We didn't go running yesterday. Kip's ankle was bad and we decided to take a break. Instead we stayed home, pigged out and have arguments. That's what quitting smoking with no exercise does for you. We ended the day watching the twilight saga on video, drinking beer and eating unhealthy snacks... but even when we both really wanted to smoke yesterday we didn't. It was clear to us that no matter what a cigarette wasn't part of the plan.
Today Kip decided not to run. We went to bed quite late yesterday so we slept in. If you sleep in in other parts of the world you may still be able to go running. Today we were kind of lucky because you can't really expect to be able to go running if you get up later than 7 AM. It gets absurdly hot and the sun is really aggressive. We had a storm last night, though, so the weather was nice this morning. We got up at 8, but we decided that we could go to the track, so we did. The plan was I would run, Kip would walk with me for warming up and cooling down. So we did the warming up. It was pretty hot and sunny but there was some nice breeze. At the end of the warming up stage I debated whether I wanted to run at all because it got super hot. At that point there was no body in the track. I decided that I would run with a hat. Kip asked me to try to run faster despite the heat. To try to beat 9 minutes (the plan was to run a mile only because it was too hot to expect more). So I did. I decided that running faster was also a good plan to be under the heat for less time, so I started at a fast pace. I managed to maintain a fastish pace for the entire mile, only slowing down when I had the wind against me. Then I picked up again. I was breathing heavy and it hurt in my throat when I breathed but I continued feeling the air in and out. I increased the speed for the last 100 meters or so. Kip was there cheering for me. 8'33''. I could believe it because I knew I had gone faster. It felt great. Now I have to try to be under 9' from now on...
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Merche, that's great! 8:33 is an awesome pace. I remember how that heat can be. The pain in the throat and chest is pretty normal - if you ever get a chance to run in cold weather you'll get very well acquainted with it. I'm so proud of you for not smoking.
ReplyDeleteWow! That's awesome! I wish I could maintain an 8'30" pace--the mind says yes, but the legs say no. Again, just be really careful with the heat-- make sure you drink lots of fluids before and after. It's all too easy to get dehydrated. I was doing a metric century last August and it was in the 90s with no shade. I def. was not drinking enough and at one point around the 55th mile or so I stopped sweating and started getting chills. Next came abdominal and leg cramps. I felt really awful and made myself start drinking- a lot! Fortunately we only had another 10 miles to ride and I made it, but I could have easily ended up in the ER. You can't be too careful! Good job on resisting the nicotine- I know that takes incredible self-control and I applaud your commitment to resist! Good luck to Kip at the 5K!
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