Necessary Evil

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 466.7 (running: 322.4; walking: 20.5; biking: 123.8) Money Found For Food Bank: $38.34

2,015 in 2015 Change Hounds progress: Nancy: 466.7 Aaron: 288 (b: 260.4; w: 27.6)  Elly: 86.1 Total: 840.8*

* Average monthly mileage required to hit year-end goal: Completed!

Happy, happy FRIDAY!!

So, the other day, I left the house with my camera but no memory card. This morning, the card was in the camera, but the camera was at home. I didn't realize it 'til I arrived at my starting point. Whoopsie. It's probably for the better, though, because I later discovered a little hole in my pocket, a hole I know has been created by the camera and would have been mighty exacerbated by a 12-mile run. It looks like I have some darning to do especially when that's the second of three good pairs of running shorts I own that have such a hole.

Do you darn pockets? I know you darn socks. I also know this is a really antiquated word, but so what.

This run was tough. It was almost 20 degrees warmer this morning than any run I've done this calendar year. That in an of itself made it tough never mind the fact that I'm just ready to complete next weekend's Faux Girl and settle in for a long Winter's nap some extended rest! I love the run; I'm just due for some real rest!

But, before the rest are a few more miles in front of me. This morning's outing was reasonably successful although I took more walk breaks than I would normally consider. But, the 20-degree jump is not normal, and it has to be respected if I don't want to pass out en route. Which I don't. I even stopped in a pizza place about a mile and a half away from my finish to refill my water. It was just required.

I'm not normally a fan of the 11- and 12-mile training runs, and I've just come to expect there will be some feeling of ugh before-during-and/or-after. Well, wait ... never after! It's just a long way to go for ... well, I don't want to say 'for nothing,' but I have to admit it kind of feels that way! Thirteen miles rules because there has always been bling and treats after. Eleven and twelve? Necessary evils.

Apparently, I've narrowed my preferred long-run mileage down to 10, which is almost always just fine, and 13 because I get prizes. And, there you have it.

In excellent news today, I was about two-tenths of a mile from finishing when I heard the thunder rumble. I looked behind me, and there was clearly a storm going on a few miles back. The excellent part of this story is that I wasn't caught in it! In fact, the sun came right back out minutes later. But, just when I was going to show you this year's start of the post-run sitting spot on our deck, the thunder returned. So, currently, the sitting spot looks like this:

I know. I baby my pots. They can sit in the rain, but with the
storm predicted, well, I feel the need to protect them!

And, because the thunder is going and going and going, Elly looks like this:

"I'm trying to be brave, mommy. It's not working."

Today's run was not only successful for getting the miles covered, but it was also a good one because I hit the monthly mile goal to keep The Change Hounds on track for the end-of-the-year goal. I thought we were way behind and wouldn't hit it until the end of next week. But, it happened today. BAM. That, in and of itself, made this run a good one!

What keeps these runs going even when I'm just kind of tired is the very fact that there are multiple goals going on. 2,015 in 2015 Challenge. Half Marathon means I get bling. Finding money making this whole thing bigger than me. Sometimes it feels good. It's almost always fun. I feel awesome when I finish even if the run sucked. It's nice to have a variety of motivators to pick from on any given day. Different motivators for different days totally works! Keep yourself open to what works for you!

In the meantime, have a great slide into the weekend! I'll thoroughly enjoy mine while I sport my new shirt!! (Thanks again, Mary Kate!!!!)

Note the poor pooch behind me ...

I'll be checking in on tomorrow's Rest Day!