Good morning world!

Wed, April 13
Ran 5.05 miles outside with Nicki
Time: 55:45; Average Pace: 11'02"

So excited to run outside this morning...and with a friend to boot! I was supposed to run 50 minutes according to my schedule so I did a bit more today - yahoo! This marks my first "dark running" experience which I enjoyed doing with someone else. I'm not sure if I'd be confident enough to do it alone - at least not a route I hadn't run in the daylight first. Also, it is only the third time I've ever run with someone else. I really enjoyed the camaraderie running with her. We talked the whole time which made the time go really fast. I used my iPod just to track, but had one ear bud out so we could chat. I wasn't sure about the whole dark thing. And I'm still not really sure about it. I was sporting my new, and must I say, very attractive, reflective running vest from Target for safety purposes, but I was afraid I would trip and fall or not see a pothole, or whatever. But it worked out okay, especially with a partner. We ran a route that she knew around her house so it was new to me, but good. No injuries to report, happily!

I felt pretty good the entire time. I was not as tuned into my body running with someone else, which is good and bad, I guess. I felt badly because Nicki is faster than me by probably a minute, at least, but she was nice enough to go at my pace. With my calve situation I just don't want to push it right now. So, we went at my old lady pace!! I notice on my iPod tracking thing that I continue to get slower with every mile. I know that is something I should probably work on, but you know, right now, my goal is just to keep adding distance and finish that race on May 15. I figure I can work on that goal after I have this first one under my belt. First, does that mean there will be another?! Hmmmm...

It was cool to be outside. We saw a few deer and heard the birds chirping. We even ran into a few other runners. It is like this whole other world going on before most of the world gets up out of bed in the morning. Such a much better way to greet the morning than under bright florescent lights and bad 70's music playing! I hope to make this a regular thing!