I just did it. No rage required. Put on my shoes, filled up the hydration bladder, pre-hydrated with 8 oz of electrolytes, and got out the door.
Focus on the daily accomplishments, right? Instead of where I’m at in the larger plan?
Right. So, 95°F and not quite 5:00 in the evening, I set out to walk 6 miles. Glad to notice it’s a bit cloudy and the sun isn’t quite so staggering. Too, there’s a teeny 7 mph breeze blowing in my face. Could be worse.
There’s a little soreness along my shins as I start, but otherwise, I’m not feeling any lingering effects from the 6.8 mile forced march of two days prior. My goal is to get my distance in without overly stressing on my pace. Absolutely no running with this distance. It’s too hot for that. Maybe after I’ve clocked a few more weeks of regular mileage I’ll get back to intervals that include short runs. (Or should I ever be out on the road before 7:00 am when it’s “cooler”, maybe low 80s. 😉)
I have to say, things went well mentally too. Normally, the misery of the heat and sun make it so I can’t stay out of my head. Most of my mental capacity goes to just keeping me moving and not turning back early. Today, I stayed more in the moment observing how I was doing and spent almost zero time on how uncomfortable it was.
And it was. Make no doubt about that. For some reason I was unconsciously pushing myself harder. I found myself charging up the hills—if a focused power walk up a hill can be called “charging.” Or leaning forward and walking at a speed near my slow running pace. Not good, given how much my legs tighten up when I’m pushing my walking speeds. I was feeling the exertion in my breathing.
That’s what would clue me in, my open-mouth breathing. A quick check of heart rate and pace and I’d realize I was going harder than I should. No records to break today. Just finish in a good enough condition to allow easy recovery.
I have to say, my recovery was easier than after the 6.8 miles 2-days earlier. No, I didn’t walk quite as far, but I did walk it faster. I did all the same stretching, flexing, and supine rotations I’d done on Thursday. However, I added a good work-over with the percussion massage gun to my shins and calves. I believe that kept away the muscle spasms which cause the foot twitching/shivering as I’m trying to fall asleep.
Overall, good workout. Good recovery.
Just what I did this day.
