Sunday, January 10, 2010

Chapped Ass

I don't wear tights. Not really a fashion thing. Not really a macho thing. Its really about the big nasty holes tights rub in places I really really don't want big nasty holes rubbed. SO, as I contemplated running 20 miles on Saturday with starting temperatures around 14 degrees maybe warming up to 22 I was tempted. But not tempted enough to put on the tights. I wore slightly longer shorts than normal, a heavier than normal technical tee shirt, arm warmers and my lightweight jacket. Gloves and hat of course and the biggest shocker, socks! I didn't feel cold as we got started and after 2 miles I was clicking along at a 7:15 pace trying to reel in the lead group that had gotten a jump on me at the start. At 8 miles, most of the group turned back and it was Jim and I left to finish out the run. Jim wanted to run 22 and I only needed 20. I felt that I could cut off 2 miles later in the run so I stuck with Jim. Turned out to be a mistake. We never slowed beyond a 7:30 pace and at about 16 miles I began to struggle a bit. It was beginning to feel like Cali so I let Jim go and started to make my way back to Rogue by the shortest route possible. I came to Cindy's water stop at 18 miles and had to get in her car to warm up. I fully expected to catch a ride back with the next coach to come along BUT Domingo the Chihuahua jumped in my lap, snuggled with me and licked my neck and chin until I was warm! About then, Jimmy came to the water stop and asked if I was OK. I said I thought I could jog back in if he would stick with me. He agreed and we jogged back to Rogue. I was close to collapsing when we got there but after chugging my protein drink, drinking a large Progress coffee and eating a large fruit cup with yogurt and granola I was starting to recover. When I was finally up to leaving, I had to hustle. I had 2 showings, a listing sign to set and 2 other errands to run. When I finally got home I realized that my ass was really tender. Apparently it had been completely numb after the run and I didn't notice the chaffing until that afternoon. Wow is THAT uncomfortable. Final result was 20.2 miles in 2:36:37 for a 7:45 overall pace. I must have slowed to 9 or 10 minute pace to whipe out 18 miles of steady sub 7:30s.