nine is just fine!

I have been remiss to not post yesterday after my big run yesterday. If I wait to long, it all fades to an "easy" memory. Easy is not the word I would use!

Thanks to two running partners yesterday, I was able to accomplish 9 miles with extremely little walking. Again, reminding you all that this incredible feat was not one of great speed. Even though I was "running" it was not the fastest pace. I was fortunate enough to have those running with me to let me run at the pace I was comfortable with. There was actually a moment about 30 minutes into the run that I felt "in the groove" (if that's possible), and one of my running buddies decided he needed to take a quick bathroom break and drink of water. We had hit the central part of UW campus and had been running from my house. There was no way I was willing to stop my pace, for fear that I would not be able to resume. I ran on, leaving my prime motivators behind me (a first! that is for sure). Our run had quickly turned into the reverse "beat the bridge" run, and I was heading toward the University bridge. As I jogged up the hill to the bridge, I heard the horn sound, and realized this time, I would NOT beat the bridge.

I had some choice words (feel free to fill in the blanks) as too forcing myself to stop running and wait for a very L O N G rising of the bridge for some tug boat slowly make its way through the cut. My heart rate went back to almost normal pace, and the bridge finally returned to its proper position so that we could continue to run. Someone also waiting for the bridge to return to its regular position commented that only in Seattle will you find runners waiting to cross the draw bridge. I have to agree with that, even though this was the first time I had to wait for the bridge.

My running partners had caught up with me by then, and we continued along Boyer and headed toward the Montlake bridge. Traveling through the park we hit a bit of rain, but not much. At this point, my running buddies were a bit ahead of me and I could hear none of their conversation. I did, however, feel some sort of triumph at this point, since I had reached over the half way mark, and we would be heading back and still getting in decent miles.

To reach the rise of the Montlake bridge, their was a slow upgrade. I felt compelled to walk, and my running coach said, "don't give in." I immediately replied "shut up," since I had run over 50 minutes without walking yet. Already a personal best had been achieved, and if I wanted to walk uphill, I could do so. At the top, we went back to the running pace, and I had a moment of geographical confusion as I thought I would be on the far side of the bridge and found myself on the closer side - the West Side. For awhile I felt that I was running the wrong direction to the destination, and didn't feel the need to put on extra miles, by running AWAY from the homeward destination.

We went through the lower end of UW behind the football field and IMA before returning to the Burke Gilman and following up through Ravenna Park. As we made the slow climb back up 20th, i couldn't help but think that it was uphill (although slight) all the way home. My body screamed to walk several times, and I gave in a couple times but only for a few yards or so.

As a side note, one of my running buddies would often run faster than me, but then slow to a walk. Not much after I would pass him, then he would start running again. I couldn't help but laugh thinking this was some man who couldn't stand the idea of getting past by a woman. I took it as a sign that I had to keep him running as well.

As we closed toward the finish line, i pushed into a fast run, not only to stretch my legs, but to push out everything I had. It was a surprise to find out how much energy I still had!

I didn't finish in half as much pain as I did the week before doing the 10 miles and not having run as far. Either I'm improving, or numbing to the pain! :)

Today was weights and some interval training on the elliptical trainer at the gym. I didn't bring my Ipod and was amazed how BORING the workout could be. (But I still completed the work)

Tomorrow? It will be a short run, 3 miles or so... Isn't funny I'm calling that short! We begin week 7 of the 10 week workout. Four weeks to go. Scary and exciting at the same time.