Last But Fast

Photo by Tim Norris


I came thisclose to skipping my run on Monday night. I was stressed out about getting all my Christmas shopping and decorating done. But what's better than running as a cure for stress? Not much, in my book.

So, I bundled up and met the group. It certainly wasn't the best run of my life. I was definitely at the very back for 99% of the run. I wasn't in the mood to run fast, though, so towards the end I let myself drop back and run at my own pace. It's so funny, though, when you start out fast and then slow down how slooooow you feel. I was still running a 9:15 or faster pace but I would have sworn I was doing 10 minute miles. Although, if you look at the pace graph, I was getting close. My attempt to keep up with a new guy who was running 8 minute miles may be the only thing that kept my average pace around 9 minutes.

Afterward I chatted with a few people who do the long run on Saturday mornings with the group. I've never gone because it hasn't fit my schedule. I was debating joining them after the first of the year, but now I'm not so sure. Apparently the "slow" people run 9 minute miles. For 10 miles. While that is my goal race pace for longer distances, I'm not there yet! And I don't think it's a good idea to kill myself every Saturday morning. In fact, I've been killing myself almost every time I've run with a group lately and it's starting to take a toll. Last night I could barely get to sleep because of various aches and pains. Not a good sign.

So, with that in mind, instead of running yesterday I did 30 minutes (3 miles) on the elliptical and then did the "Shoulders" weight lifting workout the workout program told me to do. I'm SO glad it didn't make me do Legs again :-)

My plan was to run on Thursday morning before heading in to work in the afternoon. But, it's now blizzard season in Chicago so we'll have to see what the weather and the sidewalks look like tomorrow morning.

After our runs on Monday nights we stand around outside stretching and chatting. Those of us that were at the running group holiday party last week brought up one of the topics we talked about at the party: embarrassing extracurricular activities in high school and college. It all started when I said I didn't run in high school but instead I was on the dance team. Everyone thought this was hilarious and embarrassing. So, I made everyone else share their embarrassing extracurricular activity. Other running group members judged cattle, tasted cheese and milk, impeached the president of the photography club (and then became president), and belonged to the safety club (whatever that is). So, now I ask you: what's the most "embarrassing" extra curricular activity you did in high school (or college)?

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Monday Night's Stats

Activity Route: -- Elev. Avg: 628 ft Location: Forest Park, IL Elev. Gain: +3 ft Date: 12/07/09 Up/Downhill: [+22/-19] Time: 06:32 PM Difficulty: 2.7 / 5.0   Weather: Overcast   31 F temp; 74% humidity   31 F heat index; winds W 6 Performance Distance: 5.43 miles Time: 0:48:59 Speed: 6.7 mph Pace: 9' 01 /mi Calories: 638 Map   Elevation (ft)   Pace (min/mile)   Splits Mile Pace (min/mile) Speed (mph) Elevation Gain actual +/- avg actual +/- avg 1 8' 43 -0' 18 6.9 +0.2 0 ft 2 8' 50 -0' 11 6.8 +0.1 -9 ft 3 9' 02 +0' 01 6.6 -0.0 +3 ft 4 9' 15 +0' 14 6.5 -0.2 +7 ft 5 9' 12 +0' 11 6.5 -0.1 0 ft end 9' 12 +0' 11 6.5 -0.1 +3 ft Versus average of 9' 01 min/mile

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