Final 4 and Fastest 3

Yesterday I ran my third 4-miler for the week. I accomplished my goal! It was tough, especially since I was on call. But I hooked my pager on my belt and off I went! And it was GREAT! I went the whole 4 miles without stopping. And it was POURING with rain! Did you see the rain on Sunday? I almost didn't go. But there I was, standing under the cover of the hospital parking garage in my running shoes, staring at the puddle in the middle of the road that is so deep it is coming up over the curb and onto the sidewalk, thinking to myself, "If I don't go, I'll be really upset with myself at about 8:00 tonight."

The puddle was so large that it had attracted a crowd watching the enormous tidal wave that shot up about 15 feet every time a car drove by. I waited until there were no cars, then braved the puddle. And after I took the first ten steps out into the rain, it was smooth sailing from there. In fact, it was quite refreshing. After a while, I didn't even notice the rain. Good thing I didn't melt.

Tonight I went for a shorter run, only 3 miles (only! Three weeks ago I would have been completely amazed with myself if I ran 3 miles). But I felt on top of it today, so I decided to push myself. and I set a personal record! I ran 3.2 miles in 29:45. That's well under 10 minutes/mile! The best time I had done before that was 10:15 per mile. It is a huge boost in confidence to see that I am able to run stronger, longer and faster. Who knew! It really jazzed me up, and I'm excited to see if I can run a 4-miler at a faster pace as well. Shamrock run, here I come!!! MWA HA HA HAAAAA!