10k!!!!!

Despite not being able to get my 30 minute interval run in on Wednesday due to rain, I went out for my long run today. I was aiming for 6 miles.

It was a sunny, 48F morning. Rather chilly for shorts, but perfect for a run. I warmed up rather quickly and really enjoyed the run. I tried a different path today. I noticed I reached the track at almost exactly one mile. That was helpful for the end of my run. At the track, I ran a few laps, synching my Garmin's laps. It was right on. 0.25 miles per lap. As I was running the loops, I was reminded of PE class in high school. My first teacher wanted us to run 1.5 miles around our track. I decided that was something I didn't want to do... COULDN'T do. I certainly couldn't at that moment, but I thought I just couldn't. I wasn't made to run and no matter how hard I tried I wouldn't be able to do it. So, I switched PE teachers! Looking back, that was probably a bad idea. It would have been great if I could have challenged myself and worked up to the 1.5 miles. There were two problems: 1) I was self conscious about how I looked when I ran, so I didn't want t try and 2) the teacher didn't want us to take any walking breaks. How could I have worked up to 1.5 miles without using walking breaks or starting at a shorter distance? Anyway, I completed my 1.5 miles (6 laps) this time and continued on!

On part of the run, I ran in the grass. In the morning, grass is WET. So, now my feet are, too. I find that unless the grass is freshly cut, it tends to be too long for me to run in. I have to pick up my feet so high, especially due to the dew. Also, the ground is very uneven in places and I have to watch out. My ankles are pretty weak and I'm afraid of injuring them. Some of the grass had tracks worn in, though, which kept the grass short and the ground more or less level. That was nice. I chose that over the asphalt when possible.

As I was nearing the track again, I decided to run a lap or two until I was at 5 miles, so the mile home would put me at 6 miles. As I rounded one end into the sun, I looked up and about 30 yards in front of me were three deer grazing and watching me. Wonderful!! As I looped around a second time, they were still there. I must not be too scary.

Right as I got home, I hit 6.2 miles and came to a stop. It took about 1:12! Well under my goal of 1:30. A very satisfying run!

I had been worried that my knee would give me problems. It has been feeling slightly funny for the past several days. But, no problems at all. My joints and muscles weren't as sore this time compared to last week's long run.

Just under a month until the 10k race!! I definitely know I can run the distance if I don't go too fast!