Sunday, December 6, 2009

Hookers Couldn't Stop Me From Running

Today's Run: Road. 37 degrees. 4.1 miles; Splits: 9:15; 8:49; 8:50; 8:50; :45; 36:29; 8:53/mile average pace.

Yesterday's Run: Linear Trail. 38 degrees. 4 miles; Splits: 9:19; 8:54; 8:48; 8:28; 35:29; 8:52/mile average pace.

Friday night was Hooker night. Yup, I had some Hookers and my wife knew about it. Matter of fact, she was with me. Perhaps I should explain. My wife Kathy, my daughter Stephanie, her boyfriend, her boyfriend's mom, and I went to the Thomas Hooker Brewery. For $10 we were able to sample all the beer we wanted from 5 to 8 p.m. We even got a cool Thomas Hooker mug to keep. Fortunately, my wonderful wife volunteered to be the designated driver. I'm proud to say that two of my co-workers and I are featured for the 12-4-09 Open House photos. If you're curious, check it out here: http://www.hookerbeer.com/gallery/ Click on the Open House 12-4-09 photos, and I'm in the big one/first one. That's me on the right proudly displaying my "growler" full of their Nor'Easter Winter Lager. Needless to say, I woke up Saturday morning knowing that my run was going to be a little more challenging than normal. I chose to run on the Farmington Canal Trail, which is mainly flat, as those of you who regularly read my blog know. I dedicated my run to Lisa http://watchlisarun.blogspot.com/2009/12/baby-steps.html since she's injured and unable to run for a while. The first mile was a struggle, and even though I was alone and yelling encouraging words to myself (Yes, I really did that), I still had a 9:19 split time, which didn't surprise me. I was happy I was running and not burping beer (gross, I know!), and the 38 degree temperature actually felt good. After mile 1 I was feeling pretty good so I picked up the pace. Mile 2 was an 8:54 time, and mile 3 even better at 8:48. I was psyched that I was running my splits below 9 minutes. I decided to really push myself the last mile, and at the 3 1/2 mile point I started listening to Coldplay's "Viva La Vida," which Lisa had recommended I listen to during my NY City Marathon run. I gave it my all, and my last mile was an 8:28. So overall I had a better than expected run with negative splits with an average pace of 8:52. Unfortunately somehow, somewhere I lost one of my running gloves after I completed my run.
Today's run was 3 miles on the roads, and the last 1.1 miles on the trail. It was only 37 degrees outside and the roads and trail were wet from the dusting of snow we received last night. I hadn't gotten a lot of sound sleep because of not having power from 7:30 p.m. until 1:30 a.m. and staying up with my son (long story). Anyhow, as much as I didn't feel like running, I did. Once again I started with a slow first mile time (9:15), but was consistent once I warmed up. My last 3 miles were 8:49, 8:50, and 8:50. It really wasn't as effortless as I would have liked, but I was happy to have gotten myself outside and run. Amazing how writing a blog provides incentive to get my ass outside and run. I didn't wear my new running shoes this weekend because I didn't want to risk getting them too wet and dirty. I guess that means that I won't be wearing them too much during the winter, at least not until I officially get them dirty and wet. Have I really become a running shoes wuss?! By the way, I'm behind in reading your blogs. I promise to catch up in the next few days.

10 comments:

Unknown said...

Okay, that was a hilarious title and as I read it aloud my husband shouted, "What? Who is that?" I immediately thought you had run The Las Vegas Marathon even though you never blogged about it. So funny!

Mel-2nd Chances said...

haha, you certainly know how to capture someone's attention eh? Great running Rick!

Rookie on the Run said...

Great blog title! Ha ha! I had such funny visions in my head, involving you running past soliciting hookers!

Sounds like you had an awesome run, in spite of the great Hooker fun you had the night before. ;)

Lisa said...

Great post title lol. Thanks for dedicating your run to me. I want to run so badly but realistically I know it'll be awhile. You had a great run and one of these days I will hopefully be able to run almost as fast as you. Thanks again!

Anonymous said...

Rick,

When you want to link something highlight it and then click on an icon that looks like 2 links of a chain put together. Once you click it, it will ask you to type in the http and walla.

Anonymous said...

p.s. I love that I didn't blink twice on the hookers. Oh don't you just love good ol' Thomas Hooker. I seriously pitty all the social studies teacher in grades 5-9 in CT.

Lindsay said...

i'm glad you and your wife have such an open relationship! lol.

blogging definitely helps hold me accountable to run too. i'd have even less to say if i didn't go out and run! i'm also very particular about not getting my shoes dirty for some reason... i don't know why!

Kathy said...

Loved the Blog title!! Cracking up here at work! I thought for sure a hooker propositioned you on some trail or something...OH my !!

Aron said...

thanks for all the great comments and support :) i VERY much appreciate it!!

Lisa said...

Um, aren't running shoes made for getting dirty? that means you've been working hard and putting in the miles!

I have had my running gloves for 3 years and have grown very attached to them. I'm always paranoid that I'll lose them. I hope you found another good pair!