Saturday 8 miler

COVID-19, “ The Rona Era”

Joyous, another 14 degree a.m. winter morning. Looking at my Hal Higdon: Marathon Novice training plan, today is an 8 miler. This would be my longest run of the year, thus far and it’s cold. I know running around the Charles Esplanade and a MIT loop along Memorial drive will be 8 miles. At least I knew the route and didn’t have to think about mileage. I just have to focus on staying warm and not getting wind burn.

I slept in a bit, because it is Saturday. Instead of waking up at 5 a.m. and starting my run at 6 a.m., I work up around 6:30a.m. and started my run at 7:30a.m. At least it was lighter and a bit warmer than 6a.m. starting time.

I was mindful that I was running along the Charles River, hopefully it would not be windy. The river looked frozen and I didn’t see any of my stalkers. Once I got my music going and my mittens on, I started running.

Even in this cold ass weather, I saw runners, lots and lots of runners. I wonder if everyone is in Boston Marathon training. I saw groups of women running, guys, and one latinx couple, I saw running, acknowledged me and I them as we passed each other.

See all the runners out, I thought, “ yup, this is why running is so white.” I think people(people of color) may not know how to dress in this weather to go and run. On my eight miles, I saw one black women, who was walking in her heavy coat, talking on the phone., she was not running.

I noticed there were not too many people running solo. I counted at least five people but, everyone was running with a partner(s).

Around mile 5.50, I started to tighten up and I felt my pelvic floor. Also, I was getting tired. I need to work on fuel and nutrition. Even thought I had on layered clothing, I need to work on proper or better layered options.

By the time I got to mile 7, I needed to stop and walk. It was perfect timing that my friend Beverly had called me. So I walked and talked with her for a mile.

8 miles done. This was a good way to see what I need to work on and adjust. The miles are just going to get longer.

Near the end of the route, I saw my stalkers. They are smart. All huddled up together trying to keep warm and moving less.