Early Morning 9-Miler

I've noticed the past few days, a lot of people have been commenting on the morning weather, either on Twitter, on Facebook, on blogs, and elsewhere. I don't blame them, I'm about to do the same thing, because of this amazing California weather.

This is the time of year when the weather doesn't seem to want to stay the same. It can't figure out whether to be spring or remain winter. This morning for example, it was 48 degrees when I ran at 4am, and by afternoon, there were 20mph winds.

But really, 48 degrees at 4am? Sure, I could see my breath, but this is the same temperature it was two weeks ago at 8am, when I ran the Bidwell Half. It's gorgeous morning climate, but I have to wonder, does this mean the summer's going to be hotter than last year?

I mentioned 4am. Today was a scheduled 9 mile run, which is much farther than I can fit into lunch. As with the 8 mile run I did two weeks ago, I decided to do it in the morning. Unquestionably, it was the right decision, it was perfect running weather. Of course, I wore my Brooks reflective yellow running vest, my headlamp, and my flashing red light from Fleet Feet.

It was going great, and when I got to the end of the E Street Bridge, I decided to run over the levee and into Riverfront Park rather than run on the levee. By doing this, I had a steeper hill to run over, but I wouldn't have to walk over the railroad tracks.

I turned around at 4.5 miles, walked for a bit while I drank water, listening to the Mike O'Meara Show podcast. I think I've mentioned this before, but by listening to podcasts and music, i develop strong memories of particular runs based on the content of what I'm listening to. I'm sure this will be no different months from now.

As I ran along the final sidewalk portion of Arboga Rd., I couldn't help but think of how much water there was the last time I ran early in the morning. In fact, that was the run I stepped right into a big puddle and ran with a soaked foot the last two miles.

As I approached the dreaded Furneaux Rd., I was looking down at the road and thought gee, my foot's not going to land properly. No sooner had that thought crossed my mind that my foot landed on the edge of the asphalt, and BAM, down I went.

When you think about it, it's a wonder I haven't fallen since long before last year's California International Marathon. That was in December, but my ankle twist and subsequent fall was in August! Six months without a fall, for me, is a fabulous record.

Anyway, I landed on the corner of my left hand/wrist, then rolled onto my right side and right arm.



As I got up, I was momentarily afraid that I wouldn't be able to go on. That was brief, and after walking it out for about a quarter mile, I was fine for the rest of the way home.


See the activity on RunSaturday

Type:	Run - General
Duration:	2:34:00
Distance:	9.00 mi

Splits
Mile 1: 9:44
Mile 2: 9:39
Mile 3: 9:47
Mile 4: 10:30
Mile 5: 11:53
Mile 6: 10:32
Mile 7: 9:44
Mile 8: 12:28
Mile 9: 9:37

9 miles, 1:34, 10:26/mi average, 949 calories burned

This Saturday is the Bok Kai Festival in Marysville, and along with it comes a 5k. It should be fun, I'm going to register on Saturday morning, run the race, then watch the kids in the parade afterwards. I haven't run a 5k since Frost or Fog, hopefully I'll do well!