Last run of the week, and last run before the actual, official, honest-to-God training for the marathon begins.
I decided that I needed one last gut check, to ensure that, really, I can do this.
How? 10 miles, measured, that goes out into the country side and back.
The first 3.7 miles, of course, are up. Up, up, up to the edge of the forest. From there, it’s another 1.3 miles that goes across two valleys and two ridges, to the third ridge. Steep ridges. Deep valleys.
?Ay, caramba!, indeed.
I have to admit, when I was reaching that 3.7 mile marker, the top of the hill, I was thrilled. That was a long 3.7 miles, but it felt great to get there. Of course, 1.3 miles later, at the turn around point, my legs felt like well cooked ham about ready to fall off the bone. But even then, I knew that it’d be tough but very do-able to run the 5 miles back.
When done, I’d covered the 10 miles in 95 minutes. Just under 10 minute miles. Uphill, both ways. When I can, I run measured distances. When I can’t, I usually use 10 minute miles as my basis, knowing that, is the worst case, I’ll end up running father than I wanted to or needed to. So, it was nice to do these ten at that pace.
These were, though, 10 miles under pretty good conditions. It was about 50 degrees when I left, and the wind really didn’t come around the side of the mountain and cool me down too much. No snow, only a little drizzle now and then, and when the sun came up, the clouds blocked the sun but let through enough light to make it OK.
The aches and pains. I hadn’t even made it a mile when I ankle started to complain. Like a hinge in need of some oil. Minor. Best part, though, is what didn’t hurt. My stress fracture does seem to be better. Sure, I’ll stick to the elliptical machine during the week, as I can, to give it an easier life, but it was nice to make this hard, pounding run, and not re-injure it.
What does hurt, now that I’m done? My thighs are a bit sore. When I was finishing the run itself, my hips were sore — just sore. No blisters, no hot feet. I wore the new running…. capri pants? I’m not even sure what to call them. Running shorts that go to my calves. Perfect for the weather conditions today. A t-shirt, a long sleeve shirt, and, for some of the run, a sweatshirt over that. And my nasty-as-can-be Edelbrock baseball cap.
And I’m usually in such a good mood after a long run. I blame all the drugs that the body releases during the run. Whatever it is, it works. Sore, but in a good mood.
Two other things. I bought a scale today. I don’t think we’ve ever owned a scale, and I’m sure not a “watching my weight” kind of guy. But I will while I prep for this marathon. It’s a curiosity thing — I wonder what it’s going to do to my body.
And two. I bought an iPod Nano today.? iPod shuffle died, and the ever-faithful iPod Mini crapped out.? I need to learn to be nicer to these things.? (iPod Mini might get hacked, to see if it can be saved with….. yes, that’s right, say it with me:? Linux!)
