Uh I didn't .... Oh yeah I did.

Of course it was cold. Of course I wanted to stay in bed. Of course I know none of my running partners are running today. Of course I got up anyway and headed out.

I haven't had the chance to shop for a running hat or a running jacket yet. I've been browsing online, but I'm iffy about it. So, I grabbed a fleece beanie and wore a tank top, topped with a long sleeve technical top, and a light cottony (yeah) sweater-kinda-thing. It was 32 degrees F when I started at 6:08 a.m.

I just ran. I knew that I was gonna take it easy and do none of that 9:00/mile or 10:00/mile nonsense. I know I am not going to do many inclines either.  Call me spoilt, whatever. My shins have been slightly hurting so I figure I'll just log the miles in today. I did a few loops - around the school, around the city park, around a section of a neighborhood, around the Y and a gas station.  I just didn't put much thought into how I am going to log the 8 miles I had planned today.  I wasn't about to wake my brain cells up from hibernation this morning either.  Loopy loops' the way to go!

Eight miles turned into 10. I ran 10 solo miles by myself. I know I am awesome like that. And when I run solo, there's no telling what went on in my head.  So, here are some random thoughts I'm sharing.

1. Oh my. How am I gonna pull 8 miles out of myself this a.m.? 
2. Happy 29th birthday, my dear brother!
3. Slow. Slow. Slow.
4. My legs feel like it is frozen solid. 
5. Eight miles. 
6. Running was easier when I have people with me.
7. Misery loves company.
8. Happy birthday, my dear brother! 
9. Mint chocolate Gu is THICK! 
10. 5 miles or so is how long I get to feel a little warmed up.
11. I miss running alone. 
12. I've got some pep in my step now.
13. At the city park: Really? I hate vandalism. Someone spray painted profane man parts on a newly laid pavement in the city park.  Seriously?  We need more Michael Fay - type punishment around. These people have no respect! ARGH!!!!!! 
14. Ok, I can pull 10 miles out of myself today. 
15. Bonus 2 miles for to celebrate my brother's birthday! 
16. Let me run around the gas station a few times to make it 10. 
17. Phew. It's over! I'm amazing.

Me, after 10 miles, in my vehicle.

All right, 10 miles in 1 hour and 50 something minutes.  I had forgotten to turn my Garmin back on while I was sipping water at the water fountain.  Not too shabby! 

Back at home, I ate turkey bacon and scrabbled eggs and hot hot coffee for breakfast. Then I took a hot hot shower and stretched in the shower. Love it.  

Considered It Done and Did.

Thought of the Day.  The difference between thinking about doing it and doing it is just doing it. 

Mental Prep.  I was a tad worried last night about the 10-miler today.  I botched the 10-miler last week and ended up with some pain in the knee.  So last night, I prepped myself mentally that if it starts hurting bad enough that I was hobbling, I was going to take it easy and not finish the 10-mile.  I learned that I have to condition myself and set a certain expectation and brainstorm different scenarios and solutions to the problems just to avoid having one goal and a one track mind.  I did that last week. I was so focused on getting 10-miles done that when I didn't do that, I was quite frustrated with myself, felt bummed the entire weekend and didn't even celebrate the fact that I had a rather fun 5K race earlier that morning. 

The Run.  I rolled out of bed and chomped down a Powerbar as I got dressed and ready for the run. Got my handheld bottle out of the fridge and off I went.  The first 2 miles were slow like I had intended it to be. I was still trying to shake the slumber off my head and I didn't want to tire myself out. Ran downtown and had my first Gu ever at Mile 3. I tore the packet off with my teeth and I thought I was some hot shot! Until I had my first taste - it was a little "hmmmm...." Not too sure that tastes good. Tried to wash it down with some water, and I am not very good at coordinating my eyes, my feet, my swallowing and everything all at one time. So I stopped and took a few seconds to finish it up that Gu and had some more water, ran to the Dumpster and threw the packaging away and continue the run.  I didn't turn my watch off at this time either.
I scheduled to run to aunt's house - just in case I needed to use the bathroom. Didn't needed it. Ran and ran up downtown, down downtown. Smelled some bleach. Saw some azaleas which made me thought of my sweet neighbor who had passed away several years ago.  She always assured me "Everything will be just fine. They will be just fine." 

Be proud of me because I actually didn't weazle my way out of slopes today. I ran up and down at least 4 slopes. Ran to the boyfriend's office to see if he is still there. He was. Took my 2nd GU and washed it down while he told me about him making headway on his dissertation. He asked about my knee. Told him it was behaving. Asked where's Buttercup. Told him I cheated on her again.  He said he was gonna go get breakfast for me and it will be waiting for me when I get done with 10 miles. I love him so much!

Ran to the school and did a loop there. I wanted to make sure that by the time I reached my car, I would already have completed 10 miles because it would be a cruel joke to play on my psyche if I have to run to my car and go, "uh-huh! Can't stop yet. Keep going."  Mile 7 - knee started hurting a tad but it was ok. Not so drastic yet. I can do it. The difference between thinking about doing a 10 mile and running a 10 mile is just running the 10 miles.  I kept going. Mile 8 and I thought about my friends, Judith and Rindy. Judith told Rindy while they were running their half-marathon at mile 10 that they have 3.1 bonus miles to go.  So, I keep telling myself, "Yay! I get to run another 2 bonus miles!"  And before I know it, I finished my 2 bonus miles! Limped a little to my car while I called the boyfriend to tell him, "I DID IT!" and off my way to eat some good breakfast with my boyfriend. Life is so good and I am sooo darn happy!

 My post-10 mile face

The Stats.  

Mile 1 = 12:41.48

Mile 2 = 12:38.27

Mile 3 = 12:14.90

Mile 4 = 12:31.51

Mile 5 = 12:08.95

Mile 6 = 11:58.21

Mile 7 = 11:53.20

Mile 8 = 12:30.06 

Mile 9 = 12:21.82

Mile 10 = 12:30.85

10 miles = 2:03.32.   Average 12:21/mile

Will write about what I thought about the GU flavor, my new running shirt, and my running bottle in the next post.