I Did It!!

Yup...I did it!  Actually, I did it twice!!  Before you start thinking that something positive actually happened in my social life...let me remind you - this is a RUNNING blog.  And what I did is RAN....10K.....in less than an hour!  The first time was a week ago...but sadly, I didn't have my laptop (getting repaired) and could not download my Garmin info..and it made blogging tricky too (could have still done it....but - obviously - I didn't).  So, that run a week ago...I finished 10K in 59:39!  But could not download my Garmin info as proof...and ran alone....so, really...you'll have  to take my word for it (or not - if you choose to be that way).

Having accomplished my goal, I planned to make yesterday's 10K a more relaxed run.  Was going to stick by Colleen the entire time and let her set the pace.  However, it turns out Colleen was going camping...and I was running alone again....  And as it would turn out...I can be very competitive with myself.  I got a late start...so considered doing just 8k instead.  Made a deal with myself that I would have to complete the first 4K in 24 minutes or less in order to get under an hour again...so if my time at the 4k mark was 25 minutes or more...I would turn around and just complete the 8.  However, at the 4k mark I was just over 24 minutes...and my second half tends to be faster than my first....so I continued on with hope that I could again get under an hour.  I kept track each km to make sure I was staying on track...and then got to km 9.  As always, the last km is the hardest.  My pace had begun to slow a little but I was determined to finish strong.  Something must have shown in my face (pain? determination? exhaustion) because all of a sudden people passing me at various places along that last km were cheering me on. "Way to go" "Good job" "Almost there" It was like I was in an "official" race.  I've had the occasional person make a comment along Rails to Trails before...but never before several people - in different groups...just when I needed it most.  What a great little community of people use the Rails to Trails!  And it worked!

Yup!  Even beat my time from the previous week!

Now the next run I do will be my first "official" training run for the half marathon.  Only 5k....but the start of something new.  Hopefully this will be something good for me to focus on - rather than using SO much energy focusing on what is missing from my life.

Of course, the best news of all this weekend....Kienan Hebert - the 3 year old abducted from his home was returned, unharmed.  Now, lets hope for his abductor's arrest so everyone in the East Kootenay can rest easy.