Got down to The Runner’s Flat in Cedar Falls to pick up my pair of Hoka One One shoes. My wife and my running partner went down to The Runner’s Flat because they have a treadmill and take video of you running to determine the best shoes for how you run. Of all the shoes that the guy gave me, the Hoka One One’s (Maori for “to fly”) which were very cushioned.
This turned out to be the first day I would use them. After Monday morning’s 7 mile long-run, my training guide “The Non-Runner’s Marathon Trainer” moved into Week 4 of the 16 week cycle. So far, the guide calls for short three-mile runs at the beginning of each week. I arose at four in the morning to fit the quick run before I went to work. I was getting ready to brew some coffee for my post-run cup and breakfast when I saw the familiar flash of lightning outside our kitchen window.
Since the IMT Des Moines Marathon is in mid-October, I resolved to train in nearly any kind of weather. Iowa weather is very unpredictable. We could be running in an early snowfall. It could still be 80 degrees. But I won’t run in lightening.
I went back to bed for a while and then worked my shift at the Cedar Falls Menards. After work I went to The Runners Flat to get my Hoka One One’s. The sales associate said since I was an easy recovery run then it would be a great time to break in the shoes.
I took off from our house about 2 p.m. 83 degrees and not a cloud in the sky. I didn’t go on my usual “fast course,” a 3.2 mile neighborhood course I designed using Plot A Route. There is enough shield from the sun, which was very warm this day. Instead, I hopped over to the Cedar Prairie Trail and headed south.
At the advice of my friend Fitmess Mom, I downloaded the Nike Run Club App for my new smartphone. One of the features has Coach Chris Bennett doing a guided run. I’ve used his 5K and 10K guided runs and they are very positive and comforting. I used the 5K guided run to help power me through recent runs.
Even though I opted for the shadier route, I started to perspire about the 1/4th of a mile mark. Usually it takes about a mile before I start feeling sweat drops. From there it just kept coming. Running in the heat isn’t a pleasant experience. And since Iowa summer’s can get aggressively humid, it’s only going to get worse.
I completed my recovery run in 29:13 which works out to a 9:25 split. As you can, this was one of the sweatiest runs I’ve done so far.
Next run is slated for Friday morning. A 5 miler.
319 Iowa Runner 