11 Miles of Rainy Running (with Tall Mom)!

Today I had date number 2 with Mel-Tall Mom on the Run! I must say, this relationship is moving along nicely, I see a third date in our future!

Last time we met up to run we were honored to be sharing the trail with a fun Pirate Parade (read about that bloggy running meet-up HERE). The park near the trail was bustling with people and pirates...it was fun. This time we were sure it would be easier; less people, less traffic, less cars, more parking. I was happy to be on time (don't hold your breath, that rarely happens) then I saw the road was closed due to a terrible car/semi accident. Uh oh...I am not familiar with the area so I called Mel and told her what was going on. There was no way around it. I decided to park at the nearest trail-head and we would start running toward each other. As I started out I saw a couple of guys who told me it was about three miles to the park, where I was to meet Mel.

By the time I ran into Mel we both had run about 1.3 miles and we were both wearing GREEN jackets! It was pretty neat! So after some painful running math we (ahem...Mel) figured out how far to run before we had to turn around so that I would not have to run a step more than 11 miles. :) He he!

We had such a good time and the the time literally FLEW by. It is so cool how the miles just pass on by with hardly a notice when you have someone to talk with. I barely looked at my Garmin. At one point we were waiting at a crosswalk and Mel mentioned that she was trying to stay just a little tiny bit behind me so that she wouldn't make me run too fast. I hadn't really noticed but once she pointed it out I realized it was actually helping me run faster, just a tiny bit faster. Something about having her right there, beside me but behind not even a step, helped me to push just a little bit more than I would have otherwise. Now if she were just a smidgen in front I bet I would have started to lag behind. Something about being behind that mentally defeats me. I think we are pretty good running partners.

Here are my stats for today's run (Mel's will be a bit different since we started at different times and places and we were about .05 off):
Mile 1: 9:52
Mile 2: 9:02
Mile 3: 9:30
Mile 4: 9:34
Mile 5: 9:52
Mile 6: 9:40
Mile 7: 9:40
Mile 8: 9:23
Mile 9: 9:13
Mile 10: 9:11
Mile 11: 9:01

Total time: 1:44.03

Check out the times for the last 6 miles, not too shabby! Oh, and did I mention it was kind of raining? The trail was littered with puddles! We hopped those puddles as best we could but my shoes got soaked. I see why good socks are important now. My hair looked like a rat's nest by the time I got home!

So today was a total success and a HUGE THANK YOU to Mel! I had a great run! I am hoping we can get together next weekend for my last long run before the Seattle Half!

2 WEEKS until Seattle Half!!

Today I am grateful for:

-This:

My Christmas present that is KILLING me! The Hubs said I could open it now, and I just might, but for now I am working on my patience! I'll let you know AS SOON AS I OPEN IT! :)
-Awesome running partners and running dates!
-A great run today!
-Family!

Run Happy Peeps!!