Autumnal Weekend

Finally. After a trying week of North Carolina weather - with temps hitting 87° on Tuesday and Wednesday - my efforts slogging through the runs in unseasonably hot, humid nights was rewarded with a beautiful fall weekend.

I ran The Usual 4 on Friday night, and James and I ate supper and went to bed early. Saturday morning we got up in the predawn darkness to drive to Athens, Georgia.

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In a few weeks, James will be beginning a position with James Greenhouses and our lives in North Carolina will draw to an unexpected close. As with so many things this year, I am startled by my wildly oscillating feelings. I am proud, nervous, hopeful, doubting, terrified, sad, and confused.

(Is this what happens as you grow older?)

Dear family and friends, please do not fret - this oft-wandering soul seems to just be struggling with the fact that she unknowingly began putting down roots.

Lucky for me, I have running shoes. And running is a wonderful balm for a weary soul.

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We managed to conduct our business quickly and decided to return to North Carolina last night so we could tackle our LSD runs this morning. James was due for another 20 mile run and two circuits in the neighborhoods seemed the easiest way to tackle this. After running the first half, he popped in for some Gatorade, a GU, and me.

We ran the loops again, in blissfully chilly winds and under overcast skies. Despite some knee pain, James soldiered on and finished his 20; I felt so good I decided to add a few more loops - why not run a half marathon on this first truly autumnal day?

I am very encouraged by my 9:25/mile average moving pace and even more so by clocking my last four miles at negative splits down to 9:08. I am not sore. I was not taxed during those miles. Richmond will not get the best of me this year.