Day 93: On the Road Again

Today was the first day in almost two weeks where I haven’t used the treadmill and wow what a difference does it make.  I decided to go for a jog outdoors while it was not raining after work since, sure enough, the thunder storms did roll in. 

I hit the pavement at a good pace.  I made the half mile mark in six minutes on pace for a twelve minute mile.  The road I jog resembles an oscillating wave.  You spend a few minutes jogging uphill then a few jogging down and so on.  The half mile mark happens to be at the top of the first big hump and I quickened my pace interested in seeing if I could break my outdoor mile record.

However, the second hill was not going to cooperate with me.  It is the steepest and mile mark is almost at the top.  I dug in but soon developed a side stitch.  That is the difference between jogging the great outdoors and the assisted jogging of a treadmill. Oddly my lungs were burning slightly as I approached the mile mark at 13:06 or a little over four and a half miles an hour. 

For the second mile I coasted a bit consciously trying to keep up a good pace but my tired legs were struggling despite the fact my lungs could take it.  By the time I made it back to my house the clouds were starting to gather and shortly thereafter it rained, again. 

We have resorted to taking vitamin D since we are pretty sure we may never see the sun again.  Already it is become a myth that parents tell their kids… “When I was your age there was this big yellow ball of fire in the sky.”  I am tired of this winter sky in summer. 

I am also watching the tread on my running shoes very carefully and I am afraid it is almost time for new shoes. I keep reading different opinions as to when you should change your running shoes.  Some people have a milage or time period change time and then another said when your knees or feet start hurting it is time.  Right now my shoes feel fine so I will continue to use them but that could change at any time. 

Daily Recap:

Matt: 35 Minute jog outside in the awful humidity

Kelly: 1 Hour personal trainer with 1 hour walk around the lake