I'm about as happy as a pig in slop right now! Tonight, I went upstairs, told my treadmill that I was sorry, but I had decided to give her the night off. Yep. A full month before I expected to, I ran outside tonight! I can't take credit for this outdoor push, I was lured in by my need/want to join a group and run with others that enjoy it as much as me.
So tonight, I strapped on my shoes, got my keys and drove over to the Country Club to run the 3 mile loop with a bunch of strangers who after 4.something-ish miles became new friends. Don't get me wrong, it was hot. Like I was tempted to run through several sprinklers along the course hot (I refrained). But it was so incredibly nice to run surrounded by a group in a non-race setting. I had to remind myself about a half mile in that "no Lacy, stop trying to be a super star...this is just a training run." Honestly, it is the first time I've EVER run with a group in a non-race setting, and I must admit, I could get used to this!
After we finished the first 3 mile loop, we all stopped, waited for everyone to all finish and debated on when/whether to start the next loop. At that point, I started talking to a group of girls that all run, all race, and refreshingly, all stand no taller than 5'1" tall. I felt like I'd found my crew. They run, they like it, and they can appreciate that short people have to take twice as many steps as the next person. I did ask them their shoe sizes...I still hold the record for the midget-est feet. YESSSSAAAAA! When we started walking/running the second loop, we all intermingled in conversation, and I began talking about Ultra Marathons with my new friend, Laura.
Now, I'm not usually a risk taker. Sure, I like to do some fun, crazy, stuff every once in a while. But I'm a more "let me think about this for a bit and analyze the bajeezits out of it" before I jump kinda girl. I'm usually pretty calculated in my decision making. I can tell you with certainty, that Laura, within 5 minutes had me completely convinced that I can run a 50 miler in February. I've pretty much all but signed up. I looked it up as soon as I got in the car. Crazy. Yes. LET's GO! 50 miles. That's 2 marathons. Why not?! This girl had me hook, line and sinker. She's done a couple of Ultra Marathons...
**Ultra Marathon: Usually any distance over the 26.2. Mostly 50k, 60k, 50 mile, and the CRAZY 100 mile distance.
She just finished a 60k (37 MILES!), a hilly route no less. I was so impressed with her drive, spirit, and determination. Her philosophy is "it's all mental." And I buy that. Running any race is mostly mental. A positive attitude is so important, especially leading up to the race day. I mentioned this blog to her, and I think she may be doing a "guest spot" to talk about her journey and her mental toughness. She's a Mom, an Iraq Army veteran, a wife, full time career woman, and a runner. I'm blessed to have had her to run with tonight. I needed the boost that she gave me. I needed the positive thoughts and energy of someone that whole-heartedly believes "you can do it." I needed it, and it was infectious! So Laura, thank you for giving me a boost tonight! I can't thank you enough.
Not sure how I'm going to count this run, since I didn't do the full 6 miles, and sadly, there were no hills. I may just use it as my extra run. I'm so pumped up right now, I could go out and do it again...probably not, I just ate a piece of pizza (it was garden pizza Renea :)...!) Anywho, I 'm so excited to have found a run that I could join that's not at 5 am, and does not involve a machine and my gym upstairs. I hope this becomes a weekly event.
It was so nice to meet everyone tonight! I'm now energized and ready for the rest of week 4 into week 5! And if all goes well...my readers may be listening to me yack about my 50 miler February! YIKES!
Thanks for cheering me on!
Lacy
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