Chena River Run

I ran my 5K this morning and it was the most fun I've had on a run! That's because it's the first race I've done with friends. Since Saturday is usually my rest day, I figured I'd go slow. One of my friends wanted to do it too, but she didn't want to go alone and she didn't think she could run the whole thing. So I decided it would be more fun to stick with her than go faster and be alone. I told her I'd help her along and go "Jillian" on her if she wanted me to!

I am so proud of her and I had a great time being her pacer! She ran the whole time and didn't cuss me out at the end! She says she can't walk now, but between my pep talks and her stubbornness, she didn't quit. Nothing fast, finished in 35 minutes, but somehow I feel more gratified by this one than by my 30-minute one I did while pregnant.

The best part for me was that I was totally focused on her and our pace. I didn't think a bit about how I felt. We kicked it at the end and I felt like I could go another 3 miles. That is a big eye-opener for me. Now I know that everytime I want to quit on my training runs it's all mental and not physical.

I apparently didn't scare her off since she wants to come along with me on Monday on my 4.5-miler. I think I've also got two other ladies who will join me once school's out (our kindergarten schedules don't mesh). I've never been part of a running group. I'm so excited!