Miles 217-224: Running with Glenna

After yesterday's breakthrough run, today's long distance run was like a homecoming.

After yesterday's race, Glenna, who has recently committed to running her first half-marathon, asked if I was up for running 7-8 miles this morning, as her normal running partner and trainer was out of town.  I was hesitant, of course, having not run in several days, but ultimately, I agreed. I figured that running at a slower pace should allow for any concerns about riding too far after just getting back in the saddle.

We agreed that, given the recent onset of summer and rising temperatures, we needed to hit the road by no later than 7:30 to beat the heat. When I woke at 6:30 and felt my muscles groaning after yesterday's 5K, I figured I was in for a doozy. Thankfully, I had a lovely surprise waiting for me.

Glenna told me that she has been running between 11 and 11:30 minute miles. After letting our considerably faster husbands (her David being much like my James) take off for their conversational 9 minute/mile pace, we started under overcast skies and a blanket of humidity. The first few miles, we chatted about the passing houses and running and how fabulous she looked (having lost 30+ pounds in 8 months of running and all around healthy living) and then slowly stopped talking. The sun came out and the humidity rose. An hour slipped by and we rounded into the last stretch of the 7 mile route we had planned.

After sprinting to fetch a forgotten water bottle, I gasped, "Do you want to go for eight?" And Glenna said, "Yes, but let's slow down."

Rounding the last lap - so familiar to me at this point - in my neighborhood was extremely pleasurable to me. The speed didn't matter, because I knew what she was doing - she was running farther than she had ever run before - and was so proud to be a part of that moment.

Rounding a curve in my neighborhood, she evenly stated, "I'm done." I didn't argue.

And with that, she had finished 7.89 miles, without stopping.

We walked back to the house, letting our breathing even and our sweat cool, and I gave her a high-five.

"You did it, lady."

Miles 217-224: 90 minutes, 11:24 minute/mile, running with a friend.