jump to navigation

RUN Week 12, Saturday 1/28 - Run #1 January 29, 2006

Posted by Amber D. Evans in : Running, Blacksburg VA, Training Stats , trackback

"I feel bruised from within."

Context

City, State: Blacksbur, VA.
Location: Trail.
Course: 8-mile NRV Huckleberry [map].
Terrain: Hilly; paved.
Distance & Time: 7.89 miles; 01:14:46.
Pace, Speed & RPE: 9:28/mi; 6.3 mph; 6 (somewhat harder).
HRR: 154-174 (Aerobic High).
HR(avg.): 171 bpm.

Saturday, January 28, 2006

The Run

Synopsis

Overall

I feel bruised from within. The 8-mile run was fine. It was the later 5-mile run/walk with the dog that was the clincher. I think my legs are on fire. They feel HOT. And this is even after a three-hour nap, and three meals later.

The get-up and go this morning was awesome. I got up at 5:00 AM to make my PBBJ toast and Gatorade chaser (the Tangerine flavor is awesome!). Then I ran around getting dressed, trying to find my fleece headband, keys, and water bottle. I probably should've done that last night because then Kashia must have been tired of waiting for me out in the car because I heard the single “honk” outside and knew I was late. (When am I not? Sheesh.) I hopped into her car and was shocked at how cold it was outside, but glad to be going.

The ride was short, but we crammed a lot of chatting in. I haven't seen her over a week b/c our shedules have been opposite. She's going to do her first Tri this year–inspired by my talking about it! How cool is that? To date, that's four people I've recruited into this chaos (Sam, Jenn, Josh, and Kashia). I also found out that she, too, hates Blockbuster for their past ridiculous return practices/policies and so we both use Netflix (speaking of which, I saw House of Flying Daggers last night and I have to say, it's my favorite of all the ones to have come out in that genre. It's such a perfect human tragedy with the excellent cinematography I've come to expect from such productions.)

We arrived, I met more people than names I can remember, and after short time, we set up for “two on top” which means two miles around the mall waiting for sunrise before setting off on the trail below. I ran those two miles (flats) faster than normal for me. But I don't get to run too many flats nowadays. It ran those two in 8:05/mi and 8:14/mi, respectively. Heading from there we dropped down the trail and immediately started a slow, but steady, not-too-steep climb uphill towards Warm Hearth station. The scenery was all new to me. It was hard to focus on pacing and running becuase I just wanted to spend all my time looking around. It is definitely easier to say that miles 4.0 through 5.76 on the Huckleberry are the more interesting ones. There's this neat cravass we run through, a rickety-looking wooden covered bridge that crosses over the train tracks far below, the Corning rail bypass and junction, the old Merrimac Mine Site, and icefalls all along the way. I'm taking my camera and going for a walk 'round there sometime soon.

The run itself was starting to wear thin by mile 6 b/c of a side cramp that just wouldn't go away. I know it's because of breakfast … I ate too closely to running. I hate that when it happens, but you do what you can. Eventually, it subsided to a dull ache and I was able to continue on. Coming back was much easier, I have to say. The old adage is true, what goes up, must come down. Hallelujah! I didn't keep pace with Diann or Kashia, but I out-paced the two other ladies that I started out running with. I am happy with my performance and am feeling relatively confident about the upcoming half-marathon. Next week I'll have a 14-mile run to do. This is fun. It's neat to find myself saying, “Oh, sure, I can do that,” and not give it another thought. Now, if only I could find myself thinking that about swimming right now … Hmmmmmmm …

Comments»

no comments yet - be the first?