A Mile or More in My [Running] Shoes

…there ain’t no need to go outside.

Since I did my long run yesterday, I have had today to do whatever. I. want. That generally consisted of sleeping in, cleaning up my apartment, and doing/folding the obscene amount of laundry I had accumulated. To top it all off, I had a lovely little Skype date with my friend Woo. What a fitting end to my day/beginning of my week. 

I was just informed by one of my best friends that because she planned on being in Grand Rapids for the River Bank Run anyway, she thought she might as well run! She signed up for the 5k! I am so excited! 

So much to look forward to! 

*Does extremely necessary celebratory dance…*

This morning I met one of my best friends Rebecca for a training run in Central Park. Being that we’re both West Michigan girls, we both signed up to run the Fifth Third River Bank Run which is celebrating its 35th anniversary this May. This is a race that I grew up hearing about, and before I was a serious semi-serious runner, it was the only race I had any interest in running. It’s a 25k (the largest 25k road race in the country) that winds its way through Grand Rapids and along the Grand River. 

The race is a big deal in Grand Rapids and it’s not uncommon to overhear friends and neighbors checking in with one another on their training or clinics that they attended. Local businesses provide an unbelievable amount of support and charities turn out in droves to fundraise for their causes. I’m almost as excited to run this race as I am to run the NYC Marathon. The city is very proud of this race and running this race makes me feel like I’m finally a real Grand Rapidian (despite having spent most of my life there).

So, because Reb and I are running this race and because she had never run in Central Park before, we decided to get together to do our 10 miler this morning in Central Park. It was a bit chilly when we started but as we settled in it warmed up. The forecast and clouds overhead threatened rain, but it held off until about mile 8. 

Earlier this week I tweaked my groin when I slipped on a stick on my way up Harlem Hill. (I’m such a klutz.) I’ve spent every day since icing and hoping that it would heal quickly. Though I was a little apprehensive when we started today, it didn’t bother me at all until after the hills and even then it was only for half a mile. 

This was a really good run for me. It was so nice to run with Reb and chat. I hardly ever run with someone else, but I’ve found that my long runs are more bearable and go by much faster when I’ve got someone else right there with me. I feel like I have come into my own as a runner. I had myself convinced that the faster times I was posting were just a fluke, but I’m still managing to put together solid runs. I feel like I have learned when to rein myself in and when to let myself go to town. 

Now, I’m going to make dinner, which will amount to roughly the 5th meal I’ve eaten today. Long runs make me ravenous! 

I am a/an habitual over-packer… (So sue me…)

I always end up packing 4-5 more outfits than is really necessary. My first visit to Tampa was problematic because I had to pack for approximately 3 different climates, but this time, with multiple sporting events to attend, I find it extremely necessary to come prepared with each team’s respective apparel. 

On a completely separate note, I got to Skype and have a virtual beer with one of my best friends ever tonight. Woo, I love you. I’m so glad you were a part of my day today! Thank you for filling my life with lots of smiles, laughter, love and good times.