I had the greatest run ever! I feel so triumphant....for so long I have been dragging around this dead horse, and this week makes me feel like I might finally be able to bury it in the ground. The meds they gave me are working miracles for me. I knew it was the Halloween Half on the trail, so I wore my shirt from '09 (with the skull with angel wings) As I ran the opposite direction of the course I saw Josse and Walter. I turned around at the water fountain and was in about the 2:20 finishing group when I saw a kid struggling. He looked the age of my son. I was feeling stronger than he looked so I slowed down a bit and asked if he wanted a 'pacer' he said 'sure' and picked up his pace a bit. He said it was his first half marathon, he was only in the 5th grade (but he was as big as my 8th grader), he was from Heber and both his parents are big time marathoners (of course). Anyway, I got him through the last 2 miles of the course at a 9:15 pace (faster even than his original pace). When we turned the corner and hit the last .1 I pointed to the finish and said "go for it kid." He smiled and took off reeling in about 15 people in front. Then I peeled off just before the finish and immediately turned around and ran back to the bike trail. But I was elated, running with him gave me such a great feeling. Who knows what that kid really thought about my running with him, but it made all the difference for me to think I was "helping". It made me run faster and stronger than I have in a long time--and it was easy. It gave me so much good energy, I ran the remaining 2.5 miles home with a perma-smile. I even ran up the hill ! I am so grateful for finally getting ahead and feeling stronger every day. Also, I've officially gained and lost 13 pounds. People said I looked good fatter (my face primarily, rounder and fuller)--but I didn't like it. I didn't feel good about myself and my clothes didn't fit. So I'm back to my old weight (well within 5 pounds) and feeling a little bit more like my old self. Also--the weather today was spectacular. What a great day! | 