Running Streak

Miles/Time: 6.45 miles/1:19 minutes.

Butterflies fluttered around in my belly last night. I was excited about today's a.m. run with 2 running folks (not exactly running buddies yet, and 2 isn't big enough to be called a group, or does it?)

Woke up this morning. Dreaded a little because I was actually still tired. The butterflies kept me up for a while. Nonetheless, I got out of bed because, lo and behold, I don't want to get left behind on my first run with other people.

Arrived about 15 minutes earlier than everyone else. So, I ran a mile around the courthouse/Y as a warm-up kinda. Well. No. I just can't wait to run today. Really. The air was cool. It was rather crisp. It was too inviting. So I ran slowly.

Mr. R arrived. I know him from the Y classes and his wife is a good friend of my Aunt G. Then, Ms. M came running. She is the one who invited me to run with her. She "briefed" me about the 5:30 a.m. "rule." Basically, they meet at 5:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and if you are late, you get left behind. I like it.  And off we went.

It was quite dark at 5:30ish in the morning so I didn't see a whole of things. But we ran and ran and talked and ran. I got the low-downs on which houses have pit bulls or mean dogs and about other running tips. Also on the different places to run around town and the approximate mileage for each route.  We kept a comfortable pace. It was easy keeping up. At one point, while they were talking about kids, my minded drifted off to my own lala land for a brief minute.

Random Thoughts: Never have I ever imagined myself running with two other people and am able to keep up with them. Never have I ever imagined that I would say "Yeap! Sure" when someone suggested that we run for an hour/5miles.

We ran through the neighborhood and to a little subdivision. It was dark. But apparently, it is quite a safe neighborhood. Well, I felt safe running with a man and woman. At least I know that if a dog is ready to charge toward me, there will be someone there to either get the dog away or call for help. I ran with my hands free. OMG. Freeeeeeeedom!

So, I ran a little over 10K today after the 10-miler on Sunday and I feel TOTALLY AWESOME!  My legs aren't hurting the least bit. And I feel really, totally good! In fact, I can pop out a few more miles tomorrow.

My thoughts on today's run:

1. I like running with someone.
2. I love the advice and the stories they tell. It distracts me from the task at hand.  
3. I probably and most likely am able to run slightly faster (I'm thinking about at 11:30/mile pace for long distance) and they probably won't be able to run faster? But I'm in a group now. Gotta be a team player.
4. Gonna do fartleks on Wednesdays now.
5. Need to get comfortable with expulsion of bodily gas.

Lastly, I brought a thing of spaghetti over to Aunt G's house this evening. Uncle R had passed recently and now, she is alone. Cooking for one is kinda troublesome, so I thought I would bring her some food and visit with her. That's what family is for, right? Especially she just lives a few miles away from us. (By the way, she is my boyfriend's aunt, and is now MY aunt).  I told her all about the running, and she asked if I had a reflective vest. I said "no" but plan on getting one. Then, she gave me one of Uncle R's. Uncle R was a very outdoorsy kinda man. I told her that I will take Uncle R out for my runs. And Uncle R will keep me safe from crazy dogs. :)

Have a wonderful Tuesday. I'm blessed because I am surrounded by people who love me and I'm healthy.