Monday, August 10, 2009

Can I Complain Now?

Sunday afternoon seemed like a perfect time to run 14 miles in the summeriest weather yet: 95 degrees and 70 percent humidity. Is that hot enough for you, Jess?

I know I've complained about the heat before, but I swear this time it's warranted. It was so bad I even put on sunscreen. I thought if I just kept it slow enough and kept up with my fluid intake that I'd be fine for 14 miles. My poor biker was weaving just to keep balanced, as I was well above 10 minutes per mile.

My legs never had any bounce. The air I breathed felt like a warm kitchen sponge. My tech tank top was soaked by three miles and removed by five miles. Seven miles in I said, "We're cutting this short." I'm allergic to heat stroke, so the run lasted a plenty-long 10 miles, and took almost two hours to complete. Not my best day, but it was by far the hottest.

Thankfully, this was another step-back week, so I don't feel too broken up about not getting in the week's full mileage.

This weekend: The Summer Un-Solstice Challenge awaits.

Backtrack to My Last Track
Last Thursday, as noted, I ran 10 x 400s with the goal of going sub-1:45 for each interval. Sorry, Nitmos, still no failures to report. Ten intervals is way too many to list, so I'll give you the shortened version of the statistical rundown:
  • Intervals: 10 x 400 meters
  • Goal pace: Sub-1:45 per interval (7:02 per mile)
  • Fastest Lap (10): 1:31.9 (6:06 per mile)
  • Slowest Lap (6): 1:40.16 (6:42 per mile)
  • Average pace: 1:37.2 (6:31 per mile)
  • Total distance: 6.7 miles
Remembering Why I Hate Treadmills
While in New York City this weekend for a wedding, my running was forced into a Days Inn "fitness center," which contained one treadmill, one stationary bike and and one elliptical. If I had to run on a treadmill, I would not be a runner. Why subject yourself to this awful torture?

Six miles felt terrible. I was counting every tenth of a mile. Just getting the infernal thing started was a pain in the ass. My first mile was 11:06, as I was trying to get the settings up to my pace (Incline 2.0, Speed 6.0). After that, I marked 9:48 miles but that first mile pushed me past an hour of just-shoot-me-and-get-it-over-with running.

[Drunkard's note: I was probably picking sauerkraut from my beard at Nathan's in Coney Island when that plane collided with the helicopter.]

10 comments:

BrianFlash said...

Sounds like complaint worthy weather to me. Team Flash had the same miserable time this weekend for our long runs.

Jen Feeny said...

I think it's safe to say you'll be pardoned to whine about the weather this once... still don't pity you too much as it is always blazing hot down here in Orlando.

Erin Helgerson said...

Yikes! Sounds like you could have used a nice big margarita!!!

X-Country2 said...

Yuck, what a hot and miserable run. Hopefully there was beer involved afterwards.

Aileen said...

That sounds like my Saturday run this past week. Glad to know I wasn't the only one who looked like I went swimming instead of running.

I hate the speed thing on treadmills too! 6.0 is what I should be doing, but it feels like I'm sprinting.

The Sean said...

Judging by your repeat results you should be running these around 1:38 or a little quicker. Consistency is important, so try for a little more even pacing.

Al's CL Reviews said...

At least you found the treadmill. I did not while I was at a wedding.

Nitmos said...

It was a miserable Sunday. I must have been on the road at the same time though I cut it even shorter - 7 miles was enough.

C said...

No, you can't complain. I'm stuck in perpetual autumn here. It's a miracle when we crack temps into the 70s.

Be thankful you have seasons.

Jess said...

Have a beer. It'll make everything all better!