8 Mile

Hello all- this is my first blog post. Mostly because I do not think that I am witty enough to post on here and because Pat usually beats me to it.

Anyway, as you already know we had a break from running due to our cross country trip. Since we have gotten back on Monday night I have been having a hard time loosening up my legs for a solid run. This week I have struggled through two 3 mile runs and a 5 mile. Today we were slated for another 10 but I decided that I would rather run a solid 8 miler and try and pick up the pace a bit.

This was the first weekend that Pat and I have had free in about 4 weeks. Having nothing to do in a weekend is sometimes more exciting for us then having a weekend with a ton of plans. That being said we slept in till noon, first time that has happened in almost 2 months. Lounging around watching TV I was pushing back the run for as long possible hoping to maybe even to do it tomorrow. Until I stopped on something that I had seen 100000 times but this time it had a new meaning to me- and it motivated me to get my ass up and run. It made me think- WHY do you run? Because we had a tough day at work, because we want to get in shape, because it helps us think, or because I just feel like running?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AN8kAjbuCIA

The run today went really well- I was hoping that the weather would be cooler because it’s the fall but it was almost 90 out today so it wasn’t my favorite conditions. I kept a strong pace for most of the run- the beginning started out great and my leg muscles weren’t as tight as they were the past few days. Pat went for a 10 miler and left me at the 4 mile spot. I was a little nervous that with out him there to make me feel pressured that I wouldn’t keep up the pace. Pat even thought that he was going to be able to run the extra two miles and catch up with me again! I did walk for about a city block but picked up the pace and finished out the final 4 miles at about a 9:30 pace -with an occasional sprint- and Pat never caught up. Overall it was a successful run and I am happy that my legs held up! Can’t wait for the half!