Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Singing in the Rain...

I'll stay with yesterday's musical theme.

As mentioned, the rain was back yesterday. Nothing like last week's deluge, but wet nonetheless. I headed out for a 12 mile tempo run (2 mile warm up, 8 miles at a comfortably uncomfortable pace, 2 mile warm down) in the late afternoon. As I was heading out, the skies were spitting a little - everything was wet, but the rain was sporadic and light. No problem. Instead of throwing in the towel because it was wet outside, I put on my long pants and a long sleeve underarmour shirt and headed out the door to brave the elements.

I set out to go around the Back Bay - a loop with a short spur to my normal Saturday starting point is 12 miles. As I left the car, the rain fell with a little more purpose, but it was warm (55 degrees) so I set out. Just my luck - the further I went, the harder the rain fell. I hit the six mile point soaked, but feeling good and strong. I was clipping along at a 8:50 pace (I really do need to run a 10K sometime soon) as I headed behind the Newport Dunes Resort. And then - there it was again. The locked gate!!! How the heck can you close a trail? Foul weather? Give me a break! My mind started working. I knew there was an exit from Newport Dunes somewhere that would allow me to continue around the bay. Long story short, within a few minutes I was wandering around a storage yard in puddles up to my ankles. Yech! It was getting dark. My 8:50 pace had fallen off to 9:15. Double yech! I couldn't find the elusive exit, so threw in the towel and headed back to my car. The worst part? Squishy feet for 6 miles! Triple yech!

But, I did it. 12 miles. In the rain. Middle 8 at a 9:22 pace, average heart rate of 85% of max. Now if I can just get that wet dog smell out of my car.....

12 comments:

  1. Hi Glenn,
    Great now I have that song in my head and you know chances are it will take a long time to get it out of my head:)

    You had good intentions...sorry about your wet and soggy run! I feel for you! I have been there and know what you mean, it sucks especially if it is raining:)

    ReplyDelete
  2. The trails near my house remain closed too. It's ecological preservation to keep people and particularly mountain bikers from tearing up the trails. Plus, I suppose they justify it as a safety issue. Don't worry - we'll all dry out soon!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Crap. You're getting SO speedy! And 12? Holy cow. Remember, you have a Half Mary next week!

    ReplyDelete
  4. i know it sounds odd but i haven't had the fortune (that's right, fortune) to have such a run. We just haven't been having the right kind of weather for a good rain-soaked run. But then again, when we do, we don't have the trail closure issues that you do. It's way too flat here.

    Sorry it didn't go as planned but glad to hear you got the 12. i hope things clear up and dry up soon for you.

    ReplyDelete
  5. No raincoat? Oh wait, you probably don't have one!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Funny...no rain yesterday down/out here (I'm about 10 miles inland)...

    bummer about the trail, but still 12 miles is nothing to sneeze at!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Eew! Were they squishy, chimp feet? I laughed at the comment about you not having a raincoat. Don't they understand that they are just totally unnecessary here?

    ReplyDelete
  8. That's a great pace! I can't believe the gate was locked! Are they worried about erosion?

    Thanks for the advice on the tempo run. It sounds like I had a (very) mini version of your workout today.

    ReplyDelete
  9. At least you got the run done, I hate being soggy though! Your paces are amazing! You really are getting faster!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I would be so ticked! Glad you mad it despite the rain and locked gates. 12 miles on a wednesday... I'm impressed!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Glenn great job on the run, kudos for getting it done in the rain!

    Also thanks for you comment on the Sugoi tights, you might want to check out CW-Xs, I have found them to be excellent

    ReplyDelete
  12. you are my hero. i struggled with 8, 5 tempo this week. something is wrong with me!

    nicely done on your part though. squishy shoes... not my thing!

    ReplyDelete