Running Journal 12

Day: Thursday, June 21st

Time: 7:23 am

Duration: 32:38

Pace:  11'07"

Distance: 2.92 mi

Course: Tulane Campus, Audubon Park

Weather: Sunny & Breezy

Mood: Ready

Favorite Song on this Run: "Boogie Shoes" Glee Cast Version

Notes: So I took about a week break from running.  I can't run in the afternoons down here, it is very hot.  So I wanted to switch to running in the morning.  In 2009 when I decided I wanted to do road races, I was pretty embarrassed by my speed and ability in running.  So instead of running around the neighborhood or at a gym full of people, I would go the small gym at my apartment complex.  But I would go to this gym at 4am.  It was always empty, I could breath as loud as I needed, and I could build up my stamina alone.  It's safe to say that I became a morning runner because of these early runs.

So I had to start going to bed at 10pm.  Which is hard enough, but then I had to wake up at 6am.  The first day I did this I got up looked in the mirror and said, "Patrick, you handsome devil, you look like crap.  GO BACK TO BED" and that's exactly what I did.  This was the routine for the next couple of days.  I could wake up at 6, but I couldn't do much more than that.

Last night, I set out my running clothes and went to bed at 11pm, and popped up at 7am.  I was ready.  Threw on my clothes, stretched, and headed out.  It was an awesome run.  Except I was tragically devoid of water #mistake.  The only people awake was the football team, orientation kids, and old people walking around the park.  I made one loop around Audubon before heading back to campus.  Then, I was ready for my day to start, but I had an hour to do nothing...so...I took a nap! LOL!  Anyway, I'm back to running in the mornings...let's hope this sticks!

Chapter 6 in Marathon by Hal Higdon is all about learning how to train.  Making sure that you are eating and sleeping in such a way that helps improve your running.  The biggest takeaways from this chapter were: 1) know your level.  If you are a new runner don't try a training plan built for ans elite runner (and vice versa).  Victories during training may be small, but a victory is a victory.  2) Set reasonable goals.  So no running a 100 miles in a week, but pushing for 120 miles in a month is good for me! and 3) Running can be more fun with a friend.  There are training groups in some cities that will help you with technique and help put some miles behind you.  NOLA has two and they meet everyday except Friday, so I need to jump on some of those.

Peace,

PTJ