Ten Miles and How the Kid Passed Me

I haven't run much this last week, missed a five mile scheduled run.  I wasn't feeling 100% and with all the sick people in my office and the looming 1/2 in two weeks, I have been really trying to just rest and gorge on Vitamin C.  

It was cold on Saturday and I really just wanted to lay in bed, but I HAVE to kick ass on this half, so I rolled out of bed.  

You know what makes running in 40 degree weather when you want to stay in bed all worth it?

Cute new outfit from Old Navy!  Love their workout gear and best of all, it was ALL on sale this week!!!  If you look cute you can run fast right?

Right!

Ten miles was on the schedule for today, other than the first 1/2 I did a few years back, I have NEVER run this far, ever!  I was a bit scared, but really believe my runs are bad in my head, so I just kept telling myself I was a bad ass, and really, it isn't a far stretch.

Especially when this is where you decide to run.  San Diego Harbor.  This is what Winter looks like for us.

One thing I have really been trying to do is pay attention to my body and my runs.  When I start to feel fatigued, when I am struggling, etc.  This is something I have never done before and it has been really interesting.  I really struggle my first three to five miles.  They are the hardest for me.  Maybe because I am not warming up enough?  Maybe my body just hasn't gotten into the mode of running, I am not sure.  Around mile 2.5 I really wanted to just turn around and head back.  I was hurting and struggling and well, just thought I was going to die.  

For me, giving up is the hardest obstacle.  In the past, that was my way.  I would head out to run three miles, get tired and stop.  I have learned that I need to run away from my car, not in circles.  That way, I have to eventually go turn around and run the same distance back.  It is working, I kept on and finally around mile four found my pace.

The Harbor is beautiful and full of boats, people running, families visiting, so much life.  Turns out that I ran right by Rachel from Postcards from Rachel.  She is out here for a girls weekend and posted a pic right where I was at the same time!  How crazy is that!  Wish I was actually people watching and had a chance to say hi to her!

About a half mile from the finish, I ran into a kid on a bike and for some reason I was running strong and had it in me.  Almost to the point I was thinking about going eleven miles.  So, being the smart ass competitor I am, I wanted to fly by this kid.  I didn't.  That is when I decided that maybe ten was a good run for today.

When I started struggling, I decided not to let my time drive me, but to enjoy the run.  I forget sometimes what a beautiful city I live in and so, every once in a while I would stop and take a pic.  Take a breath and head on.  I wanted to hit this run under 12, but did not.  I finished right at a pace of 12mph.  But you know what?  I didn't care.  Two hours was my time and I hit that right on!

Have to say, I am really proud of myself.  This was a huge mental block to get over and I not only finished, I really kicked ass and was proud of my run.  I took a minute after it just to relax and enjoy the Harbor.  My life sometimes gets so rushed that I forget this part.  Threw on my fancy dancy compression sleeves and just sat on a bench for a few minutes.

Then headed off to meet a friend at Starbucks and grab my FAVORITE summer drink - Cool Lime - Yummy!!!

Almost be perfect, if I hadn't spelled my name three times to the poor girl that was so confused with my name.  She almost got it....

How did you spend your Saturday?