T-E-N

For most marathon runners, the number 20 is a milestone of sorts; there is an immense amount of satisfaction that comes with seeing the "20.0" on your Garmin for the first time in a training cycle. While I will not have the luxury of seeing the "20.0" this spring, the feeling today when I saw double digits on my watch (with a right leg still attached to my body!) was markedly similar. 

The Hampton Half Marathon was held today, and my plan was to go up to watch some people run, and meet up a good friend to spectate.  Since the course is flat, it was the perfect venue to put some miles on the 'ole legs. 

To prepare for my run, I made sure to not run yesterday. Instead, I spun on my bike, went on a ridiculously fun hike with awesome company (which always requires lots of trail mix; M&M heavy of course!)

Why hello muddy shoes!!

Yum! 

and had a wine date with one of my most favorite people. 

I collapsed into bed feeling so "full" and happy. 

I wanted to get most of my miles in this morning before the race, so I headed up early. I started my watch,and ran away from the course. I've raced that course before, and didn't want to get competitive or upset that I wasn't racing today. The first three miles ticked by as I headed out of Hampton and into Seabrook. One leg felt spicy, the other leg holding on, and my body deliriously happy I was pounding pavement. As I approached mile four, I thought about turning around, heading back to where I started, and then adding on two miles off the back end. The legs had other ideas, so I trudged on through Seabrook and into Salisbury. It was a gorgeous morning, and I wish I could put into words just how happy and alive I felt running out there. I didn't want to turn around at mile five. I knew I had to, but my God it was a H-A-R-D decision to make. 

Into the wind, and surpassing my longest run in many weeks, I started to labor a little at mile eight. Nothing horrid, I just noticed by breathing more, and it was requiring more work to keep a manageable pace. What happens when my mind starts to go astray? I make a plan - I would slog to mile nine, and then see if I could lay down a quick final mile to finish the run feeling like a true rockstar. 

And my God did I ever - I hit mile nine and let the legs come out to play. My left leg MUCH more eager than my right, but they wanted to dance. And dance we did. Right up until I saw double digits on my Garmin, when I stopped my watch, and thanked my body for being able to carry me for ten miles today. 

TEN MILES!!!

I met up with Jo, we walked up to mile 11, and cheered on everyone! I was freezing and starving, but had we had an awesome time catching up. I, of course, picked the EXACT minute Sam ran by to go to the bathroom, but she ended up finishing strong! 

So cold... 

It was an incredible weekend, and congrats to everyone that raced today! 

Happy training!