208 Days Left

I really wanted to stay in bed this morning.  I woke up at 5:30.am.in.the.morning before the alarm even went off.  I looked at the clock and asked myself if I REALLY wanted to get up at 5:30 on a Saturday morning on a day when we have a pretty full schedule.  So, I closed my eyes again and considered going back to sleep.  I really tried to go back to sleep.  And then, I got up, got dressed, and got going.  I didn't even wear a cute outfit today.  I wore cotton capris and a race t-shirt.  I put on my shoes and went on my way. 

Today was long run day.  Keep in mind that I am not even on the training schedule yet, so my "long" run was 3.2 miles.  This is the longest distance that I have ever run.  In my life.  I tried to psyche myself into the long run.  I tried this run a few days ago, but I upped my intervals that day and, quite honestly, petered out coming down the hill on the way home and didn't have the juice to go up another hill, so I cut it short and patted myself on the back for upping the interval.  No excuses today.  I had to do it.  So, to convince myself that once I started down the hill, I was in the home stretch, I did the "hard" stuff first.  I went around my neighborhood and up the hill I usually walk.  Then I went out into the "real world" and went into the other neighborhoods on the way UP so when I got to the stoplight at the top of the big hill, I could just turn around and skedaddle on home.  This tactic seemed to work unless I was actually attacking one of the aforementioned hills.  Then I hated it and wanted to go back home and get in bed.  I mean, who wakes up at 5:30 on a Saturday morning to run for no good reason?

When I wasn't whining to myself on my little jaunt, I noticed some things.  It was quiet and peaceful this morning.  The sun was just coming up.  There weren't many cars going by and there weren't any people out and about.  I came across bunnies and birds.  I had my music in my ears, but it was calming.  I spent my cool down walking my poor, neglected dog.  I have missed quiet walks since we usually walk with the husband and three kids.  It was a beautiful morning and I am glad (yep, that says glad) that I got up and went.  Now it's done and I can sleep in tomorrow.  Plus, if I had slept in, I would have missed seeing the SUV pulling a trailer with a cannon on the back.  How often will I see something that that???

Today's Stats:
3.2 miles in 41.02 (12.8 minute mile)
*NOTE:  See that number up there????  It is below a 13 minute mile.  I have NEVER run faster than a 13 minute mile.  Today's run was the furthest I have ever gone and the fastest that I have ever run.  Today, I feel like a rock star!