The time of year has arrived when every run is timed and logged, but the time of every run is irrelevant. Summer has descended on east Tennessee, or at least the warm, humid weather that defines summer. Since I don’t adapt well to exercising in heat and humidity, my outdoor running season is usually over by late June. This year I have a goal of extending my outdoor season through July or maybe later. As a result, I will probably not sign up for summer races. Instead, I will find my challenge in the process of running itself.
I haven’t been writing about running recently. With an all purpose blog and limited time to write, I have been busy living and documenting birthdays and family times, events that I will treasure in the coming years. That said, I am out there about 3-4 times a week, logging in 3-5 miles with each run and I had a great 6-mile run today!
Today’s run was originally planned as a 4-miler but after reviewing my running log last night, I realized that my last 6 miler was April 9th and I began wondering if I could still do 6 miles. Physically I wasn’t worried, but I wasn’t so sure about the mental aspect. My mind seems to be going soft on uncomfortable exercise and has started to toss in negative thoughts.
Nevertheless, I woke up focused on running this morning. Ate breakfast early, worked a little on the computer and was out on Cherokee Blvd with iPod plugged into one ear, by 9:30 A. The first loop (3 miles) went well. I kept telling my self “slow and easy” and the negative thoughts stayed away. A little over halfway into the first loop, I looked up and saw a familiar figure running toward me. Kim was getting in her morning run too. We exchanged greetings but both of us were focused on our efforts and we didn’t stop to talk. Being the gracious person she always is, she shouted some compliments and encouragement, then she blew by me! (Happy Birthday Kim!!)
I kept her mostly in sight and continued to run. The sun felt intense on my back but the shade from an occasional tree and a slight breeze kept me relatively comfortable. Finally the end of the 1st loop was visible. Kim peeled off at the parking lot, she appeared to be in a hurry. I, on the other hand, circled around the grassy median and headed back for another 3 mile loop to complete a fine 6 mile run. The time was a painfully slow 1.14.16, a blistering 12.36 mmp. The second 3 mile loop felt much slower than the 1st but as I said in the first paragraph, time is irrelevant for me this time of year. Since my goal is to just keep running, I am pretty pleased with my efforts this morning!
The holiday weekend is almost here so Happy Memorial Day to all and be safe! John and I are talking about spending part of the weekend backpacking with Will, Kim and others but the electron microscope in John’s lab went *kaboom@# and he is feeling much stress to get it fixed quickly. Friday’s success on the microscope repair will determine if we backpack or if John will spend Memorial Day in the lab.
