. . . on Saturday or Sunday at 7:00 a.m., you'll find they're either already out running or just about to head out the door" explains Hal Higdon in his Chapeter 10, Running Long - endurance is essential for success as a marthoner.

Well, I don't consider myself yet a distance runner or a marthoner, but I was out on Saturday at 7:00 a.m. in the frigid 27 degree teamperature on my way to the Orhopedic Clinic on Weisgarber Road to run what is long distance for me - 8 miles.  I was apprehensive about the distance beacuse I can't remember the last time I ran that far, if ever.  Though I do believe I did an 8 miler or two while running cross country on the 260th Military Intelligence cross country team while stationed with the Army at Ft. Huachuca Arizona in 1990. Our races were 10k distance. 

I was fortunate to have a faster runner, Michael Harvey from the Green team, agree to pace for me.  We started out well and hit the 3 mile turn around point a little faster than expected.  We were still conversing at that point.  We then went on to the 4 mile turn around for the 8-mile training marker and I sure started feeling it. I was questioning my decision to run 8 miles instead of the 6-mile option that some were running.  When I hit the 5 miles, I was moving very slowly. I felt bad for Michael because I know that he is capable of running so much faster but so grateful that he kept me going. I know had he not been running with me that I would have broken down and walked. Then I got a second wind on the 6th and 7th mile and ran the last mile so-so.  I was pleased with the overall time of 1hr 21 minutes - aprox. 10 min. miles.  That is about 30 seconds per mile faster than I have been running, and I attribute that to Michael's encouragement and pace setting. 

Today I ran the Reindeer 5k run in Maryville.  That was lots of fun, but it was cold and hilly.  I ran the first mile in 9:30 and hit the second mile marker at 19.12.  both less than 10 minute miles so I was thrilled.  Then the 3rd mile was quite a bit slower with lots of hills to end the run.  My finishing time was 32:03 which was a minute slower than my last 5k which was on flat groung. It was nice to have my husband and 3 of my kids at the finish line to cheer me home.

Bottom line: I am seeing impovement and that gives me a sense of accomplishment which is a good feeling.  I am feeling good and am getting the "me" time away that I need.  I also love the social aspect of seeing people I know and meeting other people at every event all with the same goal in mind - get out, get moving, get healthy!