Running McPhee or Workout #19 for June

If apps could talk... I am sure if my app could talk...well, more than it does already, when I pondered why Friday was the last time I would run an interval run (walking break) for Couch to 5k it would say something like this: "There is something you should understand about the way I work. When you need me but do not want me, then I must stay. When you want me but no longer need me, then I have to go."

After a good 6.2 run (week 6 day 2) run last Friday, a repeat of Wednesday, I decided I would run it one more time, to build confidence. I didn't blog it because life is life. Plus all I thought about saying is, "Did you know you can SEE pollen? Did you know it falls in WAVES from some trees?" Nothing good. Oh, and I was going to say that sometimes a road looks flat, but it's all uphills... That's about it.

So today I accidentally missed my alarm, forfeiting my golden opportunity to run before The Captain left for work, while the kids were asleep. My privilege today was running with three children. Hey, it takes a village to build a runner, right? The Captain decided I could run at night. I knew though, by nightfall, I would be plum-tuckered out. I had to find a solution.

My running partner (550 miles away), KNBO'R, was texting me about running, and over the conversation, I discovered I could haul Bear and Lambie and Peach to the school track, let Bear and Lambie run around in the field in the middle of the track, while I ran laps with Peach in the stroller.

PERFECT.

I told KNBO'R that I was going to be doing 6.2 again. She encouraged me not to, but to go ahead and run 6.3, 25 minutes straight (plus 5 minute warm up and 5 minute cool down). I thought... sure. It was time to cut the cord.

Concerned that I would focus too much on how many laps I was doing, I did something I read on a blog. I gathered a handful of clover flowers, and with each lap, I dropped one in the start spot. At the end I was able to count how many laps I did, and how many miles (2.25 exactly).

During my run I enjoyed watching my older children play with the dried, mowed grass, throw boomerangs, and blow bubbles. I saw how they work together so well to make "haystacks". And I got to enjoy Bear counting my laps loudly for me, and running along side me for about 30 feet each lap. I love my children.

It was hard to run on a track. Physically it was a dream come true. Mentally, well, there's no real goals, no scenery, just repeated laps. One thing I loved was, some time ago, when I learned a lap was a mere 1/4 of a mile, and I knew they had to be lying because it's soooooo long, I discovered it's actually not long at all. It's about 1/4 mile, I'd say. ;)

I also concocted an art project I'd like to do someday about treadmill runners, track runners, street runners, and trail runners. Yay for inspiration!

So how did the run go?

Well.... I had a handful of stops and starts. All very brief. But truly, it was as though I didn't need it. I would slow to a walk, feel the burn in my calves to keep going, and I would run again. I knew if I got beyond the burn, I would stop, and walk. I must indulge the springs in my legs!

My favorite thing about the entire run I discovered later. I read a few weeks ago that your breathing becomes accustomed to long distance running before your legs do, and that your legs do shortly thereafter. All this time, my breathing has been INTENSE at best. Today, I breathed just fine the whole time, even talking with my kids on my final stretch. It was only my legs that hurt. Sweet goodness, I'm getting stronger! All of me is getting stronger!

Wednesday is 7.1, and it will be terrific. And I have a solution to my little four person running team.

My motivation for today? Well, my friend WB formulated a 5k on the 4th of July, and while I may get last place, I'd like to run the distance. Very badly. Even if I'm not 100% ready.

No more breaks.

"When you need me but do not want me, then I must stay. When you want me but no longer need me, then I have to go...."