Ahhh, Summer!

Today's run:
6.06km
46:18
7:38 km/h
489 cal

When I left, it was already 15C and now it's 17C. Summer is finally here! This means that I have to come home from work and go to bed so that I can get up and run when it's cooler. It was warm out there this morning, but not too bad.

I'm sipping a refreshing soda and lime and then I'll be hitting the patio with my book (World Without End)! When that one's done, I've scored a paperback copy of The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest.

Summer's here and the livin' is easy!

Oops! Fogot to Mention

My friend Iris (the one who convinced me to run the trail run yesterday) was the top female in yesterday's marathon event! The race consists of a 16K, 29K and 42K.

Her courage, determination and sheer will power are a continual inspiration to me. Her goal this summer was to run at least one event from April to September. Her summer looked like this:

3 x 50km races
1 x 50 mile race
1 x 100km race

She ran the 42km yesterday and in two weeks is headed to Lethbridge to run the Lost Soul 100 km. I'm amazed by her strength and in awe of how she pushes her limits continuously.

In turn, she pushes me to test my limits.

I like it.

She spent most of last week sick on the couch (I thought I might have to take her to the hospital at one point) and ran an incredible race yesterday! She passed me when I was around the 10.5 or 11K mark, high-fived and bounded (yes, bounded) up the hill. I sped up, hoping that we might be able to finish sort of close together, but by the time I crested the same hill, she was gone!

I thought she said "I'm having a good run."

Apparently she said, "I'm so ready to be done."

Seeing her mid-course helped me to speed up for the challenging hills in the second half. I left the girl I was running with around the 12K mark and suddenly, I was all alone in the woods.

Silence.

Sun streamed through the canopy of leaves. My footsteps and breathing were all I could hear. It was incredible.

Peaceful.

Serene.

Three more marathoners passed me before I finished. I ran out of the trees into the parking lot and knew the finish line was close. I dug deep, channeled my inner Kenyan, and ran with all my heart.

I did it!

And I'd do it again.

Maybe not today (it's been rainy and gross all day, so I imagine that big bog at 4k is quite a bit boggier today than yesterday!). But I'll definitely run this trail again. And again.

Because I can.

Moose Mountain Trail Run

16K
A mountain
A trail (Telephone Loop)
Sunshine
75 people

2 hours, 28 minutes, 48 seconds and 1099 calories later, I finished the HARDEST 16K run I have ever done!

I wasn't last (not that it matters).

I LOVED it!

I feel great.

I finished strong.

I got the BEST race shirt EVER.

I won a door prize (great duffle bag equal to the price of registration, you can't beat that!).

The absolute BEST post-race food I have ever had: homemade veggie soup (garnished with fresh parsley and crushed ripple chips), buns, 'nanas, candy, chips, gatorade, did I mention the homemade soup?!

And I may have agreed to run 30K in Wyoming next summer....=)

Four for Friday

In Laura style:

1. Thank God (or whatever higher being you believe in) it's Friday!! One more evening shift and I'm done for a bit (Sept. 15, but who's counting?).

2. Alli is bringing the baby over for a visit this morning. Yaaay! I like babies, just not kids. It's weird, I know.

3. Gathering all my gear for my first trail run tomorrow! I'm a little freaked out, but excited at the same time. Laundry is in and now I just need to pack three different ensembles in preparation for whatever weather Mother Nature decides to throw at us. Bragg Creek weather can be very different than Calgary's, even though it's only a short drive away. That's what happens the closer you get to the mountains: the weather gets more erratic!

4. I saved the best for last! Down FOUR (count 'em, FOUR) pounds this week! It's amazing what happens when you really apply yourself versus half-assing it. I've been in Maintenance Mode for quite awhile, so I'm thrilled by this. Now I just need to take this momentum into next week, when I see my doctor. My main motivator is the marathon--running 42.2K even five pounds lighter will be easier (and hopefully faster), so each pound counts!