Sunday, June 18, 2006

Bad run

You know how you have those days when you feel like you can run forever? It doesn't happen often enough, but occasionally, everything clicks and I have a crazy burst of energy and feel great during an entire run!

Well, exactly the opposite happened to me on Saturday's run. I arrived at Luke's a little after 6am and took the time to stretch and chat with the other runners. We were doing a little more than 7 miles - heading N. on Shepherd, taking some side streets to Jackson Hill, eventually making our way down Washington and Center St to Heights Blvd. The turnaround was 12th street and then we would retrace our steps back to Lukes.

I started the run feeling great. Julie and I ran together and I felt we were going at a decent pace. Then, somewhere around 7th street, I started really feeling the heat and humidity. By 9th, I needed to walk before it was time for the 5/1 walk break. My head felt like it was going to explode and I just felt, I don't know, tired? Julie was nice enough to walk with me and I ran again after about a minute. I made it to 12th, turned around and a few blocks later I told Julie to go ahead. I've pooped out in the heat before, but this felt different. Honestly, I considered sitting down on one of the benches on Height Blvd and not running another step. Then, I figured I would eventually have to get back to Luke's and the day would not get any cooler, so I opted to keep going.

Apparently, I wasn't the only one feeling the effects of the heat and humidity. Coach JoAnne was right behind me and we continued the run together and later met up with Pam and a few other runners. We took a few extra walk breaks, but eventually made it back. Here's the best part...there were frozen washcloths waiting for us! It was just what we needed to cool off! (Thanks to the coaches who provided these!)

Overall, I was disappointed with my performance. Of course, I had to over-analyze everything...was it the chicken salad I had for lunch rather than my usual baked potato? Did I hydrate enough the day before? Did I start too fast? Was I too concerned with losing weight that I didn't eat enough carbs? Is this going to happen next week too? After all, it's only going to get hotter and the mileage is going to get longer. Or....did I just have a bad run? It happens! It wouldn't be the 1st time and definitely won't be the last. I hope that was all it was...but, it does make me worry a little.

On a happier note, I did lose 2.4 lbs my 1st week back in WW! Yes, I was doing the happy dance! That's what I love about WW - what other diet let's you eat Tex-Mex, have a margarita and few oreos and still lose weight? 13.6 more lbs to go!

Running Stats:
Time - 6 am
Weather - 82/80% humidity
Distance - 7.1 miles
Pace - 12:40

WW Stats (Sat)
Points consumed - 33
Activity pts earned - 10
Flex pts used - 3
Flex points remaining for week - 32

WW Stats (Sun)
Points consumed - 28
Activity pts earned - 0
Flex pts used - 8
Flex pts remaining - 24
Total weight loss - 2.4 lbs

2 comments:

Unknown said...

No such thing as a bad run. You gained knowledge and experience. And those frozen towels sound awesome!!!

Humble Runner said...

Congrats with the weight loss!There are good runs and bad runs. I enjoy both. Remember that bad runs often pay high dividends in experience.