I did it! I ran today!! Now before you start forming opinions or yelling at me because of my lapse in running (I know that is what you were thinking), I do have a rather good excuse for my laziness.  I actually had to go in Monday for a minor surgery on my throat (esophagus).  I was pretty out of it Monday and then didn't feel very well yesterday so I just got out this morning.  In all honesty, if I would not have know that the Heidi's (Heidi W and Heidi C) were waiting for me, I probably would not have gotten out of bed this morning either.  But after I was up and running, it felt so good to be out, so Thanks Heidi's.  We did the 5 mile square and then it was off to a usual morning.  I felt really good today and again, it was just so nice to be out.  Just a few short days until the marathon (17 to be exact).  Have a great "hump day".

Avg. Pace: 8:49 

Isn't consistency a beautiful thing.  I mean really I would rather know/assume what my day is going to be like over having surprises thrown at me all day (in less they are fun, exciting surprises of course :)).  The reason I start with that disclaimer today is because you are going to be so surprised what I did today......... are you ready....................... you sure.....................  I ran, the 5 mile square!!!!  I told you, I knew you would be surprised!!  In all actuality, this little 5 mile quare is a great route and feels more like 3 miles.  It is flat, one little gradual incline and then flat again.   You know how there are routes that you run on for 3 miles and it feels like it's been 10 miles (that is also the way it is for me on a treadmil), and then there are routes that are 10 miles and they feel like 5-6 miles. I felt good today, it was a beautiful morning, good route, and Heidi C and I went out again together, so add conversation to the mix and voila, a masterpiece!!

Thanks Ty for taking the early shift again so that I could go run this morning. I told you, I think I can get used to this schedule, really!!! 

Avg. Pace: 8:47.   Just 16 days until the Marathon, yipeeeee!!!

Wow, what a Friday(long story, I will spare you the details).  It is now 6:00pm, I am still at work and just posting my morning run.   Interesting enough that it has been almost exactly 12 hours since I started running.  Okay, I guess that wasn't all that intresting, but I just put the times together and at least feel it was worth mentioning.  Amazing how fast the hours in a day fly by :).  

Met Heidi C this morning and we did a new little route, incorporating part of the 5 miles quare, but threw a new little road in to liven things up a bit!!!  I felt really good this morning and am looking forward to my 15 miler tomorrow and then a pretty slow week next week because Tyler will be hunting.  The marathon is getting close!! Can't wait!

Avg. Pace: 8:50

This morning was a great confidence booster for me concerning the SGM.  I wanted to go out as strong as I could and try and maintain at least marathon pace, if not better for the entire run and guess what?........... I did it!!!  I did it, I did it, I did it did it (yes, I am now doing my victory dance).   I know I am probably celebrating something that I shouldn't even be celebrating, but let me share some thoughts that I had this morning during our run.  My main goal through this year of training has been to qualify for Boston at the SGM, but here is what I have come to realize.  Even if I do not qualify for Boston, I have already accomplished so much this year.  I have incorporated running into my daily life, I have met new friends (thanks to the blog) that have really set a great example to me.  I have made personal records at every distance of race I have ran this year: 5k, 10k and 1/2 marathon.  I have stayed injury free (for the most part), I have strengthened myself and maintained balance  at home and in my daily life (okay maybe not 100%).  I feel very thankful that I have been able to do all of that.  I feel very blessed to have a healthy  body and mind that allows me to have done all of that.  Life is great and so no more pressure on myself  about Boston, I am already a winner!!! 

Thanks Tyler for helping me out today and for keeping my breathing and pace in check.  Thanks for being so positive this morning and sacrificing your morning to stay with me during my 8 minute pace, when I am sure you wanted to be going at your 6 1/2- 7 minute pace.  Thanks for staying just that single step ahead of me so that I had something to chase, but most of all, thanks for the little bum slap (thanks to Marion and Michelle for this too :)) that kept me in check for the last few miles of the course today.  It was a great morning. 

Splits: 8:31, 8:08, 8:09, 8:05, 8:07, 8:02, 8:02, 8:09, 8:15, 8:09, 8:07, 7:59, 8:16, 8:03, 7:52.  Avg. Pace: 8:04