Running: 17 June 2010 - 3+

Backed by Coach's "soothing" reminder that I need to think like the Little Engine That Could, I hit the streets at 6:14 am.  Coach was recommending an easy 4 miles and just between you and me, IMHO there ain't nothing easy about 4 miles - yet.  Today though, I really didn't have a plan or route or anything.  So off I went, thunder on the horizon...

I decided as I made my first turn that I would run part of my walking route.  This took me from Lane to 4th Ave to Mills to 8th Ave and around the new housing area on the West side of town.  Once back on 8th Ave, I headed South to Jefferson. This part of the route I found out later was 1.5 miles - good to know.  At that 1.5 mile mark, I made the decision to keep going South to Summit and back East to 1st Ave to head home.  Admittedly, I did walk...a bit...exactly across 1 street.  That was when I heard Coach tell me to keep moving.  "I think I can, I think I can....blah, blah, blah...."

The urge to walk was strong.  Coach was stronger.  I kept running...all the way home.  Whee, whee, whee...all the way home.  So, 27:31 after I had started, I was home.  I cooled down a little, jumped in the car, reset the odometer and traced my route.  3.1 miles!  A 5k! OMG, I thought...I did it.  Pulse: 172; 12 minutes later: 124.

See ya on the streets, kiddies....I'll be the one sounding like he's gasping for air while my shoes slap the pavement.  I'm gonna go pop a couple Ibuprofin and take Friday off....maybe...

Thanks Coach...