Ask Me What I Just Did

Don’t ask me, I’ll tell you anyway.  I just ran EIGHT miles.  This is the longest run in the 10k training program I’m about to finish and the longest I’ve run in my entire life.  The race is next Saturday.  Honestly, I can’t believe I just ran 8 miles when a mere 2 months ago I struggled to run just 1 mile outside and didn’t run at all before the end of June.  I’m still in disbelief.  The weather today was awesome for running and I’m sure it helped A LOT.  I ran pretty effortlessly and while I could have pushed and gone faster, I didn’t want to burn myself out before I could finish.  It was my first time running 8 miles so I needed to pace myself.  Even so, I ran about 2 to 3 minutes (per mile) faster than what I should have according to my first 5k pace.  I’ve come a long way since that 5k.

I had to stop running briefly twice because I was chased by two enormous, vicious dogs.  One of them had escaped, I assume, from its house.  It was German Shepherd and I’m sure it was taller than me if it had stood on its hind legs.  Thankfully a good samaritan (the man living next door to the house with the dog) shushed the dog away and I was able to continue running.  The second incident was on the other side of the community.  A man was walking his pit bull (which are illegal in this county) with out a freaking leash. I didn’t see the dog until I had already turned into the street and again, it chased me.  All the man could say was “I’m sorry” as I stood there, petrified, crossing all my fingers and toes that the dog wouldn’t bite me.  In both instances I thought it was probably best if I stopped rather than try to outrun the dogs.

As for the run itself, it was great.  The first mile is always hard, mentally, but I just found my stride after a while and got into it. It was mentally challenging at times but I think that’s because I run around my community and during long runs, I just lap around the place over and over again.  It gets old.  I need a change of scenery.

On a similar note, I took my measurements a couple of days ago. I have lost a total of 6.5 inches or so since the end of July and my legs, at least, are looking more toned.  I’m ecstatic.  Jillian Michaels would be proud  :::gigglesnort:::