Running: 01/01/2011

My first run of 2011 was in the rain.  It was a cool, wet, windy day but I was determined to get in a run on New Year's Day.  I wanted to start the year off right.  Also, I had just received my Garmin Forerunner 305 from the FedEx man the day prior and I was itching to use it. 

The day started off with pouring rain and I was afraid I wouldn't be able to run at all.  Not that I'm afraid of a little rain, but this was a deluge.  We're talking cats and dogs here.  I checked the weather channel hourly forecast and learned that we were due for a break in the rain early afternoonish.  I watched the radar and as soon as it looked like the worst of the rain had passed, I put on my running gear, including my new Garmin watch, stretched, noticed it was pouring again, stretched a little longer to give the rain time to let up, and headed out.  When I arrived at the park, it was raining again but I was dressed and ready to go, so off I went. 

A guy in a pickup truck drove by and rolled down his window to tell me the park was closed.  I informed him that I was running and got a really strange look.  There's apparently not a big exercise movement among the natives.  I shortened my warm up walk a little because walking in the rain was just unbearable.  I set the watch for 2.9 miles in 33 minutes, hit the start button and took off running.  One of my favorite features on the watch so far is the virtual partner.  It's like having a little electronic person to race with every time I go for a run.  Being in a race with an electronic person may not seem like much motivation, but I grew up playing video games and competing against computer generated competition.  During my childhood, I learned to loathe those little electronic guys, and this guy was no different.  I started out trying to string him along, trying to make him think (yes, I'm that warped) that he could beat me, then I left him in my dust.  Until....mile 3 began.  I had really pushed myself the first two miles and averaged 10.59/mile for each.  I felt my body protesting and I had to slow the pace significantly.  I ran the final .9 mile at a much slower pace than I did the first two miles, but still managed to kick electronic man's butt by a full 47 seconds. 

I really pushed myself to keep running at several points in the run and was thoroughly winded when the watch beeped telling me I had completed my planned course. 

Today's Stats:  I did 2.9 miles in 32:13 for an average pace of 11:06/mile.  That's my second fastest pace ever.  It's only overshadowed by my run on 12/23 in which I only ran 2.35 miles. 

Next Up:  Monday morning run.  I'm hoping to add a little distance and time to my run.  I'm planning on pushing the time up to 36 minutes, and see how far that takes me.