data to Bones in Motion I got something completely different:

Splits Mile Pace (min/mile) Speed (mph) Elevation Gain actual +/- avg actual +/- avg 1 9' 39 +0' 17 6.2 -0.2 +7 ft 2 9' 14 -0' 08 6.5 +0.1 -20 ft 3 9' 16 -0' 06 6.5 +0.1 +3 ft 4 10' 45 +1' 23 5.6 -0.8 +13 ft end 9' 46 +0' 24 6.1 -0.3 +7 ft Versus average of 9' 22 min/mile

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Granted, we paused for Italian ice right around mile 4 and that pause might have added some time. But, really? I was running a 9:05 when it felt as though I was trudging through sand and trying not to pass out? I know I shouldn't focus so much on pace and focus more on effort but if I'm really capable of running like that then I KNOW much of my fear of being able to run "fast" is mental. Listen, if anyone ever tells you that running is not a mental sport they are lying. I'm proof.

Also, the Bones in Motion information is totally lying about the weather. It was sunny. So very, very sunny. But it *was* windy. There was definitely a point where the wind was so strong it felt as though we weren't moving. Or, as I said to the group, "Holy crap."

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Activity Route: -- Elev. Avg: 592 ft Location: Chicago, IL Elev. Gain: +6 ft Date: 04/15/10 Up/Downhill: [+170/-164] Time: 12:16 PM Difficulty: 2.5 / 5.0   Weather: Mostly Cloudy and Windy   81 F temp; 26% humidity   78 F heat index; winds SW 26 G 37 Performance Distance: 4.84 miles Time: 0:45:20 Speed: 6.4 mph Pace: 9' 22 /mi Calories: 563 Map   Elevation (ft)   Pace (min/mile)

Posted from bimactive.com