Today it happened. My first unofficial 10k. I am so stunned. Who knew it would be today? I mean it started out like any normal run. I put on my 10 year old New Balance 803 All-terrains, pulled on a thrift-store t-shirt commemorating the 30th reunion of the Cazenovia High class of '71, and set out down the familiar sidewalk. The thought was maybe 4.2 maybe even push 5 today. But then the feeling hit about a quarter of the way into it. Maybe I could run the illustrious 6.2 (10k). My first thought was, Nah, that's too far. You've never run that far. Just stick to the 5. But as I kept running I started to feel like I could make the 10k. I was averaging under 8 minutes a mile and not feeling fatigued. So then I got determined. I am going to do it.
I knew the route I was on wasn't long enough so once I got back into the neighborhood, I just picked streets and started running down them. Got back to the main road, ran through parks, and finally ended at my house at exactly 6.3 miles. To be honest only the last mile felt like work and that is such an amazing feeling. I'm not trying to make myself sound awesome, but my literal goal was to able to run the Turkey Trot. It's a 10k, but it's in November. I had no idea I would hit my goal so soon. I really only started running outside less than 3 weeks ago. I am so blown away. I can't tell you how great it feels, Of all the things i've done in the past few months, which includes losing over 60 lbs., today is one of the first times i've felt I've actually accomplished something. I was so stoked I had Nina take a picture. So cheesy. I know. But monumental to me.
I want to thank a few people who made it possible. First, God for keeping my heart from exploding when I push myself to hard. Second, U2, K-Os, John Mark McMillan, The National, Bloc Party, The Arcade Fire, Mute Math (2x), Edison Glass, Switchfoot, and Sanctus Real for giving me a great playlist to run too, and finally My two precious girls for giving me a reason to get healthy.
Below is my Nike+ run report for your perusal. I know it looks like a big dip in one area, but that's only a 9:00 minute mile. My average pace was 7:57 per mile which you can see in the second image as well as my overall time, calories, and distance.
Adding to the awesomeness factor of the run is the fact that right before I left the house, I cut my big toe pretty bad. After a quick band-aid, I thought nothing off it. I didn't hurt really. But when I got home this is what my sock looked like.
Fortunately my wife is very loving and borrowed one of Madeline's band-aids to patch up my wound.
Sorry if all this running talk is boring. You just have no idea what a big deal it is to me.
