Ran Out of Gas

Every once in a while, I will grab my watch and see how much faster I have gotten since the last time I had a timed run.  It has been a few months because of the heat since I have done this.  When I do run with a watch, the watch will dictate how fast I will go. 

Last night seemed like a good night to run with my watch. It was finally cooler at night.  Instead of the 80’s the temperature was in the 70’s.  I decided to go for it.  Would tonight be the night, I finally broke the 40 minute mark for my 5 mile run. 

The first mile started great.  The wind was blowing, feeling good.  I made it up the first hill in 5:10 and the first mile mark in about 7:45.  I got up the second hill and made it to the 2 mile mark in 16:10.  I thought I may have gone out too fast, but I still felt great.  At the 20 minute mark, I made it farther than I have before in this time.  I got to my turnaround spot in 21:15.  The first half of this run is mainly uphill, while the second half is mostly downhill.  

It must have been hotter outside that I originally thought.  The heat started to get to me.  I kept pouring water on my head and rubbing it on my face and neck to keep cool.  In the past, I would have called it quits and this point and turned off the watch.  Not this time. I kept going at full speed. My heart rate and breathing felt normal.   

I got to mile 4 in 34 minutes.  I knew I was not going to make it in record time so I slowed down to make sure I would finish. I reached the 40 minute mark at the bottom of the last hill.  By this time, I was running out of gas.  I slowed down to a jog and started up the hill.  I turned off the watch and estimated I finished in 45 minutes.  

I was not as disappointed with the run as I would have been in the past.  I ran fast for majority of the run and I have full confidence I will break the 40 minute mark in the fall.

Have you ever made a mistake in  judgment regarding your workout. How did it turn out?  Have you repeated the mistake since?