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Friday, June 24, 2011

Damn It Feels Good to Be a Runner

This has nothing to do with anything in this post, but the sign cracks me up.
Kohala Coast, Hawai'i - Queen K Highway

So, where was I going here?  Oh yes, today rocks! 

Earlier in the week, as we considered our long run for the weekend, Geof suggested maybe we try to do our long run on Friday (today) before work so that we wouldn't have to worry about squeezing it in this weekend (which is packed to the gills with fun stuff already!).  At first I thought, "what a crappy idea, I'll be tired all day!"  But that only lasted two seconds.  My next thought, out loud, was, "okay!"  And so the dream was born.

Geof said to sit on it.

I sat on it, and come Thursday evening after a late night of homemade (read: from the can) Sloppy Joes, baked beans and 'tater salad with the Moffetts, I still wanted to get up at the buttcrack of dawn the next day and bang out a solid 15+ miles.  You know, to start the weekend off right.  Plus, there was no way I was going to let myself slack off anymore and dip below my goal of at least 40mpw each week for my base.  I had in mind to do 15-18 miles, then do an easy shorter run over the weekend to round out the mileage :)

Mission: accomplished.

I think Geof thought I was either blowing smoke up his tush, or that I would change my mind.  I did not change my mind :)  He was a great sport!  We rolled out of bed and were out the door for our run before 5:45.  Perfect timing.  The weather was great for a longer run (cloudy, cool, a little breeze) and we each carried a bottle.  I should note here that I don't recommend Sloppy Joes the night before a long run.  It makes getting out the door quickly a little...difficult.  The Serious Case of the Runs household was living up to its name ;-) 

There were a ton of cyclists out already, but only a few runners.  We followed our favorite route and took in the really awesome views of the city.  Geof was commenting on how sharp everything looked...it was such cool lighting and made everything look a little surreal.  Our lack of sleep?  Too many Sloppy Joes?  Not enough Coors Light the night before ;)?  I'm guessing it had to do with the clouds and the fact that it was so freakin' early :)

We cranked it out a little faster than last weeks long run, this time in an 8:14 pace, covering just shy of 16 miles.  My legs feel it as I sit here typing it...and I love it.  The last couple of miles my legs felt like lead pipes, in cement.  Mmmm.

I've never done a long run NOT on the weekend, and certainly not before work.  And you know what? I kinda like it.

This weekend is Geof's highschool reunion...I won't say what year reunion it is, he can tell you that :)...and we are both really looking forward to it!  We are also really looking forward to stalking all Western States 100 feeds, following those getting to run the race.  It's going to be a beast of a competition up front, which makes for very entertaining "viewing" for those of us at home.  Can't wait!

Man, I need a good stretch right now!

Damn it feels good to be a runner.
Paige, out.

3 comments:

Generation X (Slomohusky) said...

one can never have too many sloppy joes.

waking up early for the long run is all i have this time of year in the desert heat. i will be up at 3:30 AM for my 15 plus mile run for the week.

cheers!

Stacy said...

Sounds like someone has a case of the Fridays! Thanks for putting that song in my head. Seriously.

Paige said...

Whoa, 3:00 a.m. @GenX?! I've only done that for races :) Good on you, and enjoy!

@Stacy, my pleasure. I love that song, mostly because of the Office Space scene. I wanted to link to a YouTube clip of that scene, but it has been removed :( Happy Friday!

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