Houston FIT - Day One

Topic: Eight is Great
Key Words: Bud Light, Sponge Bob, Blisters
Word Count: 849
Tomorrow's Likely Topic: Barry White Would Wear Mizuno

Today was the start of the Houston FIT Fall Marathon training program. I was a bit surprised that our coach said we should be running five times a week, as I thought Houston FIT advocated four times a week. Here's the details:

• Long run on Saturday morning (get's up to 21 miles at one point)
• Cross Train on Sunday
• An easy, timed run on Monday
• Hill or Speed Work on Tuesday
• An easy, timed run on Wednesday
• A timed Tempo Run on Thursday
• Have a beer on Friday, because you've earned it!

In my opinion, that's a fairly aggressive plan, but it works well for me. I normally cross train on Sundays, and I ALWAYS take Friday off. I'm not sure that I'll launch into five days a week of running this week, but I may shoot for four, and slowly build to five. We'll see. Here's the details of today's run:

Start time: 6:30AM
Weather: About 80 degrees, mostly cloudy, humid
Distance: 8 mile "Heights Run"; except for the part in the ghetto, this is a nice run
Timing:

• Ran to four miles in 39:49
• Walked for 3:23 (see narrative below)
• Ran (and walked a bit) back to the start in 41:55
• Total Time: 1:25:08
• Average Pace: 10:39 per mile
• Equipment: My new Mizuno shoes, my new Nike running socks, wicking running shirt and shorts (though the fabric can't keep up with Houston humidity!), a Fuel Belt (it held three six ounce bottles of Accelerade sports drink), and a hand towel to wipe sweat with. As hot as it was, maybe next week I'll just go with the hand towel and Fuel Belt!
• Next Week's Energy Drink: http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1761896 (funny stuff, but maybe not the best vid to watch at work)

Narrative Description: Having not ran this distance in about two months, I was a bit worried come this morning. My new shoes and socks were also a worry (I fear change!). With doubt in mind, but with a fairly agreeable body for 6:30AM, I took off with the Yellow Group (9-10 minute mile target time) and headed for the Heights. The Yellow Group traditionally has a lead pack, and a trailing pack; not sure why, but such is life in Yellow and today was no different. I was on the backside of the lead pack, so I decided to walk after the turnaround so I could see who all was in the group; probably about 50 people, with several familiar faces, and some I figure I'll get to know. After running with Larry on the way to mile four, I ran with Christie for a bit on the way back, and kind of "dueled" with Keif a little (I thought he was named "Keith" for the longest time, so I kept a weary eye on him ... Keith's don't trust each other because we know that we all have ... never mind, secret stuff). I felt pretty good on the way to four, but the heat combined with the fact that I was alone for most of the way back took a toll on me; I slowed pimped it. I was content though, as the goal of the day was to acclimate to the heat and get "mentally ready" for 15 mile runs in 85 degree heat!

As for the saga of my new shoes, they are growing on me. The new socks helped to make room for my toes, and though they blistered the top of my right foot, I OK with that; it happens in new shoes. Tomorrow, if I hurt less than I should, I think I'll be sold.

Around noon I spilled out in my bed to watch some TV. Suddenly, I was trying to find my apartment or room or something like that. I couldn't find it. The floor (which I think was in a tall building, in Virginia) was ringed with small cubicle apartments, tons of books in an inner area, and a convenience store. As I walked near the store, a really tall guy walked by with a six pack of Bud Light held high over his head, and I noticed there was a Sponge Bob Wife Beater for sale on the wall. I ran into Leon and James, and they proclaimed that they had the best apartments in the building; right next to the store. In real life my cell phone then rang, so I woke up; the dream was over. I don't remember getting drowsy, but obviously I slipped into sleep, and must have done so very quickly! It was a strange dream in that a) the content was screwy, b) I remember it, and c) it was one of those dreams where I was in total control. Stranger still, I think I might know what some of it meant (after 30 years of dreaming, I'm starting to figure those things out). Maybe I'm over analyzing though, maybe this is how you dream after 8 miles in June in 80 degree weather!