Last night I went running with the Graben Running Club for the second time. At least this time it wasn’t 37C/99F, but rather a “mild” 33C/92F. My wife came home totally wiped out from the heat, told me “don’t bug me” and fell asleep on the couch. So at 5:30 p.m. I decided to run the 4K/2.5M to club meeting point.
I arrived 23:07 later (5:47/K, 9:18/M pace) and had about 10 minutes to mingle with the other runners before we started. I took off with some of the same group as last time, but they were going really slow this time. Finally two of the group took off and my legs just followed them :-) We quickly picked up the pace, knocking out about 2K, then they picked up the pace again and I thought, “Well at least I can get in a speed workout”.
A couple minutes later some speedy dude passed our little group and the two decide to try to catch him. So by this time we are almost up to my 10K race pace and I am having serious doubts about continuing this relationship.
About that time one of the two said “Oh by the way, we are only running the 8K/5M loop tonight, not the 11K/6.8M”. Like “Thanks for telling me guys!”, I thought as I continued on with this insane pace. Luckily, we came to their turn-off point a couple minutes later and we parted our ways – they headed home, I slowed down and continued with my 11K loop.
I tried to gradually catch a group of three that I saw 400 meters in front of me, but I guess I left my kick back on the trail somewhere. By now I had time to think and realize that it was darn humid out, I was soaked and dripping with sweat. I was quite happy to see the small parking lot when I reached it – almost 11 minutes faster than last week. I averaged around 5:10/K (8:19/M) for the 11+ kilometers, a good tempo run considering my best 10K race pace is 4:50/K (7:47/M).
I drank some water and chatted with some of the other runner’s for a few minutes, then ran the 4K/2.5M back to the house at an easy 6:15/K (10:04/M) pace. It was a very satisfying workout!
Sounds like a great run. How well are you doing with recovery during your buildup weeks?
At least there was someone to push you. I need that more often than only at the track and hills. I am not sure I am doing legitimate tempo runs since trails have no mile posts:)
As for professional organizer - my husband always says it would be an "A" job for me. It drives him nuts!
Sounds like a great run. I'm having a tough time with the mugginess! Sounds like you've adapted pretty well to the weather.
Sounds like a pretty good run in awful heat! I thought for sure you were going to say that you decided to turn off with those guys since you had pushed hard, but you didn't! Way to stick it out! Plus the run to/from home...Nice job.
whew! running that hard in the "mild" 92 degree heat, wow.
sounds like fun. i love group workouts. they're so motivating, even if they always kick my ass.