Monday - 3/9/10

So this morning I awoke in sunny, beautiful Palm Beach Gardens with a bit of a sense of dread, but also contentment. It was my last of 4 days with my familly at Cardinals Spring Training, one of my most favorite times of the year. But it was my last day and I always have a hard time saying goodbye to my family, especially when we've had so much fun relaxing and enjoying the sun, pool and baseball. But all good things must come to an end!
I had a bowl of cereal and then told myself that I would run at least 5.5 miles today, since I haven't done many longer runs since the fall, I'm slowly building back up on my mileage. I was getting ready to leave when Charlie (my older brother) says "what, you're not going to wait for me?" I thought, "oh great, now I'm going to die". But I'm always up for running with Charlie and as I'm getting better, he keeps pushing me harder and harder. So we set out, running on the beautiful golf cart path, already it was at least 65 degrees, no wind. We started at about a 7:25 pace, for our warm up mile! Last summer, the 1/2 marathon I ran, I was in pretty good fitness levels and I averaged 7:28 minute miles, after tapering and training for 2 months.... Ugh, will I make it?? As we got closer to 2.75 miles, I asked him how far he wanted to go, knowing if he said "7" there was no way I could not do it with him, but wondering how I would do it. Fortunately he said, how about we turn back at 3 miles? Sure!!
As the miles ticked off, we kept getting faster and faster, but never was I uncomfortable, which was quite a surprise to me since I have been doing a lot of speed training and intervals, but have only run 6+ miles on the treadmill during a speed ladder twice this winter. When I have been doing steady state runs of 4-5 miles, I am training around 7:45-7:25 for my fastest miles, and here I am doing my 1st mile at 7:25?? Sometimes I wonder about my sanity.
Mile 1 - 7:25
Mile 2 - 7:17
Mile 3 - 7:13
Mile 4 - 7:03
Mile 5 - 6:57
Mile 6 (we saw my dad so we slowed down to say hi) - 7:17, we were on pace for a 6:50!!
Total time - 44:40

I did it! He's the best motivator and just about the only person I can run with and not be self-conscious about slowing him down. He's patient and not judgmental and although it wasn't a "slow" run for him, I know it wasn't his fastest 6 miles ever. But, it's great to have those people who will push you. Don't ever be afraid to run with someone you think is better/faster than you. Get out there and do it, you have to push yourself to get better and while I don't think every run you should push yourself this hard, it's great to do at least once a week if you can.
Happy Training All!