Vacation running, new babies, good friends

A funny thing about running in new places is that you don't know what you're in for until you're already in it. In an extraordinarily ambitious move, I woke at 6AM to go for my long run on Vacation Saturday. I had planned my route meticulously on Friday night, even. I picked a route that was a bit short (only 9.25ish miles) for the time I was supposed to run (2:45), but it was HILLS... so I was hoping it would balance out.

The run started out well enough. It was a gorgeous morning with lots of sun and the temperature was perfect. I was enjoying the thick air (running really is a lot easier outside of Denver!) and the views, and even the way my legs were hurting a bit. And I surprised myself by climbing a few hills that I thought looked impossible! All in all, things were great. My amazingly awesome friends even drove out to meet me at the halfway point to bring me a fresh cold bottle of water. They're the BEST!

At some point, I made a wrong turn, however... and things began to get ... interesting. The shoulder got more and more narrow (the word non-existent comes to mind), the cars kept getting faster and faster.... the road kept getting twistier and turnier (ok, those definitely aren't words)...Finally, I met a local and decided to ask a few questions to regain my bearings, but the poor guy I was talking to seemed completely befuddled as to WHY I was out there at all. I tried to explain that I was running, just for exercise, that I wasn't lost, I just needed to make sure the road I was on would eventually connect with the one I was looking for.... no such luck, though. After completely creeping me out ("I don't even leave my driveway without a gun around here..." ?????), I took off again and followed the directions that the guy had given me to get to where I wanted to be. As I turned off the main road and down a less populated one, though.... I got scared thinking about how this creepy guy knew where I was headed, and now here I was on a deserted road all alone...ok, deserted is probably a bit of a stretch....

So, I was 2:20 in, and I called my amazingly awesome friends to just come and pick me up. Long story short, I only made it 8.5ish miles. BUT, it is still a HUGE success because I was on vacation, and everyone else slept in while I was running! I have more willpower than I realized.

I had a great time spending time with my friends, too. We had lots of laughs and good conversation... we played board games and watched stand-up and mostly played with the new baby. It was good times all around. I have some things I'd like to talk about here, but I haven't had a proper chance to really get it all down on paper yet. Soon, though.

And, just because she's adorable, here's a picture of the little angel herself.

Things on the horizon.... recommitment paperwork with TNT, fundraising, long runs that are actually short runs, and my latest thoughts on life as I know it. Oh, and a smooch.