5 Aug Tues – Long Run – 9 miles

So, because of Obama fever, my running plans got shifted around.

The long run today.  I woke up at about 6.15 and was ready to go quite immediately.  Unlike the 8 mile run, there was no humming and hawing.  Edna decided to go with me, so that was encouraging as well.  I made sure that I had the ipod – I don’t think I could do 9 miles without music.

The plan was to run the Hawk Isle route twice.  Going out of the house and doing the first mile, I found the pace a little too brisk for my liking.  Edna was setting the pace and I wasn’t sure if she was committed to do the 9 miles.  The quick pace eased up as we got to Cavanagh road and the first lap around the park was nice.  It was before seven and the sun was not peaking through the bank of clouds yet, so the lake was really mirror like.  I was listening to American  Folk Christmas Songs by the Seegers, and it made for nice listening.  Going around the park I decided to turn off the ipod and enjoy the sounds of the early morning.  That was a good decision as it added some variety to the run.

The other people that were running in the park just reminded me how slow I go.  They were essentially striding all the way.  I can’t imagine how people can build up that much stamina and strength to run at that pace.  Anyway, the route back out on Cavanagh and then into the park again was nice.  I think I caught what essentially was a second wind doing this.

Leaving the park after the second loop was when my legs started to hurt.  They felt like lead and I had to quicken my steps into a shuffle to keep going.  The uphill portion of Cavanagh was tricky as well.  Even though coming back into Beau Jardin was a welcome relief, the additional round around the estate to make the distance was quite taxing, especially for the first half a mile.  The final half was easy because the end was in sight.

I think that I’m getting really close to the goal of running 13 miles.  After all, it’s just one more 4.5 loop, really.  But I think I need to work on pacing myself properly especially if I’m going to be running alone.  The alternating moments of music and silence are quite good but the hurting legs could point to a lack of conditioning with regards to my legs.  Maybe I’m just not cut out for longer distances?