Success or Failure

Tom grabbed the AM exercise slot today for a bicycle ride along the coast. I did the soccer practice shuffle and waited patiently for Tom’s return. He was due to be home around 1 pm, but didn’t actually make it home until 3 pm. By then, I had eaten enough calories that I was committed to running today.

Months ago I had committed to Hal’s V-Team that I would join in on a Virtual 26.2K race. There were even shirts printed up for the event. But, I didn’t actually do the training for it. The date sort of snuck up on me. Needless to say, I made a commitment to participate and I wanted to give it a try even if I didn’t go the full distance. So, with the plan to run 26.2 K (16.28 miles), I drove to the bike path.

My CIM training schedule called for a 5 mile pace run today and 8 mile long tomorrow. The longest that I have run since Grandma’s Marathon was 10 miles. So with the new CD Mix Crystal Method did for Nike, I began my run – thanks Running Chick. It was a nice mix of techno music that progressively picks up the rhythm. I pleasantly surprised that I was running a nice pace from the start. Although the garmin doesn’t pick up well on some parts of the trial, for this run I planned to manually click the laps at each mile marker. And so I ran…

Mile 1: 8:31- I passed the girl with the long ponytail wearing red. She looked tired and I wondered how long she had run already. I was just beginning and I was feeling good so far – but it was HOT out. I wondered how long that would last.

Mile 2: 8:08 – I was waving at people as I went by. There were hardly any runners out at this time of day. Lots of walkers were out for afternoon strolls. I breezed by and actually didn’t notice the pace of this mile until well after the run.

Mile 3: 8:42 – This was a odd mile. I took the trail out the opposite direction that I normally run. I ends quickly after 2 miles. I forgot about the odd mileage before it was too late. Wanting to continue using the mile markers (even though I was wearing my Garmin), I went to the end 2.40 and then continued up the street for 0.1 miles and turned back. The girl in red was by her car stretching and happy to be done. I said “good job” and ran past and back to the marker to complete the mile.

Mile 4: 9:09 – I was wondering what happened to my pace. It was hot and my head was wandering. I was beginning to wonder why I was out today doing this. I didn’t feel so good anymore. I just wasn’t into this.

Mile 5: 8:40 – I decided to call it quits here. I figured that I’d do either my scheduled 8 miler tomorrow in the morning when it is cool out. If I am feeling good, I’ll do 11.28 miles for the balance of the 26.2K. It was in this mile that I realized that it was the slowing pace of the music that was slowing the pace. I clicked past the song and into my running music set.

Total Run Time: 43:12
Pace: 8:38 minute/mile

The success or failure of my run today depends upon how you look at it. I was a success if you look at my “scheduled” 5 mile run to be done at my marathon race pace. I DID run 5 miles and I DID do it at race pace. Actually, I did it better than my race pace. I was a failure at the 26.2 K. I fell short of 11.28 miles…but who’s counting.

I’ll do better tomorrow.