Fall is the best for running

Perfect day to run.

Sure hope the half marathon is on a day like today. One more long training run at 11 miles to go!

Long Run Friday - Half Training

Wasn't sure I could do it, but I did.  Then came home and signed up for a couple more races.  Nothing like a good long run to make you feel invincible!

 I really love that feeling after a long run - tired, sore, spent.  The endorphins really show up after a good run. Probably the farthest I've run since the 15k I did in February.

The Chase

The Chase is a local 5k that raises funds for Heartstrings, an organization to promote awareness and support for those who have lost babies.  It is in memory of little Chase Ruffner, who passed away during his nap time from SIDS, at 4 1/2 months old.  So sad. I made a quilt for his parents from his little clothes.  Anyway, I try to do this race every year. This was the 4th year.  It is a small race.  Very small this year at only 27 5k runners, and about that many who did the 1 mile remembrance walk.

 I'm thrilled that I have a friend close to my age who has started doing some races (next to me in the orange hat).  She is a couple of years younger than me and faster, but I don't mind.  She won grandmasters and me, three minutes behind her,  took first in my age group 55-59.  My other friend there, #4141, is a good runner. She was about 4 minutes ahead of me and won her age group 35-39.

Plodding along.  Just thankful I can run, even if it is slow.  It makes it worth it to bring home a medal, even when there were no competitors in my age group.

The hubby said the big bowl of soup and chocolate cake for lunch hurt my performance.  This was an afternoon race.  I guess he was right.  It was tough, and one of my slower 5ks.  If it hadn't been for my young runner friend, who came back to run the end with me, I probably would have walked even more!  But I'll keep at it.  I love to eat too much to stop!

...so it was a fun but tough day and all three of us brought home a medal!