Musings & Monday

1. So, sit back and try to handle this, OK, because, I'm pretty much going to ramble about my first ever 20 miler (!!!!!!) because it's my blog and because I want to brag. I really am a grown up, I swear.
2. Last week I kicked my own ass and ran the most painful 18.31 miles of my life. I had 20 on the calendar, but, was exhausted and even rested my forehead on my steering wheel when I got to our running meet up location--I was just not feeling it. But, I really wanted to. I had told everyone I was doing it, so, I knew I would be super mad at myself if I didn't at least try. So, I did. I decided I had to do 18 because I had done a relatively easy (and by 'easy' I mean I didn't want to die) 18 miles two weeks before, so, I had to pass that. Once I got to 18, I decided to see how far it was from our stopping point to my car (.31 miles) and that was that. I plopped myself into my car, got home and spent the entire day on the sofa because I could not freaking move. Awesome. It was really, really painful and emotionally draining.
3. Needless to say, I was super scared about 20 this week. I felt better this week, despite a cold from hell (still sick, btw, awesome) and did manage to maintain some speed on my mid week runs (I've gotten super slow since my injury--lame!). Friday night, I prepped all my gear and was ready to run (also, reminding myself that in a few short weeks, it would all be over--for at least a week or two!).
4. It was a cold morning, and with the TX/OU game looming on the 11 AM horizon (seriously?) I knew I'd be all alone to run the additional miles.
5. Until my fabulous friend stepped up to the plate and ran with me--missing the kickoff of the game (to which she had tickets). She's running the New York Marathon and was supposed to be in taper and only doing 15--she's my hero. Could not have done it without her.
6. Well, her and the fact that somewhere along the line, I told the rest of my running group that I was going for 20--they kept encouraging me when I got tired and I was constantly bombarded with "you will totally kick your marathons ass!" "you'll rock those 20 miles today!". I can't say enough how great it has been to run with a group of people. Yes, sometimes I just want to run and do my own thing (which I've done several times during training), but, knowing that they'll wonder where I am if I don't show, and knowing that I have people pulling me up--it just makes the whole thing so much easier.
7. And then I finished 20 miles, my Garmin beeped and we happily hobbled back to our cars--where I made a teary call to my husband (happy tears) who was camping. I ran 20 miles!!! What the heck?! Cloud 9 I tell you, cloud 9.
8. And then I spent the afternoon walking around the mall with two of my favorite people and then proceeded to not cook dinner (take out Chipotle!).
9. Fabulous weekend.
10. I can't wait to tackle my next 20 miler this weekend--even if I am nursing a semi puffy ankle and sore knee.
11. Took my Ella Mae pup for a walk yesterday afternoon and met some of our neighbors (um, we've lived here a year). Ella met another beagle and we played with him for about 20 minutes. Don't worry, Winston, they're just friends :)
12. Wore a cute new skirt yesterday--always makes me happy.
13. Excited to do a short recovery run at lunch today. Woot!

(um, my life revolves around running)

What fun and fabulous thing did you do this weekend?