I heart running.

It's true.  I really, really do.
Today I had a glorious run.  I hadn't slept well.  I left later than I planned.  It was pouring rain.  It even hailed a little.  It was awesome.  Really, really awesome.

I often have a hard time sticking to my planned pace, so this morning, before I left, I broke out the sharpie and wrote my simple plan on my hand:

I was heading to the local half marathon loop, minus a short out and back portion, to make an even 20K.  As I pulled out of the driveway, it was looking like it *might* rain, so I threw a longsleeve over my t-shirt, just in case.

As I started to run, it started to rain.  It wasn't too hard at first, and when the rain began, the breeze  died down so it wasn't too cold.  Despite having my goal pace written on my hand, I had a hard time sticking to it.  Still, I felt comfortable and was enjoying the run.  At about 4K, the rain started to pick up.  I thought it might die down again, and kept going.  At 5K, I just kept going.  At 6K, I was kinda enjoying the funny looks I was getting from people driving by.  I was soaked, but really wasn't too cold. 

At 7K, the rain wasn't dying down and I felt a few hail stones.  That was my limit.  I was also nearing the portion of the run where I would have to head down the highway, and though I was already soaked, getting splashed by big trucks zooming past didn't really appeal to me!  I took a quick break for a gel, one last look at the sky to confirm the rain wasn't going to let up any time soon, and turned away from the highway at my half marathon pace.

Once again, I had trouble hitting my pace accurately, but that's what this is for, right?  I was usually going too fast rather than too slow, and was surprised how good I felt after running the intervals yesterday.  It was really pouring, but I was really enjoying myself.  It was just one of those runs where everything felt right.

Just as I was nearing the crossroad where I would turn back to my car, the rain started to let up.  I knew I wasn't ready to finish yet.  I'd planned 20K, and if I went back now I'd only do 14.  So, instead of turning left to return to my car, I went right.  Going right meant a long steady climb up a slight hill.  This was great practice because looking at the race profile for the Half in Calgary, there will be one long steady climb for most of the race!  I did have to jump out of the way of a livestock truck that was coming towards me, but otherwise I just kept my pace steady right to the top. 

Because I'd been later leaving than I wanted to, it had been a while since breakfast, so as I turned around, I quickly took a second Gu.  Now I had the long, steady downhill to head back to the car, and I let myself speed up to a little faster than half marathon pace. I was cruising.  Oh, and did I mention that I was loving it?

When I was at 17K, I'd finished my 10K at HMP, but had a hard time getting back down to 6:40/km.  I was feeling so good.  The rain was picking up again, there were ducks and loons out on the lake, there was nobody on the road, and I was literally singing along to my iPod.  I was in the happy place.

That shirt was light blue before the run!

7K aiming for 6:40/km ~ Actual average pace:  6:23/km

10K aiming for 5:41/km ~ Actual average pace: 5:41/km (including 2 walks for Gu)

2K supposedly aiming for 6:40, but really not paying attention ~ Actual average pace:  5:54/km