Friday dawned sunny and warm, and I knew the 10 miles was looming ahead of me. First, I was fortunate enough to have breakfast with my dear friend Lila. Lila is "in my tribe" to quote her. Living in a town where my family is no where in sight, I have adopted family, and Lila is a main member. We met at the Varsity in Ravenna, my favorite breakfast place, where I ate Huevos Rancheros (but took half home for tomorrow's breakfast).
Leaving the Varsity, I headed to the Northgate, hoping to buy some cute running outfit to make the 10 miles more exciting. My goal was to start at noon, knowing full well it would take over 2 hours to complete the run. I was unsuccessful at purchasing the motivating shirt, but killed the appropriate amount of time, so I would have little time to talk myself out of heading out for 10 miles.
Came home, changed and jumped back in the car with my IPod before sanity could have a chance to kick in, and drove down to Gasworks to begin the trek. The IPod has become my main training partner. I have lost my best running buddies due to schedule conflicts and relocation, so I'm pretty much on my own. However, (and those of you who have heard me praise this before) I have discovered the amazing world of Podcasts. Steve "Runner" (really Steve Walker) was my training partner today, who has a Podcast called "Phedippidations." (A slight aside, that my first boyfriend in jr. high had the name Steve Walker - not the same guy....) Steve told me all about a lot of other running podcasts, as well as gave me good advice of what to eat for the whole week before my run, not to mention how to play mind games with yourself so that you keep running. (The last was KEY since I have HATED running for the last 2 weeks!!)
I began with the plan of running 22 minutes, than walking 2 minutes. After the 2nd rep of that, it became 20 minute run, 4 minute walk. I chose Gasworks to Magnuson Park, knowing that the last mile was a good downhill grade at the end. My girlie Ironman watch was set for the intervals, and I actually felt pretty good starting out. We passed the IMA at UW and I knew I was already 2 miles in. After that, the landmarks were Zoka, than Metropolotin Market, and then 65th street (which was the turn around spot). I swear that it was a slight upgrade the whole time, but I took comfort thinking that it would be all downhill on the way home. At the turn around point 65th street, I was so excited to know that even if I walked every step home, I was still completing the required 10 miles.
Looking forward to the downhill slope, I was a bit confused to see that it seemed to be a slight uphill slope on the trail. Immediately I was reminded of the story of walking to school in the snow, both ways, uphill, with bare feet. ) Some how I was able to get through, and was pleased to find my geographical markers returning faster than they had been approached on the way in. I found myself exhausted as I neared the U and ended up walking a bit more than the 4 minutes. I actually broke down and walked 10 minutes of my run, until, thankfully, there was someone walking in front of me that was QUITE annoying, so I picked it up one more time, just to pass him up. When I hit the 1 mile left marker, I was thrilled, but barely had enough steam to keep up the "high impact" training zone. The last 100 yards was killer, as I attempted to kick it into high gear, which in my physical ability, felt like a sprint, but was more likely the speed I started out with when I began running.
Finishing, I immediately grabbed my water bottle, kept walking around Gasworks, and was afraid to try and sit in my car, knowing that getting out of the low seat would be a challenge. A reward was heading to Jamba Juice in U Village for a smoothie, and I felt like the old woman attempting to not only get out of the car, but walking the little half flight of stairs from the parking garage to get my coveted prize. I was hobbling, and wondered if I would ever walk normal again, much less run.
The best reward was a massage from my good friend and massage therapist, Detta (who I am willing to admit, is becoming part of "my tribe"). Thank GOD, because I was actually able to function afterwards. The final reward was the movies that night, seeing "The Women." Nothing better than a good chick flick with good friends on a night that if I had more than one "adult beverage" I would be on my lips.
So, thanks for reading this far. I promise you won't have to tolerate a 10 mile read on the rest of the blog. On the schedule ahead... a 3 mile walk tomorrow, some minor runs during the week, and next Friday... 11 MILES!!! (OMG!!!)
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