After spending the day in bed yesterday (instead of at work, due to utter exhaustion - I think mental exhaustion - too much stuff!), I went out at 5 a.m. with Barbara today. We have changed to running to the west on the river path, to avoid the construction at Dodge. Before running to meet her at the Campbell bridge, I downed an espresso Hammer gel (mmm...yummy!). It was 31 degrees (at the airport; it's always colder on the path) with a 25 degree wind chill - BRRRR. We took off at a pretty fast pace, but I felt okay to keep going. The wind was at our back, making it a somewhat toasty run in the light windbreaker, midweight long johns and heavy fleece cap I was wearing. We made it to our four-mile point (bathrooms past La Caņada) in 41:13 - I was surprised! I was hoping for 44 minutes (11-minute miles), which would have been right about where I thought I was, fitness-wise. So to know I did it quicker was a great energizer. We turned around and ran into a chilly headwind - and Barbara took off! The gel was wearing off, and my legs were beginning to hurt a little - right behind my left knee, especially. I noticed that I was actually breathing hard, and needed to concentrate on breathing with my pace - something I haven't done in awhile (I guess I haven't been running to my potential!). I thought I must have slowed down, because Barbara kept having to wait for me. My lips went numb by the time we made it back to Campbell, so I could barely say "Great Run!" to Barbara, although I was able to express my appreciation for running with someone - I know I would have walked on the last four miles back, if I hadn't been trying to stay with another person! The mischevious devil turns to me with a glint in her eye once we finish, and asks, "Did we do negative splits?" Ha! She knew she was setting the pace faster all along! And here I thought I was going slower...I love it! Yes, Barbara, we did negative splits! Total time: 1:21:31. Way out: 41:13. Way back: 40:18. Average pace: 10:11/mile - WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comments
DATE: 5:13 AM, December 08, 2005
Way to go! What's up with the cold temps in AZ? I thought you guys lived in the desert!
Posted by: Rae | April 2, 2006 01:07 PM
DATE: 11:49 AM, December 08, 2005
Great job Ang! And Barbara too, she accomplished something you won't let me do - push you. ;) That's a long distance to be doing your fastest pace ever; Pemberton, here you come!!!
Posted by: Johnny Lyons | April 2, 2006 01:07 PM
DATE: 8:17 PM, December 08, 2005
25 with the wind chill? No wonder my ears and hands froze! I was on the south side of the river on Tuesday, though the Swan drinking fountain was frozen too! We need to move somewhere warm. Kept my hat and gloves on today! Good run, and good pace Angie.
Posted by: Mike | April 2, 2006 01:07 PM
DATE: 6:57 AM, December 09, 2005
Yeah - what's with the cold temps in the desert?! I love it - and will look back on it with yearning come summer :)Thanks for the support, everyone!
Posted by: Angie's Pink Fuzzy | April 2, 2006 01:07 PM