Anxious to try out my new Wal-Mart purchased knee wrap, a Mueller one-size-fits-all adjustable compression knee support type wrap, my wife and I headed out the door this morning at exactly 7:57 a.m.
Greeting us as soon as we exited our air-conditioned condo was 86 degrees with humidity that could just about be cut with a knife. We knew that we were in for a hot walk – and if we felt up to it – short spurts of running.
Hiding behind a large eastern cloud was the punishing sun that was just about to make its not-so-grand entrance. Not five minutes into our walk, the blaring sun did just that. Jan forgot her sunglasses, so when the sun did come out from behind the cloud it was a double whammy for her.
We typically start out slow, forcing us to pick up the pace later to make up for lost time. This morning’s first mile was a 16.57 pace, one and a half minutes slower that our usual settled-in pace. Some things just never change!
All Walt Disney World running/walking events require runners to maintain a 16 minute per mile pace. And if you don’t, they will scoop you off the course without hesitation. We’ve always been well below the scoop-pace, and we are determined to complete both the 5K and half marathon this coming October 1st without being taken off the course.
The knee wrap seemed to work wonders. Placing it around my right knee, which is the only knee that’s been giving me fits lately, at no time did I feel apprehensive because of weak or aching knees. I’ll test it one more time, and if the knee feels comfortable during one more power-walk session then I’ll purchase a second one for my left knee – just in case.
Despite the slow-motion first mile, we still averaged less than a sixteen minute per mile pace for the 3.6 miles. We ran only twice, 30 seconds each time.
We can already feel the 5K and half marathon finisher medals around our necks.
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