training day number sixty-nine

this post is for october 9th.

i'm at the beach. wrightsville beach. it was a cool run because i ran from one end of this island to the other. i started midway, ran to the north end, ran to the south end, then back to the middle. it is a flat course similar to the big race. it helped me feel ready for the big day.

it was a cold start. it was misty and windy and still dark. i did not know what i would find along the way. i should have warmed up a bit more as i found out later. as i reached the main drag intersection, there were a number of other runners there starting or ending a run on a trail that goes off the island into wilmington. it is an ego thing when another runner passes you. i guess i was expecting a solo run at this early hour. i had to make myself stay at my pace and watch my step for injury prevention.

around the end of mile one, i got shin splints. the painful tightness is no joke but i kept running until i wondered if i should turn back. a block or so ahead of me an oil truck was backing out and blocked my way forcing me to stop. this allowed me to catch my breath and massage my shins. the deep breathing gets oxygen to the muscles and it helped big time. who knew that an oil truck was just what i needed. so i headed on down the road with the pain passing.

the sunrise was mystical with low clouds and fog. all the runners in town had filtered out by this time. it seemed i was there in this special place all on my own. it was beautiful and helped to keep me rolling on to the end. once i got to the end i needed a bio break and there was perfect cover in the back of shell island resort. this gave me a chance to see the ocean with the fog over the waves with the filtered sunlight. it was only a quick look because i had to run to other end of the island.

this island has a lot of homes built and has no more room for additional ones. i could sense the entitlement as i ran by the political signs posted. i could see i was the only chocolate chip in this cookie. even with that, the other runners i encountered were very nice and said "good morning" or "good job" the official runner greeting.

once i was done, i jumped in the cool rain shower at our hotel. but then got back in bed as this was check out day and i needed to warm up from my cold run before checking out.

run: 

duration: 1:29:46  
distance: 8.26 mi (goal 7 miles) 
pace: 10:52 min/mi 
calories: 1222  


garmin link: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/232309136

weight: 177 lbs

days to go until race day: 34