March 1, 2007
After working a double shift Tuesday I really hoped to be able to leave work by about 2 p.m. Wednesday and take advantage of a 60+ degree day for an 8 mile run outdoors. But 2 came and went, then 3, then 4. Finally, shortly after 5, I made my escape. I'd still have time to get home and get most of my run in before dark.
I don't know what was going on, but it was stop and go almost all the way home. I finally started out 11 minutes before sunset. It was nice out, though, and while there were some beautiful anvil clouds out to the southwest, it didn't look like there'd be any weather to contend with for several hours.
Because of my work schedule, I hadn't run since my 3-miler on Sunday. My legs were fresh, and I felt really good even on the early hills. My 3 warmup miles were in the 9:20 range, and I formulated a plan to run the middle three miles at about a 9 minute pace, then cut back again to 9:30 or so.
Around mile 4, though, I noticed lightning in the clouds just south of my part of town, and it was swining my way. I thought about turning home, but decided I'd try to make it before the storm hit. Rain wasn't much concern, but the lightning bothered me. It was going to be 5 miles at better than 9 min. pace.
As it turns out, I ran between 8 and 8:30 for the last five miles, finishing with an overall average of 8:52. As an added bonus, I finished about 45 minutes ahead of the storm, so it all ended well.