Running Too Fast

I’m pretty sure not running last week started to make me a little nutty. I got anxious, impatient, and short-tempered as the week wore on and as the number of days I had not run grew higher. It is a little unbelievable that in 4 months I could already be addicted to running; addicted to chocolate? believable; gin and tonics? probably one day; running? I would have said “not on your life” before, but look at me now, missing it when I don’t do it.

We finally ran on Friday evening after several days of no running. The heat wave we’re having and the 80% humidity at 9pm scared us off the other days. I guess we aren’t that tough. It’s no better in the mornings. Sure the temperature is a couple of degrees cooler, but humidity is 100% at 6am these days. Honestly, I’d rather sleep.

photo courtesy of pixabay

The run on Friday wasn’t great, but it wasn’t our worst either. The first 18-minute interval went by without much distress. I felt pretty good, actually; only checking the time near the end so that I didn’t run over into the walking break. We were actually running at a pretty quick pace. Normally I set the speed of our runs, but my husband was hauling ass and so it was catch-up or wave “see you later.”

The second interval got tougher.  I think this is due in part to the intensity of the weather that made me feel like I was a mobile heater and the fact that we might have started running too fast as a result of my Hubs setting the pace, which I do normally.

We found a little breeze to enjoy while running and soaked it up for all it was worth. Instead of a 3-minute break before the last interval, however, we took a 5-minute one. I don’t like doing this, but I’m willing to cut myself a break since the weather just plain sucks. The third interval started fine, but I quickly grew tired, and I was moving a little slow. About 5 or 6 minutes into the interval, though, my husband informed me that he had had enough, he couldn’t control his breathing and he was pooped.

I was a little surprised since I thought I saw him literally dancing/running during the first 2 intervals. He was doing his best John Travolta circa Saturday Night Fever impression. I told him I’d go on and try to complete the final interval and I’d meet him over at the park cafe where we’ve been buying water post-run. I don’t quit lightly so I am really happy I dragged myself through the final interval even though I felt like I was really slow and spent, but I just put my head down and kept going.

photo courtesy of pixabay

When I collapsed onto the nearest bench after the time finished, my hubby told me that he was in love with the music he was listening to while running, but the beat was a little fast and caused him to run a little faster than normal, which explains that quick pace in the first interval. He couldn’t hold himself back from dancing and the faster beat pushed him to run quickly. And me, right along with him.

photo courtesy of pixabay

A valuable lesson was learned from this run: I should set the pace. I’m not a control freak by any means. In fact my husband and I occasionally frustrate each other by demurring to the other’s opinion or preference. We’re way too democratic/equal opportunity/consensus-oriented sometimes, but I think I should insist on it. Neither of us do particularly well when we start too fast, and it makes the end of the run a bigger challenge than normal.

We don’t have a fancy Garmin or anything yet. I just have an app on my phone that tracks speed and distance. And it is a little too complicated trying to swipe through the menu to get to the pace while running so how we’ve done on a run is always a little bit of a surprise when we look at the end. I basically understand how we’re doing according to how much time is left and where we are in the park.

photo courtesy of pixabay

So, is it worth buying a Garmin or something similar? I don’t know. What do you use to keep track while running?