Excited much?

Okay... I spent too much time reading all about running and getting good fast times this weekend. By the time today rolled around I was so excited to get out there and do better than I've been doing. Where exactly did that get me? Well tonight, it had me frustrated and nearly kicking something close nearby. I really did "too much, too soon" even though I've been out there for a couple weeks now (and walking 3-4 miles 3 times a week ALL summer). So here are tonights stats:

Total Mileage: 4.5 miles -- 50 minutes
Starting Temperature: 98 degrees and the humidity has to be close to 100% ha ha
Start Time: 6:24pm
1st mile completed at 6:34pm (10 minutes)
2nd mile completed at 6:47pm (13 minutes)
3rd mile completed at 7:00pm (13 minutes)
4th mile completed at 7:14pm (14 minutes)
Ending Temperature: 96 degrees

As you can see here, I slowly went up in my pace. I went out wayyy to hard in the first mile, as my normal mile is usually 12 minutes. I really think this is what ruined the rest of the run for me. So, I ran the entire first mile (way to fast). I ran about half of the 2nd mile, but already knew at this point the rest of this run was not going to be good. I was already thinking it was a bad idea to have brought my watch. Every time I've come out I've run the first two miles without any trouble, but it hasn't been this hot and humid for awhile either. The 3rd mile was just pathetic but I made myself at least power walk so I wouldn't drop my heart rate too much. This is the point where I got really mad at myself because I've been running at least 3 of these miles any other night I come out here. The 4th mile.. I walked most of. There were a couple sporadic bursts of "slogging" but when I saw my ending mile marker, I sprinted as hard as I could. I'm glad I did or that last mile probably would have been 16 minutes.

There is positive in this. I walked A LOT tonight and it was still under an hour. What that means is when I drop the watch and keep my mind focused on moving my feet and not about my speed, i'll probably do pretty good..and 50 minutes for 4 miles isn't great.. but it sure isn't terrible! :)