My first long run!

I am running with the Team in Training group today. I am excited.

Until I wake up at 6 a.m. and hear rain beating against the window. It is pouring like a bitch outside. I lay in bed wondering if I should get up. Our run isn't until 7:30 so I do have some time, but it is raining like a bitch. I do not mind running in the rain, but not a downpour. I sweat like a huge sweaty person anyway, so I end up wet when I finish, but I would like to not be wet when I start.

I get up and hope for the best. By about 6:45, the rain had stopped. I am elated! I can run four miles without getting soaked to the skin!

I take a peach and my coffee with me as I drive to meet the group at the Amherst Bike Path. I learned from my three mile run the other day that I need some food. And coffee is a must. The bike path is a wonderful path to run or exercise. It is well marked and maintained. And since they caught the bike path rapist/killer, it is also relatively safe. But I am with the Team in Training group. What could happen?

Everyone seems nervous when I get there. I have the benefit of having started marathon training with Team in Training a few years ago. I didn't finish, but I am no longer nervous. I used to think I was horrible because I don't run fast. In fact, some walkers might pass me. Now I know that each person is different. My strength is that I am steady. I start running slowly and that's how I finish. I am nothing if not consistent.

Lat night I made sure to download motivational music to my IPod shuffle. I wanted to make sure that nothing would prevent me from finishing the four mile run. I remember the last time I did this, I had to walk part of the four mile run. I was determined not to do that today!

And I didn't. I was able to make it through the entire four miles without issue. And no walkers passed me! Of course, I am the slowest of the runners. In fact, one overachieving runner was able to run six miles in the time it took me to run four, but that's okay. We are not the same. And I ran four miles.

I also realize that I like running alone. Other folks like to run and talk. I do not. I like to be lost in my music enjoying the world around me. For instance, while running I saw two deer grazing in the distance near the tree line. It was beautiful and I was able to enjoy it by myself without having commentary from anyone. My own mental commentary was plenty.

Of course, it would be nice if I could run as fast as some others, but it is what it is.

And I finished.