All the small things...

It's a HOT one out there! I got up for a run this morning and hit the road at about 5:45 AM. The humidity slapped me in the face before I even walked out the door. There was the familiar calm of the early morning but the humidity made it feel like it could have been 2 o'clock in the afternoon. I started off quite slowly, as is the usual, but my legs felt just a bit heavier, my breathing, ,just a bit more labored. I should not forget to mention that I did return to Group Power Saturday morning, but of course, I had to sneak in a quick, not so easy, exceptionally hilly run before the 1 hour of weight lifting I would do. Generally, this would not be such a big deal, but I had taken the previous week off from exercising, and I was sick most of the week, so...let's just say that those first few steps on this Monday morning jog would have been painful no matter what the humidity! OK, so I slowly walk myself to the end of the street, being sure NOT to 'begin workout' on the Nike+, because I know that this will just kill my pace read out at the end. Turn the corner, 'begin workout' and off I go! I am sure that those few early morning passers-by were wondering to themselves, why this woman would even attempt to run when clearly it is so painful for her! Not to worry! I trot through the first couple of miles telling myself that it will get easier... the muscles will loosen up... the breathing will regulate...eventually!

I jog on, with unwavering faith in that 5 0r 6 mile high that I have discovered and really come to appreciate. I run toward that amazingly light and airy feeling my legs will take on. I have, on more than one occasion, set a PR for my fastest mile in the last mile of a 6 or 7 mile run. THIS was not one of those days, but I'm OK with that,(i think)! I was able to play mind games enough to get me through a 7 mile run with a time of 58 minutes (about a 8:25/mile pace), on a morning when a LOT of odds could have been against me. I was tired, my muscles were sore, the humidity was nasty, and I partially doubted whether I could do more than 4 or so. I am bothered by my time, but I am trying to focus on the other victories that I have just mentioned. I'm gonna need to step it up for that 5K race coming up, though! I think I'm gonna hit the track Wednesday and Friday... ; )