Archive for February, 2008

On the subject of running firsts, for the first time in my 11-month running career I cut a run short, not because I was injured, but because my legs were pooped. And the best part is, I feel great about the decision, dubious or not!

Despite taking two days off this week, I managed to get in a good amount of mileage, so today was to be an easy 8, bringing me up to 46 for the week.

Now, it’s a gorgeous day outside, and I was rarin’ to get out there, but I guess my Friday hillwork followed by 13 yesterday caught up to me, and it didn’t take me long to realize my legs were beat. No specific pains, just plain tired – which is a rarity for me, so worthy of attention.

Somewhere around the 3.5 mile mark, I decided that it wouldn’t kill me to call this an official “recovery run” and that I would stop at 6 and walk home from there. With the zillions of people walking around in the park, it would be a pleasure to join in the masses and take a sunshiny stroll to get home.

And that’s what I did, enjoying one of the nicest walks I’ve had in a while. So OK, it did feel like I was left out of the party every time a runner passed me, but a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do and sometimes the healthy choice isn’t the most ego-stroking one available.

Tomorrow I’m set for a tempo run, but I’ll be playing it by ear. If I’m still feeling draggy, I’ll make it an easy instead, because as I mentioned a few posts down, I don’t like a discouraging tempo run, but I do have a preference about tempos on Mondays, so we’ll see.

Meanwhile, looking ahead at the week, I’m excited because I’ve got 800s planned, which I’ve never done, so that’s something fun to look forward to! But back to the present…

It’s time for a shower and a walk to the grocery store for some Superbowl munchies. Go Giants! Kill the Patriot’s perfect record! Sorry Patriot’s fans, but like cutting a run short when your legs are too darn tired, a little Sunday Superbowl Schadenfreude…it just feels right.

Yesterday I threatened to sit at home today while consuming copious amounts of sugar instead of venturing out in the windy rain, but I’m happy to report that I enjoyed a fun 7 today on my hill-loop route. Yes, it was dreary and wet, but it was warm (40 degrees) and wind wasn’t even an issue.

Not much to report, the usual suspicious parked cars along the loop, and from the occasional condom wrappers I’ve seen strewn on the ground, I imagine it’s a hotbed of horny lunch-time lovin’, but I avoid looking in car windows when I can.

In return, I like to imagine that seeing my sweaty red face with that look of hill-induced agony across it helps those in the cars finish quicker, the sooner to return to their filing cabinets and cup ‘o soups.

Helping out the work-force where I can – no need to thank me ma’am, just doing my job.