Back in Black...

I've already mentioned that last week's run was painful...seriously, seriously painful.

The next few days afterwards, I started to get extremely sore...could barely move my legs...much less contemplate running...all of which I attribute to the fact that I didn't finish out my cool down and went straight from running to my car.

Tonight, I began again...well, not really "began again"...I took off on my second go round of W1D1, considering the last one more of a fitness trial.

This time around, though, I have several things to consider. I'm a big guy, so I don't exactly wear light colored clothes. Thus, all of my workout clothes are either black or navy blue. This worked well back when I lived at the apartment because I ran on the concrete sidewalk that was lit for miles. Now, however, there is very little lighting to speak of whatsoever.

Thus, I popped onto my old friend RoadID.com and purchased some new gear to help me be more visible running during the night: a green FireFly Supernova (this thing is freaking bright...I also got green because I didn't want to be mistaken for a firetruck or a police car), reflective shoelaces and this spiffy hat (actually, the hat makes me look a bit like a dork...but it's reflective and comfortable).

After putting everything on, I headed out the door tonight at 9:00 and just took off exploring side streets. The Supernova is essentially a miniature strobe light and it is bright. I know I've already said that, but I need to emphasize that it. is. bright. Like I could see living rooms light up when I ran by them and it would flash. There's a way to turn off the strobe and turn it into one constant beam...I may do that for my next run. However, I was certain that I was being seen. I saw two cars very specifically change lanes to move out of my way. Of course, I probably look a little crazy with a green strobe light on my wrist.

There are several huge differences in running in this neighborhood versus the old one. For starters, my run tonight was almost entirely flat. While I did have the option of taking a pretty steep hill, I remember there being some dogs up there that weren't in a fence, so I didn't want to chance that in the dark. The other thing is that it is dark out here. I'm used to running under a street light every 50 feet. At one point, I had to take down a trail between two little sections of our neighborhoods and had to use the SuperNova as a flashlight...and the strobe wasn't exactly comforting...which is yet another reason to turn it to just a constant light...or I could dig out my old Petzl headlamp. That might be an interesting look for someone who isn't an ultramarathoner.

The run itself went fine...the air was a little humid but not suffocating...as I mentioned, the terrain is mostly flat...instead of the sidewalks, however, I ran on the streets. I've noticed in 5ks that for some reason it's actually been tougher for me when I hit asphalt...so I figure I may as well make sure that I get plenty of it in.

All in all, it was a good real Week 1 Day 1. I didn't really run any sort of route...I just ran around...I know this neighborhood like the back of my hand and still managed to get slightly lost (I turned one street to early trying to come back)...that was a little bit fun and a little bit frustrating...but I'm just glad to know that I'm back.