Getting There

I had my long run on Saturday....7 miles was on the calendar. The informal TNT alumni run wasn't scheduled to start until 9 so I headed out a little early so I could suffer run my first two miles in silence. I've tried running right from the start, a walk warm up, stretching once warm, stretching while still cool and I just can't seem to avoid the shin splints I get for the first 2-3 miles. If I was new to marathoning or training for a shorter race like a 5K, I'd have quit a long time ago. I hate the first 2-3 miles with a passion. Yes, I realize I'm a coach and I should probably say that it gets easier. No, it doesn't get any easier until I get past the 3 mile mark. At least that's how it is for me. I know I'm not alone in this feeling but it is sure frustrating! I just keep trying to tell myself that I am designed for long distances....you know, just like the Kenyans. Or something like that.

Anyways, I did my 2 miles slightly faster than last week and then met up with the team. I was stopped a little longer than is ideal but it is always fun to catch up with alumni. Especially when they have just set a crazy PR....HELLO LISA!! I mentioned she was running the Savannah Marathon and let me tell you, she killed it! She came flying in at 4:25...beating her previous PR by 30 minutes!!! Holy smokes! I am so proud of her and I was jumping up and down when I get a text from her after the race. :)

The team headed out for varying distances and I ended up running alongside one of our TNT staff, Nick. He's a much faster runner but he completely humored me by sticking with me for 2.5 miles!! I'm not even sure if he realized how awesome that was. Know what happens when you run with someone who you know is slowing down to run with you? You run faster and longer. I kept glancing at my watch and it was a good 30-60 seconds faster than my normal pace. I also really wanted to take a walk break after 2 miles but because he was there, I just kept going. Plus, I really enjoyed the company so the 2.5 miles went by really quickly.

When Nick split off to get in a couple more miles, I ended up catching another group of our team. This alone was pretty amazing...I NEVER catch anyone else. :) They were stopped at a drinking fountain and I could finally take the walk break I needed wanted. When they started running again, I let them know that I was going to use them as my carrot to help me make it all the way back.

Now because two of them aren't currently training for anything and they are just thoughtful and selfless people, Mary and Elizabeth (Parker's aunts!) hung back with me and encouraged me the entire 2.5 miles back. I told them when I really wanted a walk break and we set a goal for when to walk and for how long and they held me to it. I really wanted to walk it in the last quarter mile (I was losing steam quick!) but Elizabeth wouldn't "let me." :)

And so I finished 7 miles in 1:31! Still not quite PR pace but it was an average of about 30 seconds faster per mile than last week! That was a huge relief and I was really excited to see that. I know that if Nick, Mary and Elizabeth wouldn't have stuck by my side, I would have walked more and run slower. THANK YOU!!!