I’ve often wondered why athletes subject themselves to running shorts that look like diapers. I think it gives rise to the question I just to get so frequently in the past “do you go to the bathroom on yourself??” Just in case you are wondering the answer is no, I’m not Chrissie Wellington out there kicking ass…I’m totally ok with stopping when needed.
Can I just tell you that I took one step in those tri-shorts and then ripped them off because I couldn’t take it. They might be great for biking, but I can’t even imagine running in them.
Today made me glad once again that I have retired such running pieces because I can only imagine how uncomfortable it would have been as Tropical Storm Isaac drenched me, whacked me with branches and created ankle deep puddles for my run.
But let me back up just a smidge. I should start by saying I had planned to be a smart runner and knock out my 16 miles on our condo treadmill looking at nothing but a rooftop…that’s what I planned anyhow. Knowing the weather would be bad I didn’t worry about getting up early, but I was still alone in the gym at 6AM.
Fully prepared I started out, but I could see the TV out of the corner of my eye and as it just so happened at 2 miles the screen showed an ALL CLEAR radar. I thought heck yeah I will go outside get in maybe 6 miles then I can come back and finish up.
The first 3 miles were amazing. Normal humid Miami weather greeted me at the door, but there wasn’t another sole on the streets which is completely abnormal (hmm wonder why?!). I headed out seeing only 1 other dumbass running and was thoroughly enjoying myself. Not wanting to press my luck I turned around at 2.5 miles and only minutes later it started to rain.
I don’t mean sprinkle, I mean I can’t see more than 10 feet in front of me and suddenly I’m up to my ankles in water. Admittedly it felt great, but I was a total wrecking worrying about my iPod nano. It turns out the new 6th generation nano is SUPER sensitive to water and I’ve already learned this the hard way.
After about a mile in the down pour, I found myself on a tree lined street and thinking this would provide shelter I stayed on the sidewalk. Instead, I was being nailed by tree branches left and right as the winds picked up. Whoops. Either way I made it home laughing and receiving more than a few odd looks from the security guards in my building. At that point I decided to change because I was nervous I might actually slip off the treadmill.
So at 8am I was back in the gym with my treadmill still waiting for me. I wish I could say that from there I banged out the remaining miles like a champ, but the truth is I ran a few stopped….ran a few then started doing fartlek's to just get the thing done. Eventually I decided that since I did 15.5 last weekend when I was only supposed to do 14, that I was ok with pulling out at 14 today having done some speed work on tired legs.
WORKOUTS
Aug 20
AM: Rest day…enjoyed it by flying home to Miami then Strong Like Susan Abs Day 17
Aug 21
AM: 7.5 miles – 1 mile w/u, 8x ¼ mile intervals (7.0, 7,1,7.2,7.3,7.4,7.5,7.6,7.7) ¼ mile recovery, 2.5 mile c/d – 20 min walk, Strong Like Susan Abs Day 18
Game face and shoes…go time.
Aug 22
AM: 6.1 miles easy (61 min), 15 min walk, Strong Like Susan Abs Day 19, 20 min stretch, back and triceps
PM: 35 min walk, 15 min stretch
Aug 23
AM: 45 min bike (avg 17mph), 600m swim, 10 min stretch
Lunch: 35 min walk, 10 min stretch, bicep and shoulders
Aug 24
AM:8.3 miles – 1.5 w/u, 2.5 miles MP, .5 easy, 1 mile MP, 2.8 c/d, 20 min walk, Strong Like Susan Abs day 21, 10 min stretch
PM: 10 min walk, 60 min vinyasa yoga with my favorite teacher and friend Thomas
Aug 25
AM: 15 min walk, 1.5 super easy shake out run, 20 min stationary bike, Strong Like Susan Abs day 22, back, tricepts
PM: 25 min easy bike, 10 min stretch, 15 min walk
Aug 26
AM: 14 miles (2:17), 30 min walk, abs, 10 min stretch
Luckily I had my Stuffitts Drying Inserts ready to go post run. I think they work better than newspaper and drying out shoes quickly, eliminating that wet odor and keeping the shape.
Do you run in the rain? Have you ever done a half and half training run (half treadmill/half outdoors)?
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Gratitude Journal
Aug 26
I am grateful for a crazy morning of running that was still fun and followed by a day with no plans but relaxing and staying indoors due to the weather.
