A Tale of Three Runs

Tuesday, May 15, 2012:
Time: 34 minutes
Distance: 3.18 miles
Location: Yucca Loma out-and-back

Wednesday, May 16, 2012:
Distance: 1 mile
Time: 8:46
Location: Ottawa and back

Friday, May 18, 2012:
Time: 25 minutes
Distance: 2.39 miles
Location: Apple Valley to Sitting Bull Academy

It was a busy week and I was lucky to be able to get in four runs, though I didn't have enough time to blog about them.  Tuesday's run was unexpected.  I normally don't run Tuesday nights because I teach a night class and don't get home till late.  But my friend Scott just so happened to be driving home from Las Vegas and suggested we meet up and go for a run, since he'd be driving right by Apple Valley, and we're both in 5K training mode.  I hadn't prepared mentally or physically for a run, but I knew that I needed all the training I could get, so I jumped at the chance to run with Scott.  He got to our house late, around 9:30pm, so it would have to be a late night run.  We set out towards Yucca Loma to run the same route I had run the previous day.  It was quiet and the conditions were great.  We plugged along up Yucca Loma as it ascends towards the east.  Our pace was a bit faster than I had run it Monday, so when we got to the top of the hill we both decided to stop and walk for a bit.  We turned before getting to Cronese Rd. and began running back down Yucca Loma.  I felt better now.  It was a struggle getting up that hill, but running down was nice and smooth.  By the time we reached Apple Valley Rd., though, my feet were killing me.  I think I may be in need of new running shoes!  When we got back to my neighborhood Scott suggested we keep going to make it an even 3 miles.  So we ran past Cochise Rd. and continued on Yucca Loma towards the river all the way to Havasu Rd.  We hung a left and from here the route basically followed a usual mile route I do.  When we got back to our street, Scott decided to kick it in.  At first I was just going to let him go, since I was feeling pretty beat.  But the competitor in me took over and I mustered the best kick I could.  It wasn't fast but it kept me somewhat close to Scott.  In the end we had run over 3 miles (3.18), about the length of a 5K.  And it had taken us 34:00.  Both the distance and the time were the most I'd run in a very long time.  I'm glad I got this run in, but it took a lot out of me.  All the same, it was a nice change of pace to have a running partner out there.

On Wednesday I was feeling so beat from Tuesday's run that I opted for just one mile.  I decided to run down to Ottawa, where the week before I had run a 9:09.  My mile on a different route last week got me an 8:33, so I wanted to keep that progress going.  Unfortunately I came in somewhere in between.  I ran an 8:46, much better than the 9:09, but still not very good.  I think the Ottawa route is a little tougher because there is a stretch on the second half that is uphill.  My times are pretty bad right now, but what's most important is not giving up and just remembering that the longer I keep up with my running the more my times will come down.

Friday's (tonight's) run was a pretty good one, except for one thing.  My breathing and overall stamina were much better tonight, but my feet and ankles were killing!  I went out for 25 minutes, and right away I felt stronger and able to sustain a pace longer.  But it didn't take long before my feet started to ache.  I ran down Apple Valley to Sitting Bull, and right away my feet were throbbing.  I credit my weight.  Last year at this time I weighed about 10 pounds less, and I noticed the difference!  I can recall some runs a year ago that felt so much easier and lighter, like I was bouncing on air.  But tonight each step was labored.  I could feel the stress I was putting on my feet and ankles and it wasn't good.  The only remedy, really, is to lose weight.  Looks like I have another challenge on my plate.  As far as the run and where I went, since I was running for 25 minutes (longer than I usually do on this route) I decided to hang a left at Sitting Bull rather than turn around.  I ran for a little ways along Sitting Bull (which has a nice horse trail that reminded me of my old runs in Rancho Cucamonga).  I ran to the school on Sitting Bull and then headed back.  All in all I got in 2.39 miles, just slightly more than Monday for the same amount of time.  Progress.