What a run! I started the run today with a little trepidation because I was a little sunburned and wasn't feeling 100%. When I started running I seriously questioned my ability to finish the run and was wondering if my training had hit a wall. But, about 2 miles in the wall came tumbling down and I settled in to what turned out to be a pretty good run. After I was done, I had run the 9.3 mile long 15K in 1 hour and 30 minutes and 3 seconds, a personal record. Damn that feels good!
The run today erases the morning's doubt and affirms that anything is truly possible. The 1/2 marathons are only 3.8 miles longer, and I could have run one today.
It was a really beautiful run today. I am someone who has always sat in front of a TV and stayed inside, appreciating only the creations designed specifically to entertain. But, today I was enjoying the beauty of the outdoors just as much as any movie. When I started the run, I noticed there were scattered rain clouds misting about a mile south west of where I was. About half way through the run at the most scenic part of my run, it started to mist a little. The mist felt good as I had just run a large incline to the highest elevation of the run. When I looked around, there were rainbows everywhere. Truly a great sight!
When I got home and after having a little protein, I weighed myself and was 3.5 pounds down from when I started. Like a good runner who heeds the advice of experts, I immediately filled two 32 oz. bottles of water to get my weight back to where it was before the run. I explained this too my wife and she said "are you going to weigh yourself to make sure you are at the right weight?" I told her I didn't need to because I know the 1/2 gallon of water is about 4 pounds. She asked how I knew that and I told her because of my flight training.
I never thought I would say it, but the flight training has translated to running. Weight is a critical consideration when you are going flying. Before a trip you do a weight and balance calculation to make sure you are not overloaded and the plane will fly properly. In fact, those that have been following this blog for a while since I started the flight training know that the main reason I started getting in shape was not to run a marathon, but to become a pilot. A 325 pound guy has three major problems in the cockpit. Possible medical issues with the FAA, discomfort and inability to fit in the cockpit, and most importantly a negative effect on the performance of the airplane. That is why I started getting in shape and that is still a main motivator. The flight training is in a holding pattern right now because the wallet is not as willing as the spirit right now, but that will change.
Anyways, as part of the flight training you start to learn weights of various basic items so you can quickly calculate your weight and balance. Water weighs 8 pounds a gallon, gas weighs 6 pounds a gallon, etc. So, flying has now translated to running! The wife thought that was pretty interesting and said I should blog about it.
So, today is a great day so far. 15K in 1:30:03 and I feel great. I can't wait until my first half marathon!
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Thank you for filling my quota: learning one new thing every day. Ok, I'm done for the day! Seriously, the weight of water is interesting to me. I wode how many runners know these things. Are they in runner books as well as airplane books?
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