Last 5k on the course

COVID-19, “The Rona Era”

Today is another perfect weather running day. It’s 65 degrees out and cool. Today is a two’er. I’m going to run the road to wellness 5k course one last time before the actual race next Saturday. Then I’m going to meet my friend N. in Franklin Park to go for a walk. My plan is to start the course by 8a.m. and then meet N. at 9a.m. From the Dimock Center, the start of the race, to Franklin Park is about a 5 minute drive. I’m not worried about time. Besides it takes me around 30 minutes to run a 5k. Some of the training crew folks were going to run the course one last time today too. They weren’t going to run it until 8:45 a.m. I like to run early and I was meeting N.

I started running at 7:50a.m. I was able to do it alone and listen and feel out my body. I did practice the breathing exercises my PT showed me before starting to run. I just took my time while running on the course. A little bit after mile 2, when I made my turn on Martin Luther King Blvd, some guy turned the corner in his car, and made hard eye contact as he was focusing on me instead of the road. I hate when that happens. So fucking annoying. Let me get this straight, you giving me a hard stare at 8:20a..m. is suppose to me smile at you and give you my number, while I run alone.

I noticed the first mile I was tight, the second and third it got better. I even stopped and walked for a bit. This was also the suggestion from my PT. Things I have to keep working on.

Afterwards, I finished at 31:59. When finished, I saw a lady in the parking lot who flagged me to come over. She was one of the runners and was waiting for other people to come. I told her I wouldn’t be joining them today because of my 9a.m. meeting with my friend but I look forward to seeing her next Saturday. We said some more words, then I made my way to my car.

The loop around Franklin Park is a bit over two miles. I wondered now, how things will be walking after running. I drove to Franklin Park and had some time to stretch before N showed up. It was great to see and have some friend time. I was a bit sweaty, we walked and talked through the coolness of the park. It was good to catch up. I didn’t even realize how fast the time when by. When we got to our cars( N. had parked behind me on the street). We sat down and chit chatted some more. By this time it was around 10:15a.m. and we both had to go.

Today, ran/walked over five miles. This is a good goal for the month and to kick off what I expect from myself the rest of this month. While making sure I keep consist with breathing and stretching exercises.

3.04 miles; 10:31 ave. pace

Mile 1: 10:53

Mile 2: 9:59

Mile 3:10:36