In Good Company

This morning, for the first time ever, I went for a run with other people.

I joined up with the local running club for their Saturday morning run.

This is something I've wanted to do for a long time, but injuries and other circumstances (lack of babysitters) had prevented me from doing it.

But finally, finally, I got to experience the camaraderie of running with others, and it was as fun as I thought it would be.

I was actually really nervous on my way there. I didn't know how many people would be there, or how fast they'd be running. Running has always been a very solo endeavor for me - except for races - it's always just me and my iPod. And I like that, and I still want to keep some of my runs solo, but for the longer runs, the company is really nice to have. But I was nervous, since it was a very new experience for me. 

We met at the beach early in the morning, and including me, there were 7 of us. They were all planning on doing between 8 and 10 miles. I knew I only wanted to do 6, so I'd only be with them for a little while, but that was no big deal. I was more concerned with whether or not they were going to leave me in the dust....

I was pleasantly surprised to find that I was wrong about that. They ran right around an 8:30 pace, which was perfect for me. It was just challenging enough, but not so hard that I wasn't able to chat a little.

We took some back roads, and then headed out to the main drag that runs all along the ocean, and a few times ducked onto some trails that served as shortcuts - those were a nice little diversion.

I bid them goodbye and turned around just after the 3-mile mark and headed back by myself. I had thought about bringing my iPod, so that I could plug in and listen to some music for this alone portion of the run, but I decided not to, and I'm glad I didn't.

I definitely prefer running with music, but it was nice to run without it for a change, and just be alone with my thoughts and enjoy the beautiful morning. It was gorgeous, too - in the upper 30s, with a light dusting of snow on everything - and the sun was just coming out from behind the clouds as I finished up.

Total of 6 miles in just over 51 minutes. A great run, and a great first group run - and hopefully the first of many.

Jingle Bell 5K is tomorrow afternoon. I'm really looking forward to it. The weather looks ok - chilly, but not too cold. I'm not anticipating breaking my most recent PR of 24:46 (I fear I've set the bar a little too high!), but I'm hoping to come in right around that same time. The course is entirely on the beach, so it's flat as a pancake, but I never run on the sand, so it'll be interesting to see how I do.

This, by the way, is going to be another first - the first time in MONTHS that I've run two days in a row! The knee is holding up ok. Tiny bit of stiffness after the run this morning, but barely noticeable - and no pain at all while running.

I really think the knee issues were largely related to the worn-out sneakers, so I'm glad that's not an issue anymore. I'll definitely be taking Monday off, though - my knees, and the rest of me, will be glad for a break by then, I think.

After the race, I'll meet up with Scott and the boys, and we'll head over to the tree lighting and fireworks. They loved it last year, and I'm sure they will again this year.

We took them to see Santa again this morning. Scott's company held a "Cookies with Santa" event, and we went to it two years ago and it was really nice, so we figured we'd bring them to see the big guy a second time. This time Dante wouldn't even let us put him on Santa's lap - there was just no way he was going near him.

But Gabe - well, that was an entirely different story -

Comments

[Caroline]

Thanks for the comments, Michelle!

I miss Rhody. We're actually heading up for Christmas, and I can't WAIT to run in the cold weather!

[J~mom]

I am glad you have a group to run with. I am enjoying running with people more and more. When you find the right group that runs at the right pace it works out great! I hope your 5K goes great!