Today was the big birthday challenge. Simply run a mile for each year of my life. So I talked Stevie into joining me and we met up at 4:30 a.m. When I left the house it was raining and I was thinking it would make for a long run... but then by the time I met up with Steve it stopped and things turned out to be really great. The morning was calm and very peaceful. So the goal was to simply do 30 miles- not fast or cool just do them. I decided it would be best to met at the DC and we would do 3 out and back runs up the river trail. This way we had water and supplies at both ends... so every 5 miles we could refuel and that worked out really well. I only wore the garmin on the first outing because I didn't want to be bothered by pace and time. However we did the first 10 miles in 1:19:45 and the second 10 we ran harder and faster than the first then on the 3rd trip we ran about as fast as the first. So I'm guessing it took right at 4 hours of running time. I did have to take a few potty breaks (4 for the morning) and some other time refueling. It seemed the first 10 were the hardest. The second 10 was the fastest, and the the final 10 was the one I remember the most... After 20 miles I switched shoes just to keep the feet happy and I was glad I did. The fresh shoes felt really good. All in all it was a really good run. My hammy was just about as sore as it has been. Since I wasn't pushing the pace it didn't "flare" up and hurt more. So now I'm going to at least try and keep training for Squaw Peak in June. My motivation is to just do it and finish now- when I first signed up my motivation was to try and win or at least be up there... but my hamstring has put an end to those kind of goals. Anyways it was a really fulfilling and rewarding birthday present to myself. I challenge everyone to accept the Birhtday Challenge and reward yourself too.
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