Ahhh, what a beautiful morning! I was tired, but once I got going with the wonderful, amazing and pleasant company along for the run, I forgot all about being tired. Maybe having a nap on that skateboard that was tied to Smooth's waist for a few miles helped too. Smooth, Annette, Karen, Dr Smith and David came along. Dr Smith (The dentist Annette works with as a hygenist) and David saw us as we were just leaving the parking lot. We invited them to come along with us. Small world - they live in Smooth and Karen's neighborhood...so basically everyone had a connection to them but me. Well, except that I'm related to Annette. Does that count? :) We had a wonderfully pleasant run chatting back and forth about different topics to the lake and back. At Willow park on the return Smooth and I took a side trip to throw away trash in a dumpster and ended up a little bit behind the others. So, when we got back just shy of 14 miles (all the others wanted for the day) they went ahead to just finish up and Smooth and I grabbed a drink with Karen then headed off for our last 5ish miles. When we passed them on their way back we tried to convince them to go a few more, but only David took the bait. Brave man! Furthest he has ever run. Both the boys are training for their first full down in SGM. Karen, Smooth and I wound our way around the construction and went North. It has been SO long since I've been North, I really miss that trail. I'm glad I got to do a little bit of it today. I was ready to be done around 15 miles, when we were done at 18 it took me a while to figure out we weren't just at 17! I could've gone for 20, but I stopped - sticking with the plan and trying not to get injured. We had a nice 1/4ish mile walk back to the cars and that always helps my legs recover better! We stretched and chatted like stink bugs (with our butts in the air to get the hammy's good) and then took off for home. PERFECT long run morning! AP: 9:16 splits: 9:35, 9:31, 8:46, 8:58, 8:55, 9:04, 9:28, 9:18, 9:04, 9:04, 9:13, 9:06, 9:18, 9:32, 9:26, 9:31, 9:37, 9:27. So, the AP wasn't the greatest and we slowed at the end, but the fact that I felt good means more to me than pace right now! There were some splits in the 8's :) On the way home I got to thinking about a tri later this month I was thinking about doing with my daughter. Since I was feeling so good, I called her and asked if she wanted to do a bike/run practice with me. She was ready when I got home! Off we went...1.5 on the bike to get Lucy out a bit, then 5 miles (what she will do at the tri) on the bike (total of 6.5), then we ran 1 mile (she will do 1.7). It was slow and she was whiny, but I tried to encourage her through it. She finished almost happy and I think now feels pretty accomplished. I loved spending some time with her out there on the road. I only have 8-10ish years left until she leaves me for good...gotta make the best of it!!! So, I really ran 19 miles today, but I'm not counting the last one with Lauren. It was just too fun to count :) Next week we're going to try the full 1.7!!
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