July 24th - Another Breakthrough in Running - A Continuous Glide

Julienne asked if I wanted to go on a run this morning.  I wasn't planning on it, but said yes.  We started out slowly running up Rimrock Road for about 7/10ths of a mile. Then we turned left on the freshly tarred and graveled Dodd Road and ran a flat mile. I was running freely and strongly. I looked at Bryan's new home being constructed on the left and Jared's new shed. They are quality construction. I still felt strong when I reached the corner of Dodd and Strahorn which is 1.7 miles into the run. I knew that I was putting considerable distance between myself and Julienne. As I rounded the corner and the grade became a little bit uphill that didn't phase me at all, nor when I passed the yellow egg shack that is the 2 mile mark. I didn't feel my normal desire to stop and rest and then plod along. I felt like I was smoothly gliding along. When I rounded the corner of Strahorn and Lancaster I expected the heavy legs to began slowing me down, or the labored breathing, or the urgent desire to stop, or the looking forward to some convenient landmark at which to stop. Last time I ran this loop with Julienne I was probably an equal distance ahead of her by this point, but stopped and she caught up and passed me. I ran down the mile of Lancaster neither noticing Forest Ridge or Deer Park on my right which are usual landmarks I hope to reach without stopping. I didn't even consider stopping at the mail box to get the paper. I didn't want anything to interrupt my continuous glide. When I rounded the final corner from Lancaster back onto Rimrock again for the last 4/10 of a mile uphill grade it wasn't laborious. Yes I was sweating and working out, but simply running free and strong. I can't remember when I last ran that way, but it had to be more than a decade ago, maybe when I was 49.

I didn't even have to start counting breaths until the last 50 yards or so as I was almost to our driveway, so therefore I knew that I ran strong the whole way and didn't need the help that counting my breathes gives me until the very end. (When I am about as fatigued as I can get I count each breath as I know I can always go a hundred more. This also helps me measure a hill or difficult part of a run or bike. For example the steep section on the CDA Tri bike course on Bonnell hill is only 100 breaths. In other words by the time I breathe 100x I will be a the top.)

I didn't time my run, but did clock how much faster I was than Julienne. She finished 3 minutes and 35 seconds later. Assuming she ran her standard 9:03 mile time then I would have been 8:09 per mile. Considering the uphills on Rimrock Road that means I could have been running sub 8 minute miles on the flat sections. I felt great. It was easier than usual and I ran continuously without stopping once to rest. It is by far a PR for that 4 mile loop, better than I have ever ran it before starting on July 4th of last year when we first moved to Hayden.  An actual joy to run it. A workout yes, but a difficult laborious one where I am hoping to end it as soon as I can - No.  I am ready to run it again. I am ready to run a 5K at the end of a triathlon and see if I can make it a continuous glide.

What I was wearing when I ran?

• The birthday Hard Mountain wicking shirt Dave & Channing Dance gave me for my 62nd birthday on March 27th. It was very tight at that time, but now feels about right. 
• The Nike shorts that David & Judy Tew helped me buy at the Nike Outlet Store last summer.
• Some cotton socks
• Some old worn Brooks training shoes that Cameron Braithwaite designs for Brooks.
• Some Nikken Magsteps that Bruce Erickson got for me.  

What didn't I take on my run?

• My iPhone. I didn't wear it on my shoulder or hold it in my hand. 

After showering I was rewarded once again. My weight 158.8 and my body fat 22.1%. Second best weight in the last decade or more and lowest body fat percentage. A great start to Pioneer Day. 

I am looking forward to my next run to see how far I can continuously glide. By-the-way last night we had 6 guests for dinner. The Mayor of Rathdrum (Vic Holmes), his director of Rathdrum Parks & Rec (Lance Bridges ) and Jeff & Julie Crandall (Day of Service Directors), Dirk & Kathy Baird (Hayden Lake Stake President). I showed them how I used to tighten my belt to the second hole and I now I could tighten it to the 5th or 6th hole. I took seconds and thirds the food was so good. I thoroughly enjoyed the evening and visiting with Vic and Lance to see how we can "work together to make something better" on the September 14th LDS day of service this year. They are good people and administering the government of Rathdrum in a thoughtful and caring manner.  I also got to bed about 11pm after cleaning up and arose about 5:55am this morning.  Just think if I had eaten less and got more sleep. I wonder what the results would have been?  But I felt great, the continuous glide is another breakthrough.  A big one.