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Run One is Done

Total Distance 3.12 Miles
Total Duration 38:57
Avg 12:29

 Mile 1: 11:01
Mile 2: 12:31
Mile 3: 13:27

 Start Time: 6:15 P.M.  Weather: 55° Raining

All I could think about today was my run. I had decided to leave work around 5, drive to the Y, change and run on their outdoor paved trail, and then pickup my daughter from dance across the street at 6:30.

I also picked up some more gear. I got an iWatch so I would not have to run with my phone but still have all the modern conveniences and distractions that a smart phone affords.

Calculating my time, I realized I was not going to run for an hour so I delayed at the office. Then I got caught up with an impromptu co-worker drop in meeting. Desperate to get out the door, I pretty much walked out and shut my office door while they were still talking.

Now I'm running late. No problem. Straight to dance and run the sidewalks.

But I have to change cloths. I duck into the local coffee shop, order a coffee and quick change. Back out and on to the dance pickup location. I'm almost out of the car but then...

TECH FAIL!

I can't get the iWatch, iPhone syncing with the appropriate exercise app. My ear buds aren't paired with my iWatch. Minutes are ticking down. I'm feeling robbed. Maybe I should just shut the car door and start running. That's what's important. But I want records. I want motivation!

It finally all comes together. I have 15 minutes to run plus any time my daughter gets let out late, which is often. Maybe I can get a couple of miles in. Something to say I got started today. Did I mention it is raining. I don't really notice because I'm so amped up.

I take off like a gazelle. Everything feeling great up to the 1/3 mile point. Then the dreaded lung pain and lower calfs start screaming. My mind goes to a dark place. "This is what always happens when I run." I slow to a jog.

Push through. Keep going. Not going to be the same this time. I pick up the pace. I slow the pace. Pickup the pace. Then out of nowhere, in my ear I hear, "1 mile 11 minutes 1 second pace"

Tech to the rescue. My iWatch is telling me I completed my first mile. 11 minutes. Nothing to write home about (or a blog) but not too bad. I press on.

I finish 1.5 miles as I run up to the door of the dance studio. My daughter is still not out but my beautiful wife is there as a backup ride. We discuss my run. I think she was impressed I was running in the rain. She tells me to finish my run and she'll handle the carpool. Wow. Blessed. I take off again. I'm going to easily get 2 miles today. As I run down the street I begin to think, "Hmm 1.65 miles on the iWatch. I'm over half way to 3 miles. Maybe I can do 3. Isn't 3 a 5K?" I keep going. There's a downhill. What goes down must come up. Ugh!

Then I hear the 2 mile announcement. I'm slowing down but I might just pull this off.

Uphill now. Legs are howling. Can I beat a 12 minute mile for 3 miles?
2.9 miles on the iWatch. How long is .1 mile? 500 feet. Time's running out. I've slowed to an uphill shuffle, trying not to walk. "3 miles 36 minutes 59 seconds" Well I didn't make 12 min/mile but that will be my first goal. I did finish 3 miles and by the time I'd gotten back to the car is was over 3.1 miles so I finished a 5k on my first day.

My body is tired but I feel good about myself and I'm thankful for my gear and my tech (and my wife!) It helped me along the road.





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