Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Humid Hains Point

Grrr.

Tonight's muggy 6 miler took me, Jamie and running buddy number 2 (RB2) out to scenic Hains Point.
What I call Hains Point is really East Potomac Park (actually, I don't think I've ever heard anyone call it East Potomac Park). Hains Point is just the tip of the peninsula where the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers meet and make a stink ;p Anyway, most people enjoy Hains Point for running and bicycling since it's quiet, scenic (great views of the Jefferson and National Airport), and flat as flat can be. For the rest of us (or at least I hope there's more of you out there than me!), Hains Point can be the longest and mentally draining 3.2 miles EVER.

Hains Point and I go way back...like 2007 way back. I will always associate Hains Point with my worst/most painful training run - the run I had to wait 6 miles to pee. I mean really, how are ALL the restrooms at ALL the monuments locked? While I was thankful to finally see an open restroom on Hains Point, it seemed like it took forever to finally get to it!

Hains Point take two...Cherry Blossom Ten Miler 2009 - I've run Hains Point twice and I know exactly where things are and how much further I have to go. I think that is to my advantage. WRONG! It felt like I was running FOREEEVVVERRR. GAH!

I thought it would be different tonight, but no. I found myself struggling and wondering 'ARE WE THERE YET??' That's bad. Very bad. Hains Point makes up Miles 12-15 of this year's marathon! SO thankful it's no longer Miles 18-22! I know it's totally a mental thing and I'm determined to beat it.

Toward the end of our run, I managed to get a little more spunk in my step as I tried to focus on a faster, shorter stride. My calves were definitely feeling the burn from the forefoot striking, but I felt a lot more energized and bouncier! Like I was light on my feet! That was my nerdy form moment for the night :)

We finished at just under 10 minute pace and walked back to my office for some much needed cold water. Dinner was boring and fast - Potbelly. Yes. Sometimes you need it.

I'm off to do some foam rolling and drink some Nuun. Tomorrow's going to be an early day at work so I can meet up with Sophia for a late lunch! Yay blogger meet up :)

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

That seems like a torturous run! I don't know how you do it! I guess I need more experience running outside of a gym but I can't even imagine running 1 mile outside, let alone 6!! Treadmill/elliptical is no problem! I'll build up to it, I guess!

Mia {runs and rests} said...

Whoa, holding it for 6 miles must have been pure torture. I'm really bad at holding my pee so that would be a problem.
I'm so excited for you and Sophia's meet up. Can't wait to read about how it goes on both blogs. :D

MarathonVal said...

Those trees are GORGEOUS.

I just read about nuun yesterday - do you like it?

Have fun making your "sushi bowl" later this week! :)

Karena said...

RR - I usually love any run over 4 miles and absolutely dread the elliptical (I think I'm the only one on the planet that might hate that machine!). I'm so backwards hehe

Mia - I'll definitely report back :) We're headed to Busboys & Poets...I'm looking forward to actually taking a break for lunch at work!

Val - I can't take credit for the pictures...totally google imaged them :\ But yeah, the cherry blossoms make DC gorgeous in the spring *sigh* i could use some spring weather right now...

LOVELOVELOVE Nuun. It's great for post runs or even non-running related things. Check it here. I'd steer clear of banananuun though.

Marta said...

Hi! I'm new to your blog but I'm loving it! I'm also a runner (err... I'd like to be!) and a foodie, so it's always lovely to find blogs dedicated to my interests.
Humidity always kills me. I just can't deal with it! Thankfully I live in a VERY dry place, so even if it gets hot (and it never gets hotter than 25C), it doesn't affect you run so much. But earlier this year, I went to Spain, and I ran every morning... oh man, worst times EVER the humidity has hindering my performance!!!

We Are Not Martha said...

6 miles to pee sounds like the worst thing possible! But it looks super pretty :) :)

Sues