“A person should set his goals as early as he can and devote all his energy and talent to getting there. With enough effort, he may achieve it. Or he may find something that is even more rewarding. But in the end, no matter what the outcome, he will know he has been alive.” - Walt Disney

Monday, May 23, 2011

Lackluster Lakeland Run

I had a good time visiting some old friends in Florida this weekend - good friends, good fun, and good food!  What wasn't so good was my run.  I had 9 miles on my schedule, and my group in Dallas was planning on doing 3.  So I figured I'd compromise and try to get 4-6 miles (depending on how I was feeling) in on my own.

The whole run was practically doomed from the start.  I had anticipated doing the run on a gym treadmill, so I hadn't brought any of my usual outdoor running gear - no handheld water bottle, visor, spibelt, or ipod...you name it, I was missing it.  I did, however, bring the essentials: my clothes, shoes, garmin, and cytomax powder (from the Dallas R'n'R goody bag) - so I still wanted to go, even if not completely prepared/outfitted as usual.  We got a late start Saturday morning, and by the time I hit the pavement, it was 8:30 am, which in Lakeland in mid-May means it's already very warm and humid.  But I needed to get this run done - no excuses!

I set out on my run with a bottle of water in one hand, my phone in the other, and a borrowed visor on my head.  I started with a couple loops around one of the downtown lakes, but there was no shade and it was getting downright hot - with no breeze to speak of.  So I moved away from the lake and headed into historic downtown, which was more hilly, but at least promised shaded sidewalks.  Still, the travel the day before and weather was obviously taking it's toll, and I was done at 3 miles.  Not at all what I'd hoped to get, but at least I did the same distance as the group back home...

Saturday's stats:
  • 10 minute warm-up walk
  • 3.10 mi run; 0:40:26 min;  13:02 pace