Big Miles, Big Fun!

You know how many people get bouquets of flowers at the end of a race (especially if they win)? Apparently, I won again today!

Of course, that's the end of the story. Let's go back to today's beginning. It started at 5:50 a.m. (Ouch!!) Early, but check it out -- I actually scheduled in time to stretch this morning before hitting the road!! It's a miracle. See? I do learn! I know I dink around with a lot of aspects about running, but I most definitely am on board with making sure I stretch to proactively take care of myself before a double-digit run. There are plenty of times out there where something will twinge or poke or cramp, and I'd sure hate for that to happen and I get hurt when I might have been able to prevent it. Besides, I don't want to earn a doctor telling me my injury is due to my being stupid. I mean, really.

With stretching behind me (note to self for next week: I did a good job, but I could have done better. Do even more.), I headed out. Light was barely breaking, so early on, I saw this:

That, friends, is the moon. Big and bright. Why am I not in bed?

I also saw this as I was rounding out the first mile:

I totally see you, kitty ... kitties rule ...

My first mile is pretty twisty-turny. I do that on purpose on an out-and-back so when I get to the point where I turn myself around to my finish, there isn't as far to go as there was to get to the turn-around point. (Ah! Wise ...) Given it takes some time to twist through, I was only in my second mile when the light began to break. It's there I saw this:

Ahhh ...

... just so pretty ...

I do love me some morning color in the sky!! The color didn't last very long (one of those sunrises where you're glad you caught it), but that was okay because there were sights to see!! You just knew there would be:

I loved the bush of weeds. Don't these usually grow upright?
I thought so, but what do I know except that these were cool.

I thought finding a sandwich last week was
unique. I call snowman candle trumps sandwich.

Right after I passed the 4-mile mark, I realized last night's dinner was a total winner before a long run! It was simply a non-issue: It didn't mess up my plumming in any way (always a bonus); it didn't have a flavor that lingered from the depths (you know how garlic can still linger the next morning), and it didn't sit in my stomach in any way. It was great fuel and then went about it's business. Perfect.

And, because I started thinking about running fuel, I found myself getting all analytical about my run. I started thinking about my pace, strategies going down hills vs. up, how I felt the first time I ran four miles vs. how I felt right now, wondering if I should actually focus more on what I'm doing before the big run at the end of the month, etc. *SIGH* You know me, I don't really like spending a lot of time on stuff like that. Frankly, it's a total buzz-kill, but I let my mind stay there for the next 2 miles.

Soon after passing the 6-mile mark, I'd had enough. Too much analyzing, not enough just going. So, I literally told myself, "Shift your experience." Which I did. And, I was rewarded.

Look!

When not intrigued by me, this little one was hungry.

I didn't want to startle it, but I did need to move ... cool, though,
because then it would look at me. Cheese to the paparazzi!

Okay, I didn't cause that. A big truck passed and made a big
truck noise, so it was time for the deer to bolt. I watched until
it was into the woods which was cool because I saw it leap in
that I-wanna-be-Santa's-reindeer way!

Oh my gosh, there is no way I would have seen this little one if I hadn't shifted what I wanted out of this run. I know me, and I know that to be true. Frankly, the more I analyze, the more fault I find with what I'm doing anyway. And, that's just silly. Hence, changing my experience.

And, while I was having my little experience there on that stretch, someone else had an altogether different experience out there:

Cake! Seriously, that must have been an impulse buy after a
very late night, don'tcha think? I do.

I've also seen these all over the place lately (funny what finally getting a little rain will do for the nature scene!), and I love 'em!

Bold and beautiful.

I love their happy little faces!

And, as always hoped but never promised, bank:

Su-per-sweeeeeet! Almost a penny per mile in one fell swoop!

To be perfectly honest, one of the many reasons for choosing this route is because I saw a penny on its road on Friday, but I was in my car with cars behind me, so there was nothing I could do about it (you understand what that does to this girl ...). So, I was hoping to find it today. I know it was a long shot, but I'm a hopeful kind of person. I found no penny. I, instead, got the fake-out:

While the fake-out annoys me, it was a little fun to know I'd
piqued the curiosity of cars passing by as I investigated.

The fake-out and running out of water by mile 9 were both bummers. The water situation was okay safety-wise because it was in the lower 50s, and with only 2 miles remaining, I was fine. I also pass a gas station at that point, so had I been desperate, I had an option.

But, a total opposite of bummer was this scene when I was within about a tenth of a mile from my finish:

Hey! I know those people!!

How completely cool is that?! The whole crew came to meet me after having designed their morning outing to coincide with the time and place of my finish! Everyone was there!

Look close, and you can see Elly's tail
whipped all the way against her side! She
was very happy to have the whole family
together!

As noted up front, you might have noticed that PC#2 brought me flowers again!

Aaron asked me later if it was okay that everyone met me at my finish or if I would have rather had some time to regroup. He received a resounding, "It was fabulous having you all there!" response! I mean, how could this be resisted?!

I get the question, though. Years ago, I was far more self-concious about the after of a run. As I told him, I'm so over that, bring on the Crew!! As I told PC#3, who had all kinds of things to say because he loves to talk, I might not be good for the conversation at that point, but I'm great for the listening! And for the hand-holding!

The run itself was hard, I won't lie. But, it was also fun. That's why I can't delve into the details other runners enjoy; such things remove Nancy's enjoyment! And, since I found a way to slather the difficult with the fun, I've got myself a winning activity I can sustain!

See? I totally won!

There's the finished product! She kept picking
along the way to home. It's so pretty! I just
love it! Lucky, lucky me!!

See you after I moan and groan myself through tomorrow's morning run!