New Toy

This weekend was busy! Saturday at 7AM I was 0.5 miles from my house at BlueMile getting ready to head out with a large group for a 45 minute run. More on that in a minute. After the run, I taught swim lessons to 2 little boys, then I rushed home, cleaned/spiffed up, and went to my friend's bridal shower. About 2 hours or so later, I was on my way home to relax.

Sunday I taught lessons again (before church, mind you) and rushed home to get ready for church. Church was wonderful. Then I spent a while configuring my new toy (again, more on this in just a second) before heading out for my run. In the evening, we drove downtown to celebrate Alex's dad's birthday. Alex grilled hamburgers (he's a master griller/cook) and Alex's mom made salad, potato salad, and corn on the cobb. I am blessed to have found such a loving family to call my own through marriage, but the fact that they can all cook is beyond amazing. When it comes to meal time at the Frist's, I feel like I bring nothing to the table. They accept me anyway :) There were lemon coconut cupcakes in the mix as well. It was a great food night!

So the runs:

Saturday I went with the group from BlueMile (I should mention that BlueMile is a running store in Broad Ripple and a few other locations). The schedule was for Monumental Runners to do 45 minutes. To me, that's 22:30 out and 22:30 back. I started the run and really no one clung to me as a partner. I didn't cling to anyone to run with either. It all happened so fast. I passed the majority of the runners and a few took off in what looked like a dead sprint and I was unable to catch them. So, again, I was by myself. I thought the group run would yield me a training friend. It did not. About 15 minutes in, I was ok with being alone, the run was feeling great and I was moving forward. There was a girl who I had seen at the shop before we left about 50 feet in front of me...I was closing on her. Here's where it gets silly. A feeling that was lost deep inside of me began to stir. It was my competitive side waking up from its long slumber. I sank a metaphorical hook in her back and reeled her in. Of course, when I passed her, I was as nonchalant as all get out, but on the inside I was filling up with adrenaline...

Time out. I was on a training run. Why in the world was I getting so worked up about passing this one girl? I felt silly, but I felt good at the same time. When I do something, I want to do it right. All I have to say is: ladies running the monumental half marathon better watch out (guys, I'll be after you too).

Back to the run...the adrenaline carried me for a short time and then it was gone. I had probably taken the entire run out too fast and then the spike in speed from my adrenaline rush pushed me harder. This left me pretty worn out and only half way done with the run. I turned around (with no one) and headed back to BlueMile, back towards my house. It was slower than the first half, but I felt ok. I passed a lot of people going the opposite way. No one caught up to me and no one was in front of me to catch all the way back. Being motivated to get up and run at 7AM is worth it though, I will continue to run with the BlueMile group on Saturday mornings!

Before getting to Sunday's run, I better tell you about my new toy...a Garmin Forerunner 410! Alex and I got it Saturday afternoon. I had been looking at them for a couple weeks, investigating the different options, features, and reviews. Unwilling to pay $400 for the 610, I wound up on the 410. I wish the 110 had current pace. If it did, I would have gotten that. Configuring it was easy...I'll post a full review after I use it for a week or two...

Sunday I set out with my new running mate (Garmin) and hit the trail for 4 miles. I was interested to see how accurate it was (based on what Google Maps said the mile markers were). It was pretty darn close. The Garmin would beep to tell me when I had gone 1 mile according to it - awesome. At that instant, I can see how long it took to complete that mile :) Mile 1 = 8:12 :):):) The times went up slightly from there and landed ultimately at 34:34 for 4. I will be including Garmin in every subsequent post I do believe.

This is a lot, that's all for now! Writing a much shorter post about Monday's run in a little bit!