August 01, 2007
31 in 31: Augustathon Challenge
I did go running after work yesterday. On the way home, as I waited in the stifling heat and humidity for the bus, I started to bargain with myself. "I'll just go after my 8 p.m. conference call," I said. "The call will be done by 8:15, it'll be cooler then, and I'll still be all done by 9:30 at the latest." Except it would be dark by then, and due to some recent safety issues, running alone at night in the dark isn't exactly my smartest plan right now. Not to mention the fact that I knew deep down if I put the run off until 8? I just wouldn't do it.So I got home, headed out, and you know what? It wasn't bad as I thought it would be. Yes, it was hot, gross, and by the time I was done I was so sweaty you would have thought I'd jumped in the lake, but it wasn't awful. I ran through the park instead of along the lake, because the path through the park is nearly completely shaded. I took a water bottle with me, and refilled it a couple of times at one of the many many drinking fountains available. It was supposed to be a tempo run, and I surprised myself by actually hitting the 10:00/mile pace I was supposed to hit. When I was all done? I felt way better for having gotten out and done it.
I think that run was excellent practice for my next undertaking: Augustathon - 31 runs in 31 days. Because I want to be like Ali, totally. (Doesn't everyone?) The one adjustment I'm making is that since I'm in the middle of massive tri-training, a bike or swim workout of at least 30 minutes counts as a "run." Even so, it'll still be a challenge - I'm spending the next two weekends out of town, so that could get interesting. I'm determined to do it, though.
Quick update on the safety issues: I'm OK, but there have been some pretty scary attacks in Chicago lately in my neighborhood. Which means that for the time being, running alone after dark is definitely not a good plan. But I'm OK, I'm keeping an extra eye out for creepy and suspicious activity, and I'm making sure that if I'm going to be heading home after dark I'm either in a cab or I've got someone to walk me home.
Posted by Dawn at August 1, 2007 02:18 PM
Comments
YEAH Augustathon!
You are going to love it! You'll rock the challenge.
Posted by: Ali at August 1, 2007 03:49 PM
It's true. I so totally want to be Ali.
Any run that "isn't awful" is actually quite good!
Posted by: Tea at August 1, 2007 10:04 PM
Count me in as in awe of Ali, too. Here's to two down!
Posted by: jank at August 2, 2007 03:47 PM
Good luck on the Augusthon. You are much more ambitious then I.
Posted by: Kiki at August 2, 2007 09:21 PM