I think I CAN!

What a great night!!  The temps were low 80's and so was the humidity.  Can it be that we are getting a brief break from summer?  Could this be the start of fall weather?? 

I ran to a Pod Runner I've never used before.  It was a step mix.  The music break down was like this: 10 min - 150 BPM,  10 min - 160 BPM, 10 min - 170 BPM, 10 min - 160 BPM, 10 min - 150 BPM, and then 10 min even slower for cool off.  (BPM = beats per minute). 

I finished my run a few minutes sooner than normal. I was really very excited!  This is one of those nights when everything clicked together.  Good temps, good humidity, good music, good run.

For anyone that doesn't know, Podrunner is free workout music.  You can use your iTunes to download to your iPod or go the DJ's webpage and download it in mp3 format.  There are several (3+ years worth) workout mixes to choose from.  You can choose fast workout music for tempo runs or slower mixes for the long slow runs.

For the first time in many many many months I ran a long run solo.  It was not as dull and mundane as I had dreaded.  Actually, it was a nice change of pace.  For starters, I got to sleep in and start my run at 8AM instead of 6AM.  The weather cooporated and didn't reach 85 until my last mile or two.  The humidity was low (for us) and the pace was comfortable.

I ran on base in some of the neighborhoods where the old condemed homes have been bulldozed and removed to make room for newer office buildings.  I came up on a deer and ran by her with about 15 feet between us.  She couldn't decide if she wanted to bolt or freeze.

Although this was an enjoyable run  I must admit that I enjoy running and having fellowship with fellow runners better.

Today I did my standard 5:15 AM run with my 68 y/o running partner. The recent weather has been perfect.  I'm not sure it was even 70 when we started and the humidty is under 100 percent. 

We named a few more hills as well took on some new ones.  We ran a few of last weeks hills backwards so that the one we named "easy hill" really was.  However it really stunk once we got to the bottom. Easy hill has a twin brother named S.O.B.  That by the way stands for shortness of breath. :)

I've got to say that I've got mixed feelings about these early morning runs.  I'm planning my night and now I have an extra hour and some in my schedule becuase I don't need to workout/shower.  That said, I'm still a weeeeee bit tired from getting up at 4:45 this morning. 

I think I'll try and catch some winks early this evening and try for another early run tomorrow.

I think my last entry mentioned that I was going to get up and run at the crack of dawn once again.  Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! Apparently I wrote that while still flying high on endorphins.  Five AM came and went while I visited the nice little place called slumber land.

I had a nice 5.25 miles this evening.  I think the hilly routes and the agreeable temps are to credit the fact I was 20 seconds per mile faster today than my normal pace. I wasn't trying to go faster but the wonderful Garmin said I did.

What I didn't write on Sat log was the fact the last 3/4 of the last mile was crap.  I was extraordinarily winded after only 20 seconds of running. When I switched to walking to prevent my heart from bursting out of my chest I had the pain equivalent of a charlie horses in both calves.  After doing research on dehydration and over hydration (hypoatremia) I see that there are several symptoms that are similar between the two. I'm vexed at what my problem might have been.  I will say that my legs and arms felt very gritty from the salt.  Perhaps my sodium levels were down.  Is the best solution to hydrate well and pop electrolyte tablets?

The interesting thing about running is the fact that I've learned more of physiology of the body, medical conditions that can be caused by exercising, several types of aliments that end in "itis" and so much more.

Seems the heat and humidity wanted to return this weekend. :-b

 These were some hard miles this morning. 

I woke up early this morn before 5:15 and decided to do a few miles.  This is not my normal thought at 5:15AM but I went to bed early and couldn't go back to sleep.  I had a really nice 3 mile run at a pace about a min faster per mile than my normal weekday run.  Sweet.

that said, I'm a weeee bit tired sitting at work today.