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Polymerase chain reaction is a cornerstone of molecular biology research. Using short pieces of single-stranded DNA called primers the previously invisible becomes tangible.

Sunday, March 20, 2005

A Price to Pay

  • date: 03/20/05
  • time: afternoon
  • weather: 41ºF, intermittent drizzle, little or no wind
  • mileage: today-10, week-19, year-64.7
  • resting (bpm): 61
  • after workout (bpm): 114
  • weight: +25

comments:

Yeah boy. That’s not a typo. That’s a big one-zero up there for today’s run. Cool moist conditions. My favorite. The hooded sweatshirt was unnecessary. The run started in a slight drizzle, let’s call her Ellie. About two miles in, she departed leaving a crisp fresh mist. It was like catching your girlfriend’s slight wake as she leaves before you to meet the new day. I was breathing freely and deeply. I could run all afternoon and almost did. My pace was steady with several one-minute pick-ups thrown in just to see how much I could handle. Then towards mile eight, reservations started to creep in. I’m far, both in time and fitness, from my high school years. My mileage for today would account for over 50 percent of my weekly total. I’ve only been back into a consistent pattern for two weeks. I was already beginning to feel hot spots on the balls of my feet. Today’s extended romp could exact a heavy toll tomorrow.

Ellie returned and my thoughts dissolved back to rhythm. The drawstrings of my hood swayed like a metronome tapping my chest in time with my footfalls. Breathing in-two-three, out-two-three. In-two-three, out-two-three. Home again, got some water and took my pulse. The damp clothes found the laundry basket as I hit the shower. Miles in the bank, they say. It would be well worth any aches that may arrive tomorrow. Time to get ready for dinner.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Leave it to Pat to name a drizzle.

Primer1 said...

Who among us hasn't felt a little loopy after a long run.

Thanks for reading Braine.