The weather was actually beautiful this morning. Perfect running weather. However, I had personal commitments from early morning to mid afternoon and couldn't get outside to attempt my 8-9mile run until late in the afternoon.
When I started out, it was definately breezy, but the run seemed doable. It didn't take long and the wind started to pick up. At first, I just thought of it as resistance training. But the real problem here in New Mexico isn't the wind; it's the sand/dust that accompanies the wind. Soon, I was being sandblasted. It felt like someone was stabbing me with hundreds of needles, but the deal breaker was sand in the eyes. At that point, I knew I needed to throw in the towel. I ended up cutting it short by about 2.5 miles.
I'm not happy that I haven't done the full scheduled 8-9 miles. I'm cautiously optimistic that I still might be able to go the distance this weekend if I'm able get outside tomorrow early afternoon after church.
No matter what happens for the rest of the weekend, I am going to focus on a few positive things:
1 - I completed a 5.45 mile run. I didnt see a single other runner out there in the afternoon wind/sand storm. I rock.
2 - I tried a new run/walk interval. 9min run, 1 min walk. Usually I do this by distance instead of time (more like run .9miles, walk .1 miles). I liked this new interval and will try it again next time.
3 - I felt good when I got home. Really good. Except for the sand in the eyes. I had to take my contacts out immediately and clean them. But other than that, I felt good.
4 - I ran in one of my running skirts. Not only are running skirts cute, they are extremely comfortable. Running skirts make me happy.
5 - I *heart* accelerade. I've experimented with different flavors, premix vs. powder, etc in the past year. Right now I'm using on the blue powder kind. I think I've found my favorite.
Well done you hardcore thing!
ReplyDeleteI nearly always run 9:1, it just suits me and is easy to count too LOL
Great job on getting out there.I can't imagine.
ReplyDeleteI love the 9:1 minute. Worked great my last half.
Aren't you a triathlete? Next time wear your goggles :-D
ReplyDeleteHard core indeed! I tried 9 and 1 at marathon pace and it just plain tuckered me out. I went back to 3 and 1 and that is a good interval for me. If you find 9 and 1 good for you, then stick to it!! and its great that you are practicing it now!!!
Well - no Sunday running for me. At the moment the wind is a steady 35mph with gusts around 50mph and sand is blowing everywhere.
ReplyDeleteYIKES on the crunchy eyes :-(
ReplyDeleteYou know, I'm beginning to love Accelerade myself. Peach mango YUM!
I love how my posted those positives at the end of your post! So often we find ourselves always focussed on the negatives, or worse, looking for a negative in something that others would see as good!
ReplyDeleteI think 5.45 miles in a sandstorm is quite a challenge and you took it on and did what you could! :) Nice job!
"my" should be "you"... oops:)
ReplyDeleteWay to go on the run, running right through adversity!
ReplyDeleteYeah, today kind of sucked big time too. I was smacked in the butt by a tumbleweed the size of a VW. It is surprisingly painful, btw. I loooovvve ORANGE accelerade, and am hoping to try the lemonade soon.
ReplyDeleteSay, LLLiiiiisssssaaaaaaa,
I'm going to play hookey a couple of times in late April and May and head up to Cochiti in my long-sleeve wet-suit. Are you in???
Loads of cheerfulness in your post... with sand in your eyes...
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your Saturday afternoon.
OH I so hear you about the damn wind. And I thought yesterday was bad on the bike! I managed to drag my butt out of bed to avoid the wind today but you are my hero to be out this afternoon! I would have stopped early too..
ReplyDeleteStrong long.. I've had sand in my lenses.. not at all pleasant and probably not half as bad the storm you had! Since then I always wear shades. Good work doing it with the tough conditions.
ReplyDeleteYou might have to get some goggles for that sand blowing in your face..
ReplyDeleteGood job out there, like you said, nobody else ws running..
I think run/walk intervals by time is alot better formula, you never know what how long it will tke you to go the .9 mile, depending on conditions
Yes, you do rock! Just getting out there later in the day makes you exceptional. If I don't get it done early, I find too many other distractions and end up putting if off. Also, the run/walk intervals really do work. I find I can keep almost the same pace all throughout a workout when I use this method. Great job!
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed that you ran in that sand storm! Even if you had to cut it short.
ReplyDeleteThere's just no way to train in the wind we had yesterday afternoon...that was crazy!
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree that running skirts are the best!!
I saw an orange running skirt in my Athleta catalog this weekend and thought of you!
ReplyDeleteYou are stronger than I...when anything gets in my eyes I am a big ole baby!
Great run!
Take Care!
I like how you concentrate on the positive aspect..
ReplyDeletegood job.
I always liked doing intervals by time rather than distance...maybe just because it was easier for me to measure without a garmin and all...
ReplyDeletethe only time i ever had accelerade was at the rock n roll half in Virginia Beach and i was not a fan but we had nasty yellow...maybe blue is better
You totally rock for being out there in the wind and sand! It's been windy here as well, such a bummer!
ReplyDeleteThat sucks about the weather/windy sandstorm. But, you're right - that's hard core getting out there in that with no one else around.
ReplyDeleteI like what Stacey put too! She's right. I too liked your positive points!!
Icky, on the sand-eyes! But congrats on getting out there!
ReplyDeleteThat's very impressive determination on your part!
ReplyDeleteYour run reminds me of a scene in a triathlon video I saw where Peter Reed only got a 4 hour bike ride in instead of the 6 hours he wanted while the city was in the middle of a blizzard. At the end, he looked at it that he got a workout in when nobody else did, so it was an advantage for him. Sounds like you got yourself a little advantage with that run. Great job!
ReplyDeleteYou are crazy-strong for being out there in those conditions and not seeing anyone else. I love that feeling!!
ReplyDelete