Even though I didn't have time to post my workout to Running Ahead this morning, I assure you that I ran this morning. It was a great run with no real downside to it. The weather was perfect for running: 37 degrees with absolutely no wind and a little cloud cover to keep the warmth from escaping into space. It was the no wind part that I particularly appreciated, as it seems that January through about mid-March is the windiest time of the year. Not today though!
37 degrees might sound cold for running, but believe me, when you get going and warm up, you feel great! The cold air helps regulate your body temperature so you stay cooler longer and hotter...shorter? Basically I wasn't overheated until the very end fo my run and even then my body cooled off quickly but not so fast as to threaten hypothermia.
The only thing going against me this morning was that I woke up about 15 minutes late, which put me about 15 minutes behind the entire morning. I didn't get running until 6:25. Ideally I'd like to be on the road by about 6:10 or earlier to give me plenty of time to walk back to the apartment afterwards. As it stood, I had to run from the Inner Harbor back to my apartment after finishing the actual work out, which wasn't too bad, but not as relaxing as I prefer.
Another great thing about this morning's run: I picked up the pace AND totally beat this guy who was trying to pass me. I think my average pace was somewhere in the low 8:00's, which is awesome. I know that after 2.5 miles my average pace was 8:02...pretty fast for me. And while I was winded, I wasn't totally exhausted, as I was able to get a full 4 miles in without too much trouble. As I was running around the Inner Harbor after going through Harbor East, I could hear some footsteps behind me and knew I was being stalked. I kept my pace steady (I think; I didn't look at my Garmin) all the way past the Science Center and around the corner. His steps kept getting louder though so I picked it up just a tad and sure enough, the steps faded away. Now, tha could have been due to my heavy breathing, but I got to my stopping point by the Rusty Skupper with time to spare as he came shuffling up behind me. He must have run up into Federal Hill because after I stretched my Achilles and ran onto Key Highway, he was nowhere to be seen. He could also have gone behind some parked cars to heave and catch his breath and cry a little tear after getting whopped, I don't know.
I will get my butt up earlier tomorrow so I can get a full 5 miles in before work. Then it's a rest day on Thursday (I really need to start cross training with some intensity and regularity so Thursday is as good a day as any to do that). I'm taking Friday off so in the morning I will do my 10 ro 11 mile long run. Then I'm taking the Jeep up to Timonium to get an oil change AND to pick up my race packet and T-Shirt for Sunday's Shamrock 5K, which is the first race of the 2008 racing season! Right now Weahter.com is calling for windy conditions (see? I told you. Windiest time of the year) and a high around 49. I'm hoping that changes in the coming days and the temp goes a little higher so it's a nice day, but even 49 won't be bad at all.
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