My 21 Miler..21 Closer To Boston

OK. Is the Sun on strike? It is amazing, as I sit in my favorite chair, how the picture remains the same. Today it is very gray and rainy. But, it is in the mid 40's. This might feel good to run in. I actually really enjoy running in the rain. Almost feels balmy. Put on those rose colored glasses.

Yesterday was a 21 miler for me. I headed east towards Lake Michigan, passing Wrigley Field along the way. Once on the lakefront path I headed south. There was a flurry of activity on the path this morning. Many of my running friends were there again. You know, the friends I really don't know. I only know their faces; the faces of commitment and determination. There were various running/training groups. People are getting ready for races. Perhaps Boston. I know I saw several, if not many Boston runners. It's getting exciting out here.

I know one runner I passed was 100% a Boston runner. It was Jim Lentz. He was heading north and I was on mile 4 heading south. We said hello as we passed. I continued on passing the Drake Hotel and other Chicago landmarks. I meandered the streets, under bridges, up and down and all around. I ran south until the Shedd Aquarium. This was about 11 miles into the run. I utilized a few hills along the way as well.

My goal for this run was for a negative split. I achieved that. The first half I tried to stay close to 8:40 pace and the second half under 8:20. You can see the results below. All in all it was a great run. I went a little farther than I wanted so when I hit 20 miles I stopped my Garmin. I knew I had about 1 mile left to get home and I ran a very slow cool down mile. I was tired, of course. But, today I feel great with no soreness. I find it amazing and am so grateful that I can run this far without feeling sore the next day. What a gift.

Yesterday, I also joined USA Triathlon and signed up for my first trathlon event. It is: www.ironmanracine.com

Now I may get dressed and run 8-10 miles in the rain.

Split Time Distance Elevation Gain Elevation Loss Avg Speed Max Speed Avg HR Max HR Steps Calories
1 0:09:26 1 33 69 9:26 7:38 113 125 0 82
2 0:08:39 1 33 62 8:39 7:11 124 133 0 88
3 0:08:39 1 59 49 8:39 7:10 125 130 0 82
4 0:08:41 1 184 115 8:41 5:05 128 134 0 87
5 0:08:40 1 13 112 8:40 7:34 130 136 0 86
6 0:08:38 1 33 30 8:38 7:48 131 134 0 84
7 0:08:41 1 10 16 8:41 8:19 130 134 0 80
8 0:08:40 1 20 20 8:40 8:07 130 135 0 76
9 0:08:40 1 66 59 8:40 7:14 134 138 0 84
10 0:08:38 1 52 39 8:38 4:46 135 141 0 82
11 0:08:32 1 20 33 8:32 5:38 133 136 0 74
12 0:08:34 1 62 16 8:34 6:53 136 141 0 79
13 0:08:41 1 121 49 8:41 2:12 137 140 0 85
14 0:08:04 1 121 167 8:04 3:18 137 141 0 72
15 0:08:17 1 10 52 8:17 4:05 141 143 0 86
16 0:08:21 1 26 13 8:22 7:21 143 148 0 90
17 0:07:49 1 13 39 7:49 7:12 149 153 0 91
18 0:08:40 1 66 43 8:40 5:55 147 153 0 96
19 0:08:12 1 39 59 8:12 7:04 146 151 0 78
20 0:07:59 1 72 46 7:59 6:06 149 154 0 88
21 0:00:06 0.01 -- 0 8:43 7:25 153 153 0 1
Summary 2:50:46 20.01 1,053 1,093 8:32 2:12 134 154 0 1,671




Edited by Silentrunner 1/24/2010 7:04 AM

-----
" Beyond the very extreme of fatigue and distress, we may find amounts of ease and power we never dreamed ourselves to own, sources of strength never taxed at all because we never push through the obstruction."