I have run on my own most of my life, but in the last few years I have found great friendship and therapy in my running friends. I am enjoying the last few morning runs with Amanda and I will be sad when she's moved away. Regular friendships are just not as durable, flexible, single minded, reliable, punctual, and consistant as a running good partnership. She pointed out a mutual friend in our neighborhood who might be looking for a training parnter (also training for St. George). I actually enjoy being on my own more than I enjoy running with others, generally. But this will be sad for me to give up Amanda who could run with me in the dead of winter, on packed ice, in pitch blackness--without a word of complaint or a single excuse. It's that kind of toughness that wins my respect, and is so hard to find in a friend. So I'm giving up my goal this week of doing extra mileage in exchange for that last bit of 'road therapy.' It rained lightly today. The air was heavy with moisture, and everything was green and fragrant. It was truly a gift to be outside this morning. | 