FIRST HALFSIE OF THE FALL
Running on moon-lit roads with the new season’s 60-degree air filling your lungs is almost too romantic for the casual runner to fully enjoy. These types of runs, like the one this morning, are meant more for those in a love affair with the sport.
I never have a set mileage when I head out to run; I give myself a ballpark distance to aim for. Depending on how I feel throughout the run, I readjust to either shorten or lengthen the distance. Today was one of those days where I set out to run 8-10 and ended up pushing myself to my first (unofficial) half marathon of the new running season at an 8:00/mile average pace! Armed with the usual Camelbak and Zune, I brought along some Hammer Gel for some extra carbs (Tropical flavor is my favorite, plus it has caffeine!) and lubed up the toes with Body Glide’s Liquid Powder. I tend to get blisters, blood blisters and/or black nails during running season and I’ve learned over the last year this stuff works wonders on my poor toes. I still get the occasional blister, but they aren’t near as bad as they once were!
I’m also really happy that even after upping my distance 4 miles more than what I’ve been running lately, my splits still dropped each mile. Slow out of the gate has never been my most favorite attribute, but I love how I pour it on strong the last 5 miles or so and really increase the pace. Plus almost 1700 calories burned? That means I’m eating like a king today!
Also, as you can tell from the elevation chart this is a fairly hilly area of Houston (read: rare). Because of this, it’s a fairly popular area for runners and bikers alike. This morning I saw at least a hundred different people, including two marathon training groups, at least a dozen bikers, and maybe another dozen or so solo runners. Seeing this kind of activity out of this many people at 6-something in the morning makes me feel better that I’m not the only crazy out running about.
And all of them toss a friendly paw in the air or chunk the deuce because we’re in the south; where people are just plain and outright friendly.
(photos via Garmin Connect)
The name's David and I'm a late 20's nerd. Recently re-relocated Texan residing in the state capitol after a short stint in the Bay Area.
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jwolson said:
Impressive. I am in awe. I would love some 8:00 pace miles and some 60 degree air that is not manufactured!
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