September 04, 2009

I threw up a little in my mouth


Personal Record,PR. A daunting goal. I was not fixing to go for it this last 10 k. They are uncomfortable. The time is this carrot on a stick. But last week, I felt particularly inspired to attempt to crack it. My last PR was on my first 10 k race here in my home town. 43:20. It was right around my goal time, but I was pleased with the result. I did it. Then, heading home into my street, my stomach heaved! Yes, I threw up a little in my mouth. Gross.

I started off and felt good. My splits are never negative when I try to crack the time. Its not been my priority for speed, more about distance for my longer runs. I knew as I approached my half way point, I had a chance, so I pushed on. It was the mental anguish of the last 3 k that did me in, it always does. My body wanted to ease off, but I told it to keep hitting it hard. I know i am doing this when I can hear wind in my ears.

So, my PR is now offically 42:40. i am that much closer to a sub 40 min 10 k. But I wont be trying that again soon. I have a marathon to worry about! Plus, I hate gagging.

September 03, 2009

Of Short Shorts and Torrential Rain



Flash Flood! I went on my 10 k today, it was nice weather, overcast, but not too cold. I was trying my new shorts out. Now let me tell you, I ordered these running shorts from an online store. What I knew was they were short. I was not expecting this short though. I bought them because it was them, which showed more leg, or it was compression shorts which showed my bits n pieces. Lesser evil? Well I am not one to be too carried away with how I look, but it is a new game when this type of short is introduced to me. I took one look and laughed. This is new. These shorts are short! The reason for them was simple. Lack of chaffing, freedom of mobility for my long runs. Also these were about $ 20-30 less expensive than compression shorts, so they won out. On e day I'll maybe wear BOTH together and then I'll be done with it. When I'm rich.

So I took off on my run today, new short shorts on, feeling a new found leg freedom. It was actually a great sensation. Like running around in your underwear or something. On my 7th km, a saw a rain storm coming. What i didnt see coming, was the flash HAIL storm, and then buckets of water that would drench me within 1 minute flat, so much so that my shoes became instantly heavy with water. The hail actually stung a bit, and all I could do is laugh. It will become a metaphor in my life. You can't predict the storm, maybe you can somewhat prepare, but all in all, it is just something I need to eventually laugh about. I am thankful I only had 13 more minutes of running after that flash flood to get home. I am also ironically thankful for my new short shorts, which did NOT chaff on my legs, unlike the other shorts I have which would cover more leg and rub me raw. And I might add, I can now say I look officially like a serious runner, and you WILL NOT catch me in the supermarket with these babies on. You just won't , so don't ask.