This is how it played out…I get a text from my friend and fellow 5K-er, Michelle, yesterday:
(my thoughts are in dark grey)
M: Ready for our run??? We should practice one day this week together…morning, night or lunch break doesn’t matter
Me: For sure!!…how about tomorrow morning? What time is good for you?
M: 6:30 am? (I am thinking, “sh*t that’s early!” LOL) We need to run where it is shady because I die in the direct sun – it is so freaking hot!!! (I am thinking – now she’s talking!!)
Me: Wanna go to the gym?
M: Treadmill? Sure but we should practice on pavement, no? (I am thinking how right she is and that outside means no little fans like on the treadmills – eek). I’m nervous – never did a 5K!!!
Me: I run and walk, and am in no way competitive lol… (hoping to calm any worries)
M: We can run in mine (neighborhood) – there is shade on the trails. I have been practicing! We could start at 7 if that is better. (I have many thoughts running through my head…shade on trails – YAY! I have been practicing – sh*t I have to get my butt in gear. Starting at 7 – perfecto)
This morning, I peeled myself out of bed, popped my contacts in, got dressed and headed out the door. I ate my really mushy banana (ewwwwwww), well I ate half of it. Once I got to Michelle’s, I started to get so much more into it. Seeing her excitement and drive helped me so much. We had a bit of coffee and then off we went. Her neighborhood is great for running…the trails are perfect – shady and smooth. It didn’t surprise me that Michelle was equipped with the Map My Run app and the Fit Radio app…I had no idea that either one of them existed!
Our run was actually delightful! We passed many beautiful yards, a lot of dogs, what I thought was an avocado tree (it was a mango tree), talked when we had the breath too, and all-around had a great time! Michelle and I kept a good pace and kidded around that we were a good team because we are both short and closer to the ground. The Map My Run app told us when we hit each milestone, which was a big help. At the end, we ran around the lake, and were heading back towards her house, so we checked the MMR app to see how much more we had to go – we were at 3.1 miles!!! We sprinted to her driveway and ended our run at 3.23 miles in 40 minutes.
I felt so accomplished! I could not have done it without Michelle – she was so motivating and a pleasure to be with!!
We are going to try and practice two more times this week – once at the gym and once on a night or early morning run. Also on our agenda this week – find the PERFECT breakfast place to gorge ourselves after the race. It’s ON!!
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