1...more...mile...ugh.

I'm trying to not be hard on myself, but I'm having a difficult time. I remember when I could easily run 13-14 miles. Today, I struggled with 9.5. That's it. I am going to get back up to my easy 13-14 mile runs. Next Saturday will be an 11 mile run. I'm going to start earlier, use GUs and get plenty of rest. I will get back up to my comfortable miles, despite this heady blanket of humidity that has been covering the city. I'm not really in any major pain (just usual aches), but this heat just makes me miserable!

I planned on getting to the park at 5-5:15 to get in 3-4 miles before June showed up, that way I'd be done with my longer run when she's done with her shorter run. Perhaps if I paid attention and set my alarm for 4:15AM instead of 4:15PM, I would've gotten there on time. Nope. I woke up at 5:25am and jumped out of bed, cursing up a storm. I made a quick protein shake, brushed my teeth, dressed, filled up my fuel belt (I need a new one) and ran out by 5:35, making it just in time meet her. But that means I have to do an extra lap +1 mile AFTER she and I finish. Blech.

June and I ran the first 6.4 miles together, I was alone the last bit. Mile 1 was a fast mile - we just ran that one straight out to warm up. It was a nice 11:45 mile. Then we started doing intervals and took it slowly. Nothing exceptional. Our paces were way out of whack - some 13 minutes, some 14:30 minutes. We kept telling ourselves that in this temperature, and our relative newness to running, that distance counted more than speed, so we just jogged (although I was shuffling by my last 2 miles).

When we get back to the park, Sean Wade passes us up - and he's flying. We part ways and I continue to go another lap around the park by myself. Sean passes me up two more times. Sigh. He's going 2-3 laps in less time than it takes me to finish 1.

Now, 9.5 miles later, I'm home. I haven't consumed anything but water since 5:30am, so I'm going to have a bowl of cereal.

Cheers!