Group Runs are Fun

Saturday I found the courage to go meet my cousin at Sole Sports at 6am for a group run. She wanted to run 12 miles and said she would run with my for my 25mins and take off with the group.

I arrived at 5:55am and there were about 30 people already there. I sat in the car for a second because I was worried about bringing my fanny pack water thingy but I noticed a few people who were getting out of their cars with theres and immediately felt good about bringing mine and relieved at the same time. If I didnt have my water bottle full of Heed I probably wouldnt make it.

I got out of the car hoping to see Barb and I kind of hid out observing all of the people. They ranged from young to old to fit to not so fit to tired to super enthusiastic stretching guys. I found it pretty cool that the store was open and they provided water jugs for us to fill our bottles, allowed anyone to keep their keys etc at the counter and they have showers for anyone to use free of charge.

I waited for a few minutes and there she was- My cousin Barb.. I saw her and said "surprise" we both said we didnt sleep the night before because if we have something going on in the morning, we cant fall asleep.

Anyway we didnt have time to chit chat as a guy announced that they were leaving so Barb put her keys at the counter and we were off. We started running and the group went ahead but I think I was going at a good pace because I was hurting right away. That hurt soon passed as we reached the canal and began running on the trails. We talked, well Barb talked more because I cant do both yet and the time really went by fast.

We hit the 25min mark and ran a few more to get to a place I could turn around AND to my surprise Barb said she would run back with me the 25min and then turn around again and finish off her 12mile run by herself.
That was so sweet and nice, I think she secretly knew I would have walked if she didnt go with me and she was right! BUT as I turned the corner, I continued to run without my huge supporter. I will admit, I did stop and walked a little until some of the people from the group started passing me and I couldn't allow that.

So I am proud to say I ran 57min- 512Kcals and approx 4.9 miles with a group!

I will agree the group runs are much easier and will probalby do them every saturday from here on out because when I went today it was a total mind game again, but I was able to log 42:11 and 440Kcals burned.
Im assuming I did not do an 11min mile so I only probably ran 3 or so miles. Still good in my mind

Tomorrow I leave for Asia for 12 days. I do have my schedule all mapped out and ready to follow. It will all depend on the Jet lag, schedule of events and how I feel. -Wish me luck!

I will keep you posted!