The road to 13.1: Running cold

After church Sunday, I had the opportunity to go running again.  I considered it an opportunity because, up until then, I had not been permitted to run on consecutive days.  I think it’s a sign of improvement in my physical condition; if my hamstring weren’t ready for this, Dr MV probably wouldn’t let me do it.

Once I got home, I changed clothes, stretched, and went on my run.  The results were as follows:

Run #2:  3.16 miles, 35:20, 11:10.9/mile

My pace was a little bit faster than I expected it to be.  At the same time, I had absolutely no idea what my pace was on an ongoing basis.  I think it may be time for me to invest in a GPS unit to wear while I’m running.  They’re fairly spiffy little gadgets that I never thought I’d need … until I was done with that run.

*strikes up the music for “Santa Baby”*

Easter Beagle, how ’bout a little GPS?
Oh, yes!
I’ve run a lot of long miles,
Easter Beagle, hurry here to my place tonight!

Easter Beagle, I run a lot of miles in the cold,
So cold.
How ’bout some help right here,
Easter Beagle, leave a GPS here tonight! 

*stops music*

C’mon.  You know you love the Easter Beagle.

The fun began, though, when I was cooling down.  Granted, when it’s 15 degrees, it doesn’t really take long to cool down.  I took off my headband while I was cooling down.  It was off for about 3 minutes, when I decided I would slide it back on my head so that I wouldn’t have to carry it while I walked up the stairs to my apartment.  I started to put it on, but there was one small problem.  It was frozen stiff.  If I needed a reminder that I need to make smart decisions about how I dress and what I wear — and remove — during my runs, I had it.