I did it! I PRed what is one of my tougher runs, and so late in the season. Last 10K PR occurred on September 6, so it gives you an idea of how hard it is to beat. Was cruising comfortably, looking for a sub 45 minute time, and was on pace to finish in 44:50 – ish. But at my 40 minute audio cue, I needed to be at least at 8.89 – 8.90, instead was only at 8.87 kilometers. I knew then, any hope was lost. Now, only question was of PRing, and by how much. Bettered it by 4 seconds, and missed 45 minutes by 8 seconds. It was my 8 and 9 kilometer splits where I lost about 15 seconds. Still pleased, I mean a PR is a PR, lol!
I’ve been saying to myself for quite some time now, “one day I’m gonna go for my run, and run a half marathon”. That day never came, never came close … 12K was as far as I got. Even then, I was going through it in my mind, and I knew 100 minutes would be around my time (well, the time I wanted to achieve), but I also felt, I’d probably miss it by just a bit … and I did … 101 minutes & 3 seconds. Typically, I’m a bat outta hell type of runner, running fast from the start, so when I near home (8K), I stop. Today, I reigned in my pace from the beginning, I knew this would be the only way I’d ever run a half marathon. And at the 50 minute mark – what I perceive as the half way point, my audio cue had me at 10.64K … so I was well ahead of a sub 100 minute pace … and I kept up that pace for 13K … but as you can see from my 14K – 21K splits, I started slipping … slowly, not much … and again, at least all those splits were consistent. And check out those calories burned – 2384!!!! WHOA!!
It’s not a tumour … apologies Arnold (twice, lol). Just chuffed as fuck with my back to back 8K record runs! Went out running this morning without any thoughts/expectations/goals, knew I was moving well/comfortably … and at the 25 minute audio cue, I suddenly became highly motivated – I think I was EXACTLY where I was for yesterday’s record run … but I also knew I was about to better it! Today, with under 3 kilometers to run, I felt much stronger than during yesterday’s run … and while I was so proud of yesterday’s 35 minute audio cue – 7.78 kilometers … today, I was filled with anticipation (and giddiness, lol) as I neared my marker, listening intently for it in my earbuds … 7.83 kilometers …170 meters more, 24 hours later – a new 8K PR … HOLLA Y’ALL!!
Ok, so technically NOT an official, organized one. Hey, I tried signing up for the JAZZ RUN in the Beaches tomorrow, but they were sold out. Fuck it – I’ll run my own 5K TODAY!!
Quickie Recap:
I run 8K daily – EVERYDAY … and usually I run two 4Ks wanting a great 4K PR time – and as I’ve mentioned before it’s a circular route, and the halfway point is the perfect spot to stop my RunKeeper app. At times, I run the 8K without breaking it into two separate runs, and 10K occasionally – even 12K too, bottom line, I travel well past 5 kilometers every single day, but I’ve never hit start/stop for the 5K distance?!?! I know, weird eh, lol?! Now, I knew (roughly) what I was capable of by looking at my strong 8K runs, and of course, at all of those fast 4k times I’ve put down. I figured I could go sub 18 minutes for the four, tack on another four and a half minutes for the fifth kilometer, and I’d be sitting chilly on a quick 22:30 5K – and I’d def be chuffed as fuck with that!
Today’s Run:
Started like I always try to – like a bat outta hell … and as typical, I began questioning how well/fast I was traveling/feeling, lol! After my 15 minute audio cue, I knew I was flying … after 20 minutes, I was at 4.53 kilometers … HOLY CUBAN CIGAR SMOKES BATMAN – 470 meters more, and I hit STOP on my app … twentytwominutes&twoseconds … I couldn’t fucking believe it … I STILL can’t believe it – 22:02!! Not only did I exceed expectations, I blew them away by a huge margin! And knowing myself, and especially not wanting to disappoint myself … I don’t know if I can ever run a 5K again, lol!
God we’ve been blessed with the best temps lately … lows of 10° and highs of 20° … ideal for sleeping, yet not hot during the day … and today was a not-a-cloud-in-the-sky-clear-blue-sky-day … I love it!!
Ok, this blogpost is one of those all over the fucking place posts … fair warning!
I had a lot of shit on my plate today … good shit though … I went and got a physical today, first time I’ve had a physical in I don’t know how long I’ve had a physical, lol … weighed in at 73kg – 160lb … I don’t think I’ve been that weight since I was a teen-ager … and how excited do you think I was ready to spill the beans, divulging to the Doc ’bout my 8K mornings … no way I was gonna refrain from telling him that, lol … and yeah, the good doctor was impressed, and by my weight … the changes in my life – will get to that, be patient (pun, lol) as well!
Oh, and this early morning’s 6:30 run turned into a 10K’er … and I responded with a PR of 48 minutes – one full minute faster than before …
I’m proud that I was under 5 minutes on every single kilometer split … in fact, I was very, very consistent throughout – my slowest (KM 9) was only 10 seconds off pace … I think I was reserving energy while waiting for the 45 minute audio cue, leaving something in the tank for the final surge … OH, and also (forgot to mention) … I’ve been going out nightly with Tiff for her 5.3 km walks … and lemme tell y’all they ain’t exactly easy, they take a toll on my body as well. Lately, I’ve been a 12 hour run/walk cycle … like clockwork!
And all these changes I mentioned; flaxseed, hemp seed, edamame, Greek yogurt, Rainbow Trout (not new, but more of it), organic pre-washed baby kale (and spinach) … I know I’m missing many … the point is I’m eating/living better! Since we got the Vitamix, we’ve both been doing incredibly better – in fact for one week straight, we were using it four times daily (Tiff with her Harley body reset diet, and me with my own thing) … even now, it’s two or three times a day, and right now, it’s been only for smoothies, healthy smoothies … but still, we’re def getting our money’s worth!
Things are going great lately with all of this, the running (and walking), the healthier diet … I’m just chuffed as fuck with it all … today was a perfect day in my paradise, and I thought I’d share!!
danistrulytheman 