So like I mentioned in my
last blog I have been running 20 miles a week. I had read in Runner's World that it's a great idea to
run a slow, long run the day after Thanksgiving since it's a great carb-loaded meal. What a great idea! Why didn't I think to do this before? Then I soon realized that the day after Thanksgiving is Black Friday. I always go shopping on Black Friday and this year I set out at 10:30 pm and didn't arrive back home until 8:30 am. Obviously with such little rest, it would've been a bad idea to run a long run. Therefore, instead of running I slept until 1:30, went to parents for left overs and slept for another 2 hours. I awoke to find this picture, taken by my lovely sister, posted on facebook! I guess you could say I was tired. So I planned on running Saturday.
Well I had only run 9 miles by Saturday so I was due for an 11 mile run if I planned on reaching 20 miles for the week. I set out nice and slow planning to run 5 miles then stop back at my house for some sport jelly beans (from Leaha - thanks!) and water. After that I planned to run my normal 6 mile loop, thinking if I had to I could always call Brent for a ride home if it proved to be too much. I didn't have to call him and I ran as planned. As usual, I felt better than I expected. I probably felt my best around mile 7, which is amazing! I ended my run 11 miles later in 1:46:21 and I wasn't even sore the next day. I should mention here though, that my 4 mile run on Monday was pretty tough. This makes me realize that running really is a mental sport. If I am setting out to run 4 I will only run 4, but as you can read if I set out to run 11 I can run 11. It never ceases to amaze me what my body is capable of doing!
In case you were wondering, Black Friday wasn't even worth it. I will never go at midnight again. In previous years I always went in the morning and I made out much better. I did get a new laptop for $300 and Brent's gift for half the price, but other those I have nothing to show for all that time and loss of sleep.
As you can imagine running 11 miles gives me plenty of time to do some thinking. I spent this run thinking about the many things I have to be thankful. I must have thanked God 20 times for healing me and giving me the ability to run again. I also thanked him for blessing me with an amazing, loving husband, a caring, supportive family, and thoughtful, encouraging friends. I even thanked him for the blue skies, balmy weather, and the wind at my back - all perfect running conditions. I thanked him for a happy, healthy, fulfilling life and for being an amazing, loyal God who loves me through and through.
