Uphill Both Ways

Today was training day. I joined my running friend Carmen for the Summer Virtual Run sponsored by Toni and her Running, Loving, Living blog. I didn’t grasp the concept when I agreed to do the virtual run, but it’s pretty simple. You sign up to run a 5K or 10K, and in essence compete against others who run and submit their entries. The competition as I understand it isn’t a matter of time vs. time, but you rack multiple entries, or chances, for prizes that will be given away in a random drawing of entrants.

Chasing shadows...

So, anyhoo… Carmen and I agreed it would be fun to bike out to her country running spot northeast of town. I see from her blog that she went farther than I did, but she’s a tougher, more experienced runner than I am, so she gets no sympathy from me on this one. I must admit, though, I expected a route closer to town. Even so, it was a beautiful ride out country roads among the cornfields and pastures of Knox County. I realize I should venture forth more often, just to take in the countryside.

The ride out and back totaled about 12 miles (trusting Carmen’s calculations of 6.3 miles out and 5.85 miles back, along a slightly different route). Add 6.2 miles of running the rolling hills of Knox County farmland and that was a pretty grueling workout for a guy like me. I continue to claim I am not a runner. Call it a defense mechanism: should I actually identify as a runner, somebody might expect more of me.

I called this training day because, while I’ve run this distance before – and longer just last week – I wanted to do a solid 10K checkup run before this weekend’s DickBlick Art Materials Railroad Days Run. I’ve done the 5K the past two years. I’ve done a few other 5K races and ran the Bix 7 last summer, so I know I can do the distance. Still, I’ve not done a 10K race. As I’ve said before, I’m not in it to win it. I run with the sole goal of finishing alive. I always strive to achieve my best time (which I did at my last 5K), but otherwise I set no goals. But, would it be exciting to place in my age division? Hells yeah! I placed first in my division in my first ever 5K two years ago. Granted I was the only one in my division, but still. I thought it was respectable.

So, too, was today’s 10K time, I thought. Carmen said she clocked herself at 58:24 and guessed that I arrived 10 seconds later. Now, understand, I slowed her down. She doubled back a couple of times when I slowed to a walk and urged me to get back to running pace. I walked on four occasions, I think. All after cresting a hill. How is it the hills were always going up, never down? OK, there were downhill jaunts now and again, but they always seemed less than the corresponding uphills. I don’t get that. I thought that was strictly a humorous ploy of our grandparents to make us feel inadequate and whiny. 

Carmen in the distance. We paced closely
most of the time, but I lagged at times.

Well, whiny fit me today. I was exhausted by those hills. But the warmth of the sun, the smell of the corn and the barking of farm dogs was great. I finished at a run and managed to bike back into town. My time, just a little behind Carmen’s, was within my pace expectations, so I was not displeased. And as Carmen pointed out, the hills are different from the flats in town. The race Saturday should be better.

Today's Stats

Temp: 80 degrees F

Distance: 6.2 miles

Treasure: Nothing, I was totally focused on running today.

iPod Playlist (shuffle)

One Lonely Night – REO Speedwagon

Distance – Ryan McCullough

Two of a Kind, Workin’ on a Full House – Garth Brooks

Don’t Panic – Coldplay

Everything is Comin’ Down – Bo Ramsey

Arizona Skies – Los Lobos

(There’ll Be) Peace in the Valley – Johnny Cash

Hymn 43 – Jethro Tull

The Night is Still Young – Billy Joel

Careless Whisper – Wham!

Tell Me What You See – The Beatles

I’ve Had Enough – Lyle Lovett

Virgin State of Mind – K’s Choice

Over the Hills andFar Away – Led Zeppelin

Levelland – James McMurtry

Baby Come on Home – Led Zeppelin

Alright Guy – Todd Snider