Two years ago I ran in
my first race. The Redondo Beach Superbowl 10K. It was raining and windy, but I was committed to running so I went out and did it. It was then that I realized how fun a race could be and how fun it could be to run in the rain! Yesterday, two years later, I skipped the 10K and went for a nice 18 mile run. It wasn't raining hard, but enough of a sprinkle to keep me cool. I ran it in my best time ever and today I'm barely feeling sore! I was wishing that it was marathon day yesterday, because I was feeling like I could've kept going.
I've been thinking about how I just sort of jumped into this long distance running, out of the blue, and wondering what it is that I like about it. It's true that I like the sense of accomplishment, but more than that I like being outside and being on my own (or with Raven) for a little while. I know what my Saturday mornings are going to be like and I look forward to that time. My sister-in-law, Tina, was asking me what type of program I am following and if I am keeping track of my heart rate and all that. I tried that for the first marathon and found that I didn't think it was helping, so I stopped all the reading of books and searching for the best way to run. For me, I just needed to do what felt right. If my heart started beating too hard, I slowed down. If my knees started hurting, I ran less. This time around I am feeling pretty good. I don't want to jinx myself, but I think this L.A. marathon is going to be a lot of fun!
Here are a few shots from a 10 mile run that Raven and I went on a few weeks back. It's been different training this time of year rather than the summer. More rain and cold weather and I'm finding that it's easier to run in this weather.
Our normally dry creek bed in the background.
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If you look really close, you might see a rainbow.