The Calm Before the Storm

I am in the final stretch.  It's May and I am running a marathon at the end of this month. Wow.  I can't believe how far I've come since January, when the thought of running a mile seemed an impossibility. Yesterday, we had a "recovery" run which had originally been scheduled to be 9 miles, but which our coach decided would only be 8. I was finished by 9:30. It was a "short" run.

Our team trained at Griffith Park, which was a good change of scenery from Balboa Park. The disadvantage was that we didn't use a clear circular path and instead, we were given maps of the route.  Unclear on the map, however, was that the road split.  Of course, it was at that split where I realized that I had become separated from the rest of my pack.  I chose a path, hoping I was still on our intended route, and within a few minutes, realized that I luckily chose correctly; one of our team's fastest runners had already reached the turn-around point, and passed me on his way back to the starting point. 

I ran at a 4 minute run, 2 minute walk pace for most of my 8 miles, with the exception of my first 6 minute segment, which I walked (as my warmup).  Speaking of warmup, I haven't been able to wrap my head around the concept of running to warm up.  Before our group stretches, we always have a 10 minute warmup, during which most of our team runs, but during which I walk. I can't seem to run or jog as a warmup. I tried to jog during my first two team practices. It felt like a huge effort and, instead of warming my body, it left me feeling tight, sore and exhausted. Walking always warms my body and assists with the more strenuous activity that follows our stretching.  

 Tomorrow morning will be my 60 minute recovery run and I am looking forward to it. It will be a long and tiring day, so I'm glad to have the excuse to start the day on the right foot (yes, pun intended).