Sunday, February 10th, 2008 -

(Ran Saturday, February 9th, 2008 - )

Time: 2:00pm

Weather: about 35 degrees w/periodic drizzle -

Wore Sugoi, thigh socks, fleece sweat pants, ankle socks, sports bra, tank top -

Distance: 6 miles

Run Time: 1 hour 12 minutes
I ran six miles yesterday.

Wait, let me rephrase that.

I RAN 6 MILES YESTERDAY!!!!

On top of that, I was able to run for over an hour without stopping!!! If you had asked me just a few months ago if I was capable of that, I would have told you no - and then maybe hit you upside the head for asking. Just a gentle tap, but still.

Because six miles is a long way. And I never used to run.

My friend, Dynishal and I did two laps around the park - a full loop, and a modified loop. The second lap felt much better than the first. As always, the first lap involved about 30 minutes of struggle as my body sorted itself out - left ankle, left outer knee, back, etc. Breath got a little choppy taking the big hill on the first lap, and had to shorten my stride to get in back in line. The second lap started with a bit of a pause as I sorted out that right behind the knee cramp that I've now decided involves all three muscles that attach into the pes anserine. That cramp comes later and later in my runs as my cardiovascular and muscular respiration capacities improve. It passed early in the second lap, and we were sailing. At the end,I felt a little nausea and a bit of a side stitch, but they both worked themselves out, and I really felt light and good in my legs. Springy. My lungs really opened up in the second lap, and I realized that they have their warm-up period as well. I reached a Machine Moment in the second lap as well, where my legs seemed to be moving with metronomic regularity - my whole body unified in the act of running - effortless. Breath coming just right and on rhythm. Everything unconscious. It really does feel like flying.

Running with Dynishal is great. We're the same height, run at the same pace, we both take this seriously, and we're not too chatty. There's something about entering the focus zone with someone at your side...like a shared energy. Everything becomes more clear and easy. Like they're doing part of the work of running as well. I'm really glad to be training for this marathon with her. After yesterday, finishing a six mile run after two weeks off, and being unsure whether I could make a whole six miles - it's amazing to realize that I really felt like I could have kept going for at least another mile. I finished this session knowing that I can complete my 7 mile run next week, and that we can complete a 26.2 mile marathon with only having run 20 miles by that date. It all made perfect sense.

The only downside is that this whole low appetite thing meant I was running without quite enough food, and I was feeling light-headed by the end of the run. It was strange, because I really felt like I could have kept running. I'll have to start now with taking a little energy like sports gel, and maybe some water. I forgot to weigh myself before and after the run, so must get in the habit of that as well.

I can't wait to run tomorrow. Only three miles, so I can start to work a bit on my speed. Lucky day.