5/1/06: A 6 Mile Long Run and A Special Day!

Today marks my first-year anniversary of racing…woohoo. It’s so hard to believe a year ago I would never want to road race. I was so intimidated by the thoughts of everyone being faster then me, better looking, stronger, etc…that is until I realized ANYONE can and should road race. It’s such a healthy sport…the commoderie is fantastic, the challenge is one-of-a-kind and of course, the post party is devine! I guess you can say I am fully addicted to racing, and the next few months are proof-running 10k’s in 5 different cities during the hottest months of the year. It’s going to be fun and I am very excited about every part of it-the traveling, the new friends I might make and of course--visiting some new cities and attempting new PR’s!

With that excitement, I ran a nice 6 miles at a 9:01/mile pace last night. I finally feel I am acclimating to the heat well and last night is proof of that. My breathing was good, my form was ‘better’ and my legs have never felt better. I did get some evil side stitches though…not sure where they came from, but they were NOT fun. Oh well…and btw, I will not be at the x-country tomorrow. I am NOT throwing the towel in on x-country/trail running yet. I mean, I really enjoy trail running, but it’s sooo risky for me. Would proper shoes work and help? I am seriously thinking of investing in a pair of trail shoes. Anyone have suggestions on how to pick one out? Should I stick with a Brooks shoe since that’s what I like? Hope to do a 25k trail run in Huntsville in the next year…we’ll see!

The STATS:
6 miles
54:08 mins total running

26:42 first 5k
28:03 second 5k

Heart-rate: n/a
Weather: high 70’s. humid and breezy.