Perfect Pace

I managed to get all my miles in this week, even when I was in Kansas City. The little trail in Mill Creek Park was perfect. It was well-lit and there were enough walkers and runners to make me feel comfortable. Well almost comfortable. My pace was much quicker because I was a little nervous out there in the dark. On Wednesday I ran 5 laps, which equated to roughly 4.3 miles (although I read elsewhere the loop was .96 miles). We went out to lunch at an Italian restaurant and I felt so bloated after the most excellent pizza I had (and the baby back ribs the night before) and sore from my nervous pace (a little under 11:00 m/m) that the next morning I was only able to run 3 laps. However, overall, I did all the miles for the week, plus 8 on Saturday.

I managed to run the entire 8 miles on Saturday with the 11:00 minute per mile pace group. Only at the very end was I starting to breath heavy. The morning was so beautiful - cool, crisp and the first light of dawn. I was worried when I started because everything seemed to be against me. The city closed off the main road that I take to get to the school where we start our training so I had to take a detour (and I only live 5 minutes away). By the time I got to the school there was no Gu (which is essential for a long run!) so I was Gu-less. The batteries in my music player were dead (I probably left it on during my Kansas City trip). I had to go to the bathroom as soon as I started running. I ran my music player back to the car and when I got back everyone was gone.

It didn't take long to catch up to the 11:00 group. After about 4 miles I found one of my running friends (one has dropped out; one is still run/walking so I don't see her much) at the back of the 11:00 pack. I told her my sad story and she offered me an extra Gu. And I had someone to talk to during my run and didn't miss my music player. The running gods and goddesses were looking out for me! I still had to go to the bathroom but I was able to hold it the entire way.

After the run I had to race over to my son's soccer game. My son's soccer team won their first game! The boys are all in kindergarten and for the most part they are easily distracted and like horsing around with each other rather than focusing on soccer. This was a fun game to watch.

I have two days of five miles during this week - I hope I can fit them in at lunch. We are very nearly at race day!