The Symmetry of 22
Such a lovely number, dontcha think? I like it even better now that I’m done running it.
Got up at 5:30, had my usual bit of coffee, even had something to eat beforehand (rare occurrence)…peanut butter on a 1/2 a hot-dog bun (don’t ask). I knew I was going to be out for a while, so figured a little something in my gut might be a good idea.
Wore my Tramp Stamp shorts which I am no longer mad at. Now that I know where to apply the Body Glide, I’m liking them quite a bit - a gal can always use a back pocket. I filled my gel flask with 2 gels & water and then stuck an as-of-yet-untested-flavor Power Gel Double Latte (double caffeine) in that back pocket. Wanted to see if more caffeine at the end would be noticeable or not. It wasn’t.
It was 73 degrees with 75% humidity when I started at 6:30, so I actually took the first 3 miles at recovery run pace - 10:07s. I told myself that the object of today was time on my feet, and not to feel guilty if I went slower than usual. By the end of the run it was 80, so it was a bit of a toasty morning.
I had a good run! Did the museum loop and the Schuylkill riverwalk, then went back the way I came, detoured onto Smile Hill at around 15.5 for a single up-and-down (I won’t kid you, I was happy to see I only needed to do it once to make the correct mileage to get home), then 4.5 back home.
I lucked out, didn’t have one red stop light the whole run, so I never stopped the clock, the only physical stopping was 1:20, the amount of time it took to refill my water bottle 4 times. Avg. for the run: 9:32, pretty much smack dab on Pfitz’s prescribed pace with the last three miles averaging 8:48.
Btw, don’t know if your city has them, but Philly is putting those fab new walk lights at almost every main intersection now, they give you the actual time left before the lights change, which is soooo helpful. No more kamikaze running across to beat the light, I can actually see I’ve got 6 seconds left and speed up accordingly. Really cool.
In other running news, I’m pretty excited because my schedule calls for an 8k-15k tune-up race next weekend but there isn’t anything local, so I was going to do a time trial. But I found a 4mile race for Labor Day in a town about 45 minutes away, so I’m going to do it! OK, it’s not 8k (aka 5 mile race), but it’s better than a 5K and I’ll be able to give it a proper race effort, which a time trial wouldn’t have been. I’m scared though!! I don’t race enough to be used to them yet, which is all the more reason for doing it (and one of the reasons Pfitzinger puts them in the plan in the first place).
And now, I’ll leave you with this link to a hilarious Usain Bolt spoof. He’s the guy that set new World Records at the Olympics in the 100m, 200m and 4×100m relay. But in the 100m, Bolt showed an unfortunate lack of good sportsmanship when he looked around, then beat his chest in self-congratulations before the race was even over. Hah, this video is perfect. Enjoy, and I’ll see you back here later.
Tags: long run, pfitz 18/55, races
August 24th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Loved the Usain Bolt spoof. thanks. Just finished a 20 miler myself. Dang it got hot the last couple miles.
August 24th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Congrats Bruce!! Dogpound (aka Doggie Poo) did hers, too. Now the day is our own, yay!
August 24th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
I’m so glad to have the rest of the day to be fed grapes and fanned.
August 24th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
LOL!! Hey Doggie Poo, you’re is the 1000th comment! There’ll be a huge prize awaiting you at the PDR FE…one large Diet Coke or the beverage of your choosing. It was that or 8 Chippendales guys coming to your house with the palm fronds and grapes, but I think you’d prefer the beverage. I would too, as a matter of fact (something about those bowties and orphaned shirt cuffs just skeeves me out).
August 24th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Ok whos feeding me grapes.
I was so close to being the 100th comment. I definitely would of taken the beverage.
Congrats on the 20 miler doggie poo!
August 24th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Hah, Bruce, your offer would have included a harem of Pure Platinum babes, but since you’re likely to run faster disease-free, Diet Coke would indeed be the better choice. Too bad there isn’t a prize for 1002nd post. 2000 should be approaching in a few months though…
August 24th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
since the award will be given in philly, I would like either:
1. an ishkabibles veggie hoagie or
2. Dinner at Moritmoto.
August 24th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Well, Miss Ungrateful
Morimoto is totally overrated (and besides, you have one in NYC).
The Hoagie can be arranged, though you have to come to the FE first.
August 24th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
The Morimoto in Philly is actually much better than the one here. Plus I have my own special over the top insane sushi place here for when I have the desire to remortgage my house.
THat FE just sounds insane!
August 24th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Aw, it’ll be a good time! I used to post on Beginners and then stopped many months ago, so I’ll know a small handful of people. There’ll also be folks from L&O who I don’t know, but just to say it’s not only the Beginners forum. It’ll be a bunch of cool runners excited for the race the next day. It’s fun! We’ll sit together! PM me if you need more arm-twisting.
August 24th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Good job on the long runs Flo and Poo. So how did those last two miles feel Flo?
I did a 5K today. 22:41 - new PR. Looks like marathon conditioning lasts a while
August 24th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Congratulations, Jim!! Woohoo!! That’s some swell 5K PR! Looking forward to collecting my own apre-marathon PRs, too. Any more races coming up soon?
About the last two miles… I didn’t consider making it a 23 or anything, and I was hot and soaked through, but I felt pretty good, considering. Now it’s dinnertime and I just walked a few blocks to the grocery store - very surprised that my legs don’t even feel tired, so unless I get DOMS tomorrow, looks like my body’s getting used to all these running shenanigans. Knock on wood, paper and recycled products.
August 25th, 2008 at 11:33 am
Great job on the 22-miler! That’s amazing that your legs didn’t feel tired afterwards. Mine were totally shot!
August 25th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Flo: Nice job on the 22! I only did 18 Saturday, I feel like such a slacker in your company (and the last 5 took almost an hour)
August 25th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Thanks Greenlee!
Tobey, nothing near a slacker so don’t even joke. Some days are better than others and that’s the truth! Congrats on the 18, all the more because it was hard.