Patience; the new endurance sport.

I find Mondays to be the hardest run of the week.  My legs are usually dead for a few days after a Saturday long run.  But for some unknown reason, not today.  I saved my run for lunchtime, since it was so sunny outside (and I wanted to put as much distance between today and last Saturday's 19--especially because they were two 17+ Saturdays in a row).  But I got out there and jammed.  On Saturday had been talking to Sasha who suggested I run as fast as I can, until I can't anymore than slow it down for the remainder.  I ended up sort of farlkeking my run, but averaged 8:40's by the end.  And it felt great, which was a real surprize.  Besides which, it was gorgeous out.  Everything is tender green and the river extra wide today from the melting run off (all that snow in the mountains this weekend).  It should be an exciting month with all the run-off.  They were setting up the swim dock down at the youth camp.  I can't wait for the warmer days. 

9:04/8:53/8:45/8:57/9:13/9:43/9:08

9:09/9:23/9:41/9:03

Josse had the Garmin so I'm taking her word for whatever we did today.  I wore mine, but of course, forgot to set it.  I've been so good for a few days keeping track. A little more than half-way down the road, Brune picked up and ran with a 10 foot long stick in his mouth hoping we'd throw it for him.  It was funny how he carried it with his head held really high so he could balance it, it was huge, like a tightrope walker. Maybe one of these sub 9:00 runs I won't have to catch my breath so often. I hope the aerobic capacity continues to build in the months to come. It's been a problem since PT getting that back. Maybe a body never really gets comfortable being pushed, and can only do what it can do-- like a car. I apparantly run on a 1.0 liter/4 cylinder engine.

Marion and Maureen invited me along on their 18 miler.  I only needed 12 today, but went along for the company.  We rode up the canyon in a downpour, and within a few yards of the car, I was soaked.  Then the rain never stopped for 15 miles.  The girls had another 4-5 more to do when I got off the trail at home.  I hope the rain let up.  The good news is that running down the canyon was like being a participant in one of those esoteric Japanese ink / block prints.  The kind with fog hovering over craggy mountain tops and overflowing waterfalls.  The new green leaves and wet dark ground were lush and fresh.  It truly never stopped raining the whole run.  Aside from the Saint George Marathon this year, I have never run that far, in that much rain.  When I came inside my house, I literally dripped puddles onto the tile.  I had to put my running clothes into the sink to drain.  Running in weather is so exciting. But my hands were like giant red lobster claws by the time I was done.  I had to ask my kids to untie my shoelaces because my fingers wouldn't work.  When when I got into the tub, I couldn't tell if the water was freezing cold or scalding hot.  It was weird.  Overall, it was an easy run. It's nice when those 17-18 milers pay off and suddenly 14-15 seems like an 'easy' run.  And, it was awesome to have company.  Only, I never think to warn people that I'm crazy, and I never censor my speech/thoughts while I run.   Most people say 'running therapy'  but for me it's more like therapy while running.