Friday, September 16, 2011

Great 8: 9/11

Sunday, I had my best run by far since July.  I am down to taking an inhaler once before bed and that is it.  I ran the greenway past the I-440 footbridge and into the NCMOA art park for the first time in a long time.  More importantly, I followed the greenway past the museum and headed out towards Umstead for the first time.  Eventually, this out and back course will extend all the way into Umstead when I reach 10 to 12 mile long runs, and I'll no longer need to drive to the park on Saturday mornings.  Being able to run this course was unimaginable to me a few months ago, but now it is just around the corner and I am pretty excited about it. 

As for returning to the Art Park, I was really dreading the hills of the greenway as it went through the art park, but once I began running them they were nowhere near as bad as I thought they would be.  The hills that I encounter in Umstead have relegated the hills of the Art Park Green was to to a state of manageability even when they come up at the six and seven mile mark.  I did begin to struggle on this run at the start of mile 8, but right then It's a Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock N' Roll) by AC/DC came on my I-pod and powered me through most of the last mile.  Thank yon Bon Scott! 

Since my long runs have begun to cross over the 1 hour threshold I have begun to take GU at the 45 minute mark, just is I will for the Half Marathon.  I am trying to find a flavor that appeals to me and have tried Mandarin Orange and Lemon Sublime, which were serviceable at best.  The Gu wasn't too bad but the sticky pasty feeling in and around my mouth after fueling will need to be delta with better.  Urgh!

8 miles in 1:27:08 for 10:53 pace.

1 11:14
2 10:25
3 11:10
4 10:29
5 10:25
6 10:59
7 11:44
8 10:37

Oh . . . and since Hockey season is only a few weeks away here is a video of my favorite player the Great 8

4 comments:

  1. Well done! I love those confidence boosting runs that come exactly when you need them! Keep up the good work buddy!

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  2. P.S. Just noticed you've got your eye on Miami in 2012... I was totally going to do that one too! Not anymore, stupid injury, but dang! We could've met!!!

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  3. That would have been nice! I would love to meet you and Spike. And to have the whole "Spike Cheering Experience" during my first Marathon . . . Priceless! When you are healed, we'll have to coordinate race plans!

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  4. I thought hockey just ended?!?! We don't have a tv though so don't listen to me...

    GREAT job!!! So glad you are feeling back almost to normal.

    I prefer Hammer gels, more "natural" and seem easier on the tummy...for me anywho. Tropical, Montana Huckleberry, and Orange are some of my go-to's...although Orange kind of reminds me of an orange tootsie pop?

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