Sunday, November 15, 2009

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!!




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17 comments:

  1. Wow! Those are some awesome splits, lady! Sounds like you two had fun!

    So, are you going to run one more long run, then? I wasn't sure what to do since we finished our training plan a bit early. How far are you going to go next weekend?

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  2. You will kick ass in the Seattle Half! A sub-2 hour half for sure! That's actually one of my goals, to run a sub-2 hour half. I've only run one, and I got 2:14:50, but I think I'm a much better runner now.

    I actually feel encouraged that you were able to A) run and B) run that well in the cold and rain. For some reason, I have it in my mind that it will be like a tropical storm or something :)

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  3. LOL I am just like that, if there is a present in the vicinity I have to open it. Good for you on practicing patience. Good luck on the half marathon. Mine is coming up in February!

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  4. I am very proud of you and hope that your hill workouts will help with the Seattle Half and long run running dates
    I am going to try again to get started on running again... I'd love if this time it takes.
    How mean of J to give your Christmas present early.. I am so impatient I am not sure that I wouldn't be able to wait..
    I also miss our weight workouts

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  5. Like words right out of my mouth. I had a BLAST and would LOVE to accompany you on a 3rd date (last long run).. My hair was so gross when we were done. The shower and coffee were soooo good..

    HUGS!! My stats will be different because I turn off my watch when we stop.. LOL!! I think mine was 1:42:42.. Will post tomorrow.

    FYI I rocked in volleyball..

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  6. I woul totally want to open that present...so pretty!!

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  7. Sounds like a great LR! GL on your HM! Also how you don't tear that present open is beyond me! Open it open it open it!!! :D

    CJ

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  8. It sounds like a great run! I know what you mean about being a little ahead of the person you're running with. The same thing happens to me when I'm out with my husband.

    Early presents are such a mixed bag. I love the excitement of guessing what it is, but I'm terribly impatient.

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  9. Great run! so cool that you two get to run together.

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  10. Oh man how are you restraining yourself from opening the present! I am so bad, if anyone gave me the green light on a present or even a yellow light i'd be all over it!

    Sounds like you and Tall Mom rocked the rainy run!! I can't believe you only have 2 weeks before the Seattle half! My how time Flies!

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  11. Great speedy run! Sounds like you'll do great in your half!

    Don't open your present! Anticipation is half the fun! : )

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  12. Seems to me you had a great date with Mel, you're both amazing woman when it comes to running.

    I would find it hard not to open the present before Christmas :)

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  13. NICE pace!!! Isn't it intense how psychological running can be? Love the idea of Mel pushing you by running slightly behind you. Very cool.

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  14. Hi Amanda! Awesome that you ran with Mel! She's wicked fun. :)
    Yes, I'm running the Seattle Half, too! It's my first half, and I'm nervous but excited...so I guess anxious should describe it. Nice to meet you! Now I'm followin'. :)

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  15. Amanda,
    I read this late last night and didn't get a chance to comment... how cool that you guys are on your second date! LOL It was my second w/ the Redhead, too... how funny.

    Two weeks 'til Seattle... yikes! So excited for you!

    And that present...would so want to open it! :-)

    Hugs from Orlando,
    'the turtle'

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  16. OH, that is NOT fair that he has your Christmas present so early! Tease! I hate when my husband tells me about gifts in advance ... I love the surprise on the special day, but can't wait to know what it is!

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  17. You are so lucky to get to run with Mel . . . . and Mel is lucky to run with you.

    I love to run by myself - but having a partner every once in a while sounds like fun. And I bet it makes the miles fly by.

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You're pretty much awesome!!

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