39:53/40 mins (4 miles?)

Three weeks ago I ran with a Thursday night run group. I lamented at the time that there wasn't really anyone else of my pace to run with, and that I had thrashed myself to bits trying to keep up. I did have fun, though: some good conversation with folks in the early stages, and it was satisfying to do the run even if it was too much really.

Well, I thought I'd try that group again - met up at the nominated running store, and waited for someone of approximately my pace to turn up. No luck; none at all. Everyone seemed to be eight minute mile runners, long and lean.

The group were going to go up towards Forest Park, taking an interesting route which I hadn't done before so I thought I'd tag along despite my misgivings.

Well, I think I managed to stick with them for about half a mile and with very little conversation since I could not speak. At that point I felt like I needed to drop back because I was starting to thrash a bit and so I slowed down and stuck to a pace which didn't trigger flashing lights on my HRM, then watched as these gazelle-like beings bounded off into the distance.

I have enough problems with body image without this kind of thing happening.

Still, dispiriting as this was, I followed the dictates of my heart rate pretty closely and kept my pulse below the nominal 90% mark. I got to the end feeling like I'd barely exercised, which is either a sign that the nominal 90% is too low, or that it's just right and that I'm well set for the 25K on Saturday.

I very much doubt I'll meet up with this Thursday group again, though, unless I can be more assured of a ten minute miler to run with. And getting out of northwest Portland afterwards was a pig, too.

Posted by Dunx at July 15, 2004 09:07 PM