NC workouts

I did the run today. In shorts and a long sleeve t-shirt. No hat. In December. Yup, it's called Charlotte, North Carolina. Temps were in the low 40s this morning, but since I like to run cold, I was very comfortable during my run today. It was a bit funny because I got a few looks from other runners who were bundled up with hats, tights and jackets.

I took yesterday off from exercise due to work and then traveling, and I expected the legs to feel fresh. They did not. They took a lot to warm up. I ran 2 easy miles and then started my 6 miles @ planned HM pace. The first one was really hard, 6:57. The second was still hard but I managed to kick the pace down to 6:45, where it needed to be. The third almost killed me, HR was 189, and I decided to take a 1min rest (3rd mile 6:39). Fourth mile felt OK, 6:30, fifth mile OK, too, 6:44, and sixth mile was once again rough, 6:42. 2X3miles, average 6:46, HR 181. I am happy with my decision to take the break. I think it is more important for me right now to develop a feel for the pace, rather than run more miles at a slightly slower pace.

I finished the run with 2 easy miles (faster than my warm up miles but much easier effort-wise).

Not sure how to feel about the run. It was hard, much harder than I expected. My legs felt tired. My breathing was labored at times. Part of the reason, I think, was that the course was all rolling, no big hills, but constant climbs. The other part is that I obviously am in no shape right now to run a sub 1:30 half. There is still time, and I'll be working on it.

In the afternoon I went to the pool with my sister in law and my niece, who at 13 is a uber swimmer and runner (ran a sub 23 5K last summer). She kept giving us workouts and drills the entire time. We had a blast. The swim was much needed since I did not swim this Saturday, and boy did I feel slow and heavy in the water.

I am having a ball here celebrating a low stress Christmas holiday with family! Hope you are having a great one, too!