My run began with this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-duPPLhqe0
It ended with this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NidVUCC42N4
In between was a little of everything. My iPod is my very favorite thing in the world. It doesn't judge me for my ecclectic taste. It just plays on as if going from Barbara Streisand to Lady Ga Ga to Harry Belafonte is the absolute most rational thing in the world to do.
I had a lovely run this morning. I was going to get up at 6:20 and run before my day started. I woke up at 5. I laid in bed until 5:30 and just got up and went. I am growing weary of the treadmill, and I think I was eager to get out on the streets of Lakeland Hills. It's bizarre. I run faster when not on the treadmill. I go further when not on the treadmill. Common sense dictates that the treadmill would be easier since I have it on absolute zero incline. I averaged an 11 minute mile on the roads where on the 'mill, it's at least a 12, more often a 13 minute mile. I think I may need to re-think my whole training.
I have discovered a lovely site called MapMyRun. I have no idea how it works other than it can tell me distance I cover on the winding streets of this sprawling housing development. I'm looking forward to really figuring it out and pre-planning routes and just turning into a running machine. Dancing queen. Yup, I had "Mama Mia" in the mix, too.
I also made an unexpected connection today with a mom from Wendy's school. We found ourselves in the same place for much longer than we had anticipated (it's such a long, long story, so just accept the surface explanation). She is an avid runner, and she was excited to hear I'm going to do my first half. She loves the Seattle half and said that my biggest goal for my first half is simply to finish. It's a hilly run, and she said I will need to walk up the hills and then just book down them. She assured me that having to incorporate some walking into the half is going to be essential and necessary. I'm feeling reassured and more confident than ever!
All in all, a very comforting day. I was getting discouraged by my seeming failure on the treadmill, and am excited to find that when my feet hit actual pavement, I'm a lot better at everything!
