Friday, again. And again, another racer's eve. The 11th annual Cannonball Pump and Run is tomorrow morning. I wanted to get a few miles in but didn't want to kill myself doing it, so I figured I'd run for distance and stretching versus time today. To this end, I did NOT hit snooze on my phone's alarm clock and drug myself out of bed with a little more discipline than other mornings. I woke again with low blood sugar - 47. I'm going to make some changes to my pump settings. The overnight basal rates are going to need adjusting (as might some of my others as I've been low a few times lately).
I headed for Car Quest again because I know I can get some decent length runs in from here. As usual, I stretched before starting my run. I spent a little extra time on the quads and calves for the simple fact that they have been sore. I think that would be due to Coach's workout and my fartleks yesterday.
I took off from Car Quest with some good old Bob Seger hitting the ear buds. Like most mornings, there was the moon off to the east. It was still a while before sunrise, so she was still bright. Her crescent shape reminded me of the Cheshire Cat's grin from Alice in Wonderland. I tried to imagine him fading in and out while the lunar smile stayed as a reminder. It's really amazing what runs through one's mind while running.
Today's pace varied from occasional walking to hard running. The opening half mile was a little slow, so when I turned east on Court I picked up the pace. It must be something about the music and the beat (more likely the breathing and loosening of muscles) that can "encourage" running faster. I presume there are some efficiency factors built in there as well, but I have yet to discover them. The next mile, was a good pace (though I'm not sure I got any closer to the moon...she's a bit faster than me). I decided to throw in another 1.5 or so, so I turned left on Norwood and headed for the highway. At the U-turn on highway 92, I walked a bit to get my breathing and heartbeat calmed down. I did the same thing when I got back to Court (but only for a bit).
As I neared our soccer complex, there was that doe from yesterday (lazy deer). She was laying on the shoulder as a public service announcement to other does to NOT try to cross the road here. She was missing an eye...gross, I know, but part of nature's recycle and reclamation process. I'll bet she's there tomorrow morning too as we run past her during the race. I checked my watch and was running a little behind schedule, so I didn't shoot through the city park like normal. I hung a right on 10th Street and slowed.
After a couple of deep breaths and a few paces walked, I turned my aim to finishing. FARTLEK time! Today, I did two blocks hard, then jogged the next. Two blocks hard, then jogged. The last 3 blocks I really turned on the "speed." I checked my pulse real quick when I got to Car Quest - 167. Here's where an inkling of obsession may come in...I ran another .2 of a mile...just because. I managed to get my heart rate up to 178 as I put an end to my run. I then, of course stretched.
Today's run was 4.7 miles in 39:00 (8:18 pace). Not fast, but a good workout anyway. Race day tomorrow. I will have to lift 90% of my weight as many times as possible (each rep is a :15 second deduction off my time). I should be lifting about 145 pounds. I'll let you know how it goes. Hopefully Anonymous was right and nobody else will enter my age division....yeah right!
myk
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