Happy Sunday!!!
I raced today but I did choose to do intervals. So, it’s not a 100% walking effort. In fact, my heat map for pacing looks like a dotted line because of my fairly consistent run/walk/run approach. I didn’t use a timer either. In the early stages, I went by feel but after the halfway point, I started using street signs which had a consistent pattern. Still, my walking played a tremendous role in today’s results. The last time I really got into interval running I wasn’t pushing hard enough in my walking intervals. All of this focus on walking and walking those races last month has given me the frame of reference to know when my walk is too casual. There were very few instances where my walking pace fell below 13:45. There were quite a few times where walking dipped as low as 12:50-12:55.
I will spare you the run details as that’s not the point of this thread but I will say that I not only met but far exceeded my goals. If I can stick with this method of training and keep mainly to walking, I think I can achieve some things I never thought possible. After today, I think I want to wait for cooler weather. I also think a race with a view is good and all but it’s not everything.
- It was upper 70s and nearly 100% humidity today. I really felt the heat after a while and I know it slowed me down. We had a strong sea breeze which helped in that regard but also added to resistance, which is another slowing factor.
- The view was great but I never considered the smell of low tide. By mile 10, it was turning my stomach, which also slowed me down.
- The timing for today was a good test for some things with Disney. While the race started at 7, Galveston is quite a bit of a drive. I was up before 3:30 and out the door a little after 4am. That’s comparable to RunDisney timing. Plus, the tiaras and tutus were very Princess.
- Like most races, I met a number of great people. Those memories will stick with me just as much as the race itself.
- I currently feel like I smoked a full pod cigarettes (I quit nearly 19 years ago). The race went right along Galveston’s Seawall Blvd and we ran/walked right next to traffic. Who knows how much exhaust/fumes I inhaled.
- Bittersweet, but the start/finish was right next to this big historic hotel that is tied to extremes with memories. I had a phenomenal weekend rehearsal every here during my symphony years. I loved it so much I wanted to get married there. DH and I both fell in love with the venue but it took them weeks to get back to me to secure the deposit. I couldn’t trust them with my money or plans after that… so it remains the beautiful place that never happened.
