Sunday, July 22, 2007

Ugly 8

The hubby and I stayed up too late watching movies last night, which resulted in me pushing the snooze button a few times this morning. ;-) I made it to the park a bit after 6:30 am and for the first time in months, I could not get a parking spot in the tennis center lot. There were large groups of people in the warm-up area....yep, marathon training in full swing!

Before I started my run, I had a chance to talk to another Sunday morning "regular", Alfonso. He does 3 laps every Sunday and started running after his doctor suggested it because of health issues. That man can haul some butt...of course, compared to me, most people look like they're hauling butt. Thanks to tri-bunny for the route recommendation....I ended up running down Memorial to Post Oak past the stables. Then, since I wanted to try to get in 8 miles, I decided to run down Woodway for a few miles before heading back to the park. It was a great change of scenery, although next time I will just keep running down Memorial. I saw a few other runners, but mostly a lot of folks on bikes.

The temp was 81 when I left the house and it was pretty humid. I just felt slow today. I had a hard time breathing from the get-go and my fuel belt felt like it weighed 100 lbs. I walked way more than I should have, but I finished dammit! Eight very long, very ugly miles.

I can't wait until the summer semester is over when I can at least get in an occasional group run with the peeps! I am hoping that it will help keep me motivated and honest on these long runs. As I was taking an extended walk break today, I thought about the group runs...I would have NEVER taken an extra walk break with the group. Ugh, I need to get motivated again! It's sad that I need a group for that. Whew, only a little less than 3 weeks 'till summer school is over!

I do feel like I got in a 2nd work out today at the kiddo's swim lesson. The damn teacher kept making us go around the pool in circles with our kiddos to the tune of Pop Goes the Weasel or Ring Around the Rosy. That followed by afternoon playground time and I am pooped!

Running Stats
Conditions - low 80s & humid
Distance - 8 miles
Total run time - 1:34
Pace - 11:51 (UGLY!)

8 comments:

Ann (bunnygirl) said...

I'm glad you enjoyed the route! I went past the stables on Saturday and didn't see any horses. :-(

If you keep going down Memorial to Chimney Rock, you'll come to the place I call Turtle Pond. It's in the Park Laureate office park, just before you come to Chimney Rock. You'll recognize it by the fountain in one of the ponds. If you have water with you, it's a nice place to stop and stretch, have a gel and water, and watch the turtles. :-)

Randy - Maniac #788 said...

Ok, just keep this in mind...as slow as you think you are...there is always me behind you somewhere...I'm telling myself that "someone" has to be last...to make all the others feel like they are haulin' ass. That be me....at least for now.

I applaud your efforts in the heat and humidity....it got to us on Saturday during our 11+ mile run too here in OKC.

Are you going to be doing the Houston Marathon in January? I'm signed up to run that with my brother....like I could find you in a crowd of 17,000, but would like to try if you are running.

Unknown said...

Hey Randy, I'm doing the 1/2. We will have to meet up before the race!

Mom tried decaf once said...

Aww..that would be great if you two could meet! Great job on getting your miles in!

Marathon Maritza said...

Don't be so hard on yourself...you got the mileage done and that is a triumph in itself! Great job!

Marcy said...

Awwwhhh that would be so cool if you and Randy meet up! Man I'm kind of jealous that you have all those runners around you. I always see the same few people around *sigh*

Anonymous said...

(pssst....don't tell Alphonso this, but that made me think of the great dane that runs with us. No, the great dane's real name is Molly, but she reminds me of my friend's dog who was a standard size poodle whose name was Alphonso....)

In other news, we went to the circus on Saturday. I woke up Sunday morning to a bad dream that I couldn't go for a run because there was a tiger in our yard! How goofy is that???

Jill said...

Cross training is always a good thing!