Prepping for the Beach

Distance: 3 miles
Time: 27:06
Location: Granite Hills

This week was an improvement after last week, but I've still got to get more runs in. I only got in 2 runs this week, totaling 6 miles. Tuesday's run up at Granite Hills was good, though the hot and stagnant night air made it difficult and I barely got through it. Today's run was better, but still tough. I, again, headed up to Granite Hills (which has become my go-to run since it's such an undisturbed and peaceful location). It was around 5pm and the sun was still high in the sky, since the summer solstice is a mere 3 days away. It was hot and bright. But I felt pretty good at the start of this run, so I tried to put in a better effort and not start slow like I did on Tuesday. My first mile was good, but as soon as I began my 2nd mile the fatigue set in. The sun by this point was beginning to noticeably bear down on me. Plus, the wind began picking up. As I rounded a turn and began running west during the 2nd mile, I was met not only with a bright setting sun but a fierce evening wind. It severely compromised my run, and I struggled to get through it. I finally finished the 2nd mile and began the 3rd, which is usually when the run is the toughest -- something about that mental challenge of starting a whole new mile when your body is ready to be done. Like last time, the hardest part was the first half of the 3rd mile. My pace was very slow, plus I was running west and south, directly into the sun and wind. I tried to get my mind off the run, but it hardly worked. Finally, I rounded the corner to begin my last 800 meters. This is when things got better. I was now running east and north, away from the wind and the sun, and my body instantly felt better. I kicked it the last 200 meters or so and finished with a 27:06. I was very pleased with my time, all things considered. It's a full minute faster than my first 3-mile time of the year, which I ran on June 1st. Each 3-mile has been faster and I hope I can continue this trend.

Today's run was also important because I needed to get in a good, hard run before setting out for a vacation at Newport Beach tomorrow. I plan on getting in some good beach runs, and I wanted to make sure I was prepared. We leave tomorrow and we'll be down there until Thursday. I've already mapped out a couple of 3-mile runs that will have me running right along the Pacific! I'm quite excited for this change of scenery.

Also, we'll be going to Switzerland next month for 2 weeks and I plan on running there as well! I'm greatly excited to experience running in another country. No doubt those will be runs I'll remember forever!