Come on, runs...

After nine days that included a lovely Florida visit with the dude's family and a visit to Harry Potter land (that would be Islands of Adventure in Orlando, not the UK), I returned to running last night.  It was not as horrible as I suspected it would be.  I was so worried that I had lost much of what I had gained with the running lately.  Yay!  Seems I can recover from time off pretty well.

While we were in sunny Florida I registered for the Soaring Wings Half Marathon.  My first.  Word on the street is it's a good one.  Hoping many of my running buddies are running it as well.  Official training starts in mid July.  Woo hoo!  If I keep registering for races, I'll keep running.  Right???  

Race experience... and more!

So, the race went... okay.  It was hot.  It was early.  My bib number was "1."   It was amusing.  Many people commented about me being #1.  Silly strangers!  Haha!  I knew that I shouldn't start out fast, as it was a longer race than I had done so far.  I didn't start out too fast!  Yay me!  Ran a good portion of the way with a great running partner, the new president of the local running group.  She made it so much easier!  Talking was good.  Awhile into it she circled back to run with another runner, and I was on my own.  It was tough!  It was sooo hot and sunny, and there was no breeze.  But I got through, kicked it up a notch toward the very end, and finished in 52:30.  Woo hoo!  First 8K under my belt, and hey, it's a PR!  Haha!

This morning will have been a week since the race.  Got up early and ran 7.22 miles with a great group of people, including the above mentioned prez.  I really enjoyed it.  It was the longest run I've done since last summer and it felt pretty good.  Afterward, we went out for a well deserved breakfast.  It was super happy fun time! 

I'm really feeling that I can make a commitment to run more.  I want to improve my time, and I realize that the only way to do that is by running more.  Time to make it a real habit!  Wish me luck!