Sunday, June 22, 2014

A Better Run

Last weekend's "long run" (5.5 miles) was tough. Despite getting out the door before 6am and having a bit of cool weather (75 degrees), I was lethargic and tired during the entire run, and had to take a couple walk breaks to get my breathing right.

This weekend's run was worlds better.

I started before sunrise at 5:50am. It was so hot already (85 degrees!) that I decided to do something I never do...run in just my sports bra. It was so dark out that I felt comfortable, and I only passed one other person the entire time I was out, so I never felt exposed or self-conscious. 
Nothing like starting a run by the light of the moon.
Despite the early hour, high humidity, and lack of breeze, I felt amazing the minute I started running. My quads were still a little sore from speed work on Friday, but moving was just what they needed. I easily picked up a pace over a minute per mile faster than last week's run, and stuck to it. Maybe I'm finally acclimating to summer.
The beginning of the run.
Matt uses Nuun when he races, and today was the first time I used his. I don't know why I waited so long; I think having it in my water bottle really helped. Also, my speedwork timer was still turned on, so every quarter-mile I was reminded of my pace. That helped the run fly by.
I saw this little guy around mile 2.
Today was a good day for wildlife, too. I saw a snake, deer, and a rabbit. My Sub30 group always counts rabbits on their runs but I rarely see them. I saw him right near the end, and he gave me that extra boost I needed.
Two deer across the lake.
My blurry rabbit friend.
I meant to stick my feet in my parents' pool after the run, but the water was so perfect I just slipped right in. I sat in the water on the shallow ledge to stretch, then held onto the edge and kicked a bit to work out my legs. It was seriously the best way to recover.
I finished just as the sun rose completely. Perfection.
Pool time!
My splashing woke their dog, which woke them. My dad came out to see what was going on and gave me the oddest look. I think he assumed I was just swimming at 7am, and didn't realize I had already been out running for an hour!
I felt such a great run deserved a treat for breakfast!
I seriously love a run that feels amazing the entire time, despite feeling challenging. It was the perfect marriage of difficulty and enjoyment! I'm so excited to get back out there and do it again!

As for Matt's SUP race...the conditions were really rough. 14 of the 43 racers doing the 6-miler took a DNF! (Between the two distances offered, over a quarter of the racers dropped.) Matt has never fallen off his board in a race before and fell off about half a dozen times. Despite that, he refused to quit, and earned 2nd in his division. I'm so beyond proud of him for sucking it up and getting it done.
Here's a peek at how the water looked pre-race, although the photo doesn't do it justice; Matt used my board because the conditions were too rough for his race board.
He also experienced chafing for the first time, so now he knows how we runners feel!

We were at the beach from 8:30am to nearly 4pm, and had a nice little setup going with our tent and chairs. I was smart about my sunscreen this time and got a nice little tan, but no burn. Overall, this was one of those weekends you wish could just keep going!

Did you run long or race this weekend?
What kinds of wildlife do you usually see on the run?

ABK

15 comments:

  1. Your weekend sounds amazing....I can hear your excitement about your run and about Matt's race. It's one of those weekends that you hope you can repeat every weekend throughout the summer! I can imagine your dad's look as he encountered you in the pool. Funny!!!

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    1. Yes, exactly, I wish I could relive it! It was such a perfect one.

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  2. PS....I've nominated you for the Inspiring Bloggers Award. Every day that I read your blog, you inspire me to want to try harder. Keep up the great inspiration. If you choose to accept this award, pop on over to my blog and read all about it. :-)

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  3. That is a super cool picture of Matt! You must be a savvy photographer to actually get a photo of a rabbit! Every time I see one and fumble to get my phone they disappear into oblivion. :( Great job on your runs!

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    1. This rabbit must have been very tame; he just stood there and let me take the photo while he nibbled some grass!

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  4. Wow! Those pictures are amazing! I am so glad you had a really good run. It's those runs that we need to remind us why we even run at all.

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    1. Yep, I love how motivated a good run leaves me!

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  5. I am so glad your run went super well :) I'm still waiting for mine to start becoming more enjoyable ...

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  6. I couldn't agree more on the pool being the best way to recover! I just tried it for the first time after a long run last month, and now during every long run it's all I think about during the last couple of miles ;) It makes my legs tingle at first and then it just feels so relaxing. LOVE LOVE LOVE it!

    Did you use your Garmin on this run? What did you think??

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    1. Yessss, thinking about the pool is SUCH a good motivator to finish a run!

      I haven't used the Garmin yet...I had to set it up and figure out the basics before I brought it out. I need to change the wristband, too.

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  7. Oh there are so many times I wished I could hop in the pool right after a run! I see a lot of deer on my runs- even more so on the road than on the trail. I love them, they are so gorgeous. Glad you had an awesome weekend and a speedy run!

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    1. I can't wait to be in our new house...our pool is SO nice and will definitely see a lot of use post-run. I never see ANY wildlife at home, only at my parents' house.

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  8. Rabbits, rabbits, rabbits. It's crazy around here. And occasionally deer, if I'm running by one of the nature preserves.

    Sounds like a great run and just what you needed!

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    1. I'm always so jealous of all the Bunny PRs that people have...I think my PR is 2 lol.

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