First 10 miler of 2024

COVID-19, “The Rona Era”

This is the Saturday that I am going to run 10 miles. My goal is to run 10 miles every Saturday, leading up to the Flying Pig Half Marathon. This morning, there are torrential rains. I was like a little kid, waking up every hour, starting at 5a.m. to see if the rain had stop. If so, then I could go out and run. I went back to bed and woke up at 6a.m. After looking out of my window, I went back to bed again. At 7 a..m. the rain seemed lighter than before but I went back to bed. This time I woke up at 7:40a.m. The rain was getting lighter. By the time I drove and parked across the Charles at MIT, it wasn’t too bad out.

My plan was simple. I was going to run along the charles, then turn on Massachusetts Ave, and head towards the Commons, Public Park, and downtown crossing. I saw on the news clowns as apart of public art works downtown. Of course I had to explore.

I didn’t start running until after 8a.m. which is late for me. I was meeting Beverly at 10:45a.m. in Dorchester for coffee, plenty of time. Or so I thought.

The rain, puddles, stalkers, clowns, me taking pictures, all lead to a running slow down. It’s about persistence not perfection. I had to readjust to how my body was feeling.

My pace ranged from 12:05( first mile) , 11:25, 13:13, 14:49, my fasted was 10:46 at mile 9. I think that is when my grooved hit me. I’m not making any excuses but it was a challenge. I got tired. I didn’t have hydration, fuel, or even switch off between running and walking breaks.

Lessons learned. I have a baseline to work with.

2:00:02 for 10 miles at an average pace of 12:00min/mile. For me, I can do better. Besides leaving my watch at home and getting a $40 ticket, it was a good first 10 miler run.