12 miles today
Today I did my 12 miles on the dirt roads. This was the farthest I’d ever gone running near my house before. It was kinda neat to see what was at the other end of the road. There was an old farmhouse with a big, tree-filled pasture with a few sheep. I liked it.
I worked very hard to keep my pace slow. I tried to relax and just do a nice easy run. I checked my Forerunner to make sure the pace was between 9:40 and 10:40, and if it was faster, I slowed way down. I found that a pace that feels too slow, actually turns out to be about right. And at that pace, I felt like I could run forever.
That being said, with 4 miles to go I ran into my running partner from a few weeks back. He was coming towards me and decided he had run far enough and turned around to join me. I worked really hard to keep him at my pace. I would slow slightly and he backed off to stay where I was. The pace crept up a few times, but I held it ok. 1:56:45, 9:44 pace. I was really pleased with it, even if we did pick it up a little at the end.
I’m feeling pretty sore right now though. Even after a good cold bath, my right hip feels a little wonky (is that the right word?) and the shins are whining. Actually, they whined pretty loud at the start of the run. Rotten shins.
Oh yeah, and I was charged by two new dogs. They lived next door to the three-legged dog from yesterday. They came racing down the hill from their house. One of them pulled back and wouldn’t leave the yard, but the other came right out into the road. I did my most pissed-off-I’m-gonna-kill-a-stupid-dog-today yelling voice, “NO! GO (the f#@%) HOME!”. When I came back, they were inside. I’m very certain that someone heard me yelling at their dogs. BWAHAhahahaha! :D
August 6th, 2005 22:35
what IS it with you and dogs?! it certainly is puzzling. great job keeping the pace reasonable. sounds like you’ve found your aerobic threshold - that pace you could run hours in. i was just going to write something about that!
August 6th, 2005 23:38
Sounds like an excellent run inspite of all the dogs. Did you know that dogs have been considered the servants of humanity throughout history? They are also the guardians of hell, ancient secrets, hidden treasures, and babies. Hmmmm…where exactly are you running?
August 7th, 2005 02:32
Boy, you’re doing well on your running. I hate dogs when I run. That’s why we own cats! kirsten
August 7th, 2005 11:11
Gosh, sounds like a nice run! Every run should include sheep and dirt roads, I think. But not dogs. I’m against them, constitutionally, when it comes to running (or walking). Damn dogs!
August 7th, 2005 12:53
Ok, this whole dog thing is getting spooky. Have all the dogs lost their minds and they’re starting to turn on runners? Or is this just a standard summer thing that I never noticed before?
Keryn just blogged about getting chased by dogs today. Sheesh!
August 7th, 2005 12:58
Finding out that you actually don’t have to kill yourself on a long run is one of the most liberating discoveries that I’ve made! I can keep the pace comfortable and still get the benefits.
August 7th, 2005 19:20
Maybe you should just get your OWN dog!! Hehe!
Me thinks the cold bath would make Me a little WONKY!
August 7th, 2005 19:53
I love finding that “I can run forever” pace, it takes me a while to settle into it .. but once there it’s great
August 7th, 2005 20:40
12 miles is a good run especially when you could run forever. I felt the same today (11 miles) and, fortunately, saw no dogs anywhere.
Did you enjoy having the running partner? You made no mention of conversation.
August 7th, 2005 20:54
I am working on the “slower is better” pace for my ever-increasing longer runs, too. Great job, Jon.
August 7th, 2005 21:14
LMAO love the evil you yelling at the dogs…that is so funny.
12 miles is fantastic Jon. Hope your hip and shins are feeling better
August 7th, 2005 21:42
yes-wonky. niggle. all are appropriate wordage for what you have :) how frustrating. i hope it all feels better in a few days.
August 8th, 2005 07:23
Good run Jon, you’ll be up to 20 in no time:) Great job keeping the pace down!
I got it all figured out about the dogs, they were over at the neighbors doing a high level planning session to come up with an action plan for the next time the chocolate runners wanders by. Don’t forget the mace and flamethrower!