Twelves

I went down to Valley Green earlier today than usual for a weekday. I arrived there at about 5:00 p.m. At the beginning of my run, the sky was cloudy; at the end it was completely overcast. The temperature was in the high 60s or low 70s, and the humidity was low.

My aim today was to have a good first mile. As I’ve mentioned before on this blog, I tend to find the first mile to be rather unpleasant. The first quarter-mile usually is fine, but the next half to three-quarters can be challenging. I’m still not sure why I experience this.

This evening, I decided to focus on running the first mile slowly. The key to doing this isn’t simply starting at a slow pace; rather, it’s necessary to maintain that pace. I focused, then, on limiting myself to a slow trot through the first mile.

I ran the first two miles at a 12-minute mile pace. I don’t think, in fact, that I’ve run so slowly for so long.  I’m relieved, though, that I was able to do it.  As the summer heat and humidity rolls in, I know I’ll have to slow down just to get in my miles. That’s find with me. Right now my priority is distance and endurance. I’ll save speed for another time.