6 Miles

Each week is now "personal record week". Since I am fairly new to running since I have never gotten very far with it, each time I run seems like I am setting personal records. I had never run more than a 5K before. When I ran 4 miles, it was a record. Last week when I went 5.3, it was a record.

Yesterday was another record. 6 miles.

I have to write about them the next day because that's when I truly feel it.

I had been with a friend of mine on Friday. She was planting a garden yesterday in memory of a good friend/family member. I told her I wouldn't be able to join her because I was running. She mentioned that is where her friend would rather be. Her friend was a runner. Loved it and was damn good at it. I remember several Corporate Challenges before she died. She would completely look the part in the running shorts (my thighs still rub together too much for me to wear running shorts so I wear spandex) and her running shirt with sports bra. She would return to the corporate tent afterward not even looking as though she broke a sweat. That is a complete change from what I experience.

At any rate, I told my friend that I would think of her friend while I was running.

And I did.

The first mile seemed much harder than previous miles. In fact I was worried that since it was so difficult, the last 5 would be impossible.

Mile 2 and 3, also difficult. We usually had a water break at mile 2 but yesterday they moved it to mile 3. I didn't know what to do! I thought, good lord, I need my water at mile 2. I thought I would break the 6 miles into three 2 mile pieces, with water after each 2 miles. But the coaches had a different idea and I have to follow along.

I think I thought of my friend's friend at about mile 2.7. There is a lovely little wooden bridge that crosses some creek or another. It is quite beautiful. I don't quite remember what I thought but I remember that it made me smile. I also wouldn't say it motivated me to continue, per se. But the fact that I smiled is enough.

When you feel as though you are killing yourself, if you can crack a smile, something is working in your favor. If you keep going, that's worth the effort.

Today I am limping around - more for sympathy than anything else (I am a Leo and fond of dramatics) - because my thighs are screaming for me never to run again. I will shut them up tomorrow when I run 2.5 miles with ease (it better be with ease after 6).

And I will do yoga later to make them feel a bit better.

After the water stop at mile 3, we turned around. The countdown is much easier for me. And I seem to get a second wind. It's as if the first half is a warm up and the second is just because I can. At mile 3.5 I felt pretty good and thought I could have kept going.

When I finished 6 miles, I thought, I think I could keep running if I had to. Thankfully I didn't have to.

Until next week. When it's 7. I better smile more than once. Thanks D.