Friday, July 13, 2007

The weather is here, I wish you were beautiful

One of my favorite Jimmy Buffett songs, and slightly appropriate to today's report.

We've seen a dramatic cooling in temperatures this week, meaning I don't feel like I have to leave the house at 6 a.m. [not that I ever have, mind you] to get a good run in. It also means I don't feel like a wadded-up washcloth when I'm done.

Yesterday I walked a brisk half-mile warm-up, ran three miles and walked slightly less briskly for a half mile. The total time was 55 minutes. The three-mile time was 33:15. Adam was moaning about how much his 11-minute pace sucked and I was giving myself a high-five because I thought I was so awesome!

It's all relative.

Here's what the temperatures looked like at the start and finish. I'm not sure the starting humidity was accurate; it didn't feel that close or damp. Coming to the finish was great, though. One of my most satisfying runs all summer.

And no sugar yesterday! One day down, the rest of my life to go.

I ran on an empty stomach in the morning and had a scoop of tuna salad [made with light mayo] with a fresh tomato when I finished. Mid-afternoon I had some cheese and whole-wheat crackers. Last night was a Greek salad topped with grilled salmon. A pretty high-protein day, all in all, and I didn't have any cravings for sweets. Well, maybe a little, but I talked myself out of it because I knew y'all would be wondering.

Training for the City of Oaks Half-Marathon starts Monday. Like Mary Christine, I love training. I love the discipline, I love crossing off each day when I'm done, I love knowing I will be doing whatever that little schedule says to do, no matter what. There's no "will I or won't I" once the schedule kicks in. I should live every day in training.

For the two or three people who find my blog every day [seriously!] by Googling for "Sicko in WV," the wait is over. The Great Escape theatre in Nitro, WV is now showing it. Nitro is north of Charleston and east of Huntington. Enjoy!

4 comments:

Lori G. said...

I have been feeling bad watching people who have to work outside this week and the people who are out jogging. Even at 8 a.m., the air was dense and hot. So I'm really proud of you for getting out there and doing it.

I have to say, the suggestion that Anne made a long time ago about putting stickers on the calendar has helped me a lot with exercise. It's somewhat like your checklists and crossing things off.

And, congratulations on another day without sugar. My mother could cave in five minutes. (Her version of ice tea is 1/2 cup of sugar with two eyedroppers of tea thrown in.)

Keep up the good work!

ws said...

those temps are dreamy. I can't recall the last time we were in the high 60's or even low 70's. I'm adapting though, which is sad.

Sounds like a great run, and the fact that you enjoyed it is even better, speed is relative and a good, fun run is better than a faster, miserable one.

you have that 4-miler tomorrow, right - good luck (or ignore this if I have the day wrong).

Shauna said...

Oh wow! I've never heard anyone but Scottish people say "close" like that before, but now you've said it too! Are you secretly blogging away in a tartan dress?! Hehe :) I've always liked that word.

And three cheers for your sugar free day, mate :)

Debbi said...

Yes, the four-miler is tomorrow, Wendy. Thanks for remembering! I waffled about running today or not, decided not to because I really do seem to do better with rest day now and then.

I love to do stickers/stars on my calendar. I think maybe a small star would fit on the training schedule ... will have to see. Last time I just crossed each day off with a Sharpie.

As for the Scottish use of the word "close," Mr. Shrinking Knitter's family is of Scottish descent. Perhaps I picked it up by osmosis?