Yesterday was hot again. Leave it to me to take time off running last week while it is 79 degrees outside and come back with a heat index near 100. Anyway, my first regular run had good points and, let’s say, personal challenges.
Here are my splits:
Mile 1 – 8:48
Mile 2 – 8:39
I have not been having my app tell me my pace so as to not concentrate so much on pace but just on feel. I specifically tried to start out slowly, but ended up at a faster pace than I have had in quite some time. Not that I am complaining about the faster pace, but I know in the heat it is important not to start out too strong.
Mile 3 – 9:16
By the time I hit my third mile I realized I must have started too hard. I felt fatigued and even walked for a short time at the top of a hill. The heat was getting to me as I pushed along. It was so humid and hot that it was getting hard to keep my breath.
Mile 4 – 11:52
Mile 5 – 11:51
By mile 4 I knew I must have started out way too fast. I ended up walking about half the way and slowly running the rest. At 4.5 miles I decided to head home knowing I’d make 5 total and not worry about the last two miles.
Talking with TJ afterwards I realized that I really need to do what I had originally planned and run negative splits. I think I will go back to my iSmoothRun app telling me how fast I am running so I keep my pace slow in the beginning and pick up as the run progresses. Running this way will not only help with the heat, but also is good practice for the Lehigh Valley Marathon in September.
So, overall I would say that my run went well. I ran a 10:01 average pace which isn’t bad for running in the heat and honestly I was encouraged that I ran at least part of the run in the 8:00 – 9:00 range. I also have decided to just try and do my runs as best I can and not worry about the marathon as much. The marathon will happen and I will run it, but worrying about it won’t make me run it any faster.
Even with the hot summer, I’m glad to get back to running a normal schedule.
278 to Boston 
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Hey man, you were sick, off for a while and just getting back in the groove. not only that, but trying to go by feel is tough. I went from only running by feel to adding a watch, and boy that changed the game for me. Being able to see my speed as I go helps me push on,and tells me I am going too fast.
I will say that I am impressed that you pushed out 5 miles and did well doing it. You told me not to worry about times, just distances and the times will come, so I have to tell you that advice back. Just run my friend. The marathon will be here, and just running a marathon is a huge feat! You are an inspiration just for the training, let alone finishing a marathon. And when you run, don’t do it for you, but your dog and family (not in that order), but run for every reason but yourself and that is what will get you through.
I’ll be rooting for you! By the way, any recent weigh-ins?
Thanks Matthew. My run today went much, much better. I really worked at slowing down rather than keeping a pace. You are right about pace. Sometimes no matter how much I try, pace still gets to me.
Thanks for the encouragement. I’ll post more in the morning. But all in all, today really helped my confidence.
I agree that you are just coming back from being sick, be easy on yourself, you will get there.
🙂
Thanks! I do feel better now. It is a big difference. I need not to do too much, like you said.
I hope you are getting better too. I know it must be difficult not being able to run.