Today was a beautiful day in the Pacific Northwest in which to run and finish up my 3rd week of training.  It was overcast, raining, and cool!!  Oh how I’ve missed the rain since April!  When you go without it for so long, you just don’t mind running in it!

I had 6 miles on the schedule for this lovely Sunday.  Was I ready?  Didn’t matter.  It was something that had to be done.  I stuck with my plan of trying to stay as strong at the end of my run as when I started… that’s a good mindset for me.  About 0.3 miles into my run, I happened to land square into a lovely little puddle that I didn’t realize was also deep.  Managed to soak my entire right shoe.  Ahhh, but that didn’t matter.  I was wearing proper running socks with moisture wicking, so that didn’t even phase me.  Besides, the rest of me was drenched from the rain, why should my feet or shoes be excluded.  Did I mention I love the rain?

I like running to the beat of a song, and I had 4 songs in particular that helped me to keep my pace up… Timber (PitBull), Love Runs Out (One Republic), Happy (Pharell Williams), and Shake It Off (Taylor Swift).  I relied on this music once I got past mile 3.  Because that’s when I started getting tired.  I also relied on various mantras I repeat over and over and over again in my head… I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me… I’m only getting stronger… Run the mile you’re in…

I made it strong for about 5-1/2 miles, then I started getting discouraged as I was looking at my time.  I’m wanting to improve my pace, not be the same as I was last year, and I just wasn’t feeling it or seeing it on my watch.  But then someone on a bicycle rode past me and must’ve seen the distress on my face, because he looked at me and gave me the biggest grin, as if to say, “It’s all good,” or “Don’t forget to smile,” which then in turn made me remember to smile for that last 1/2-mile.  The other bonus was my husband was just beginning his run when I was close to done, so he “brought me in” which allowed me to finish super strong.

And at the end of the day, according to Strava, I managed to knock 1 minute 18 seconds off my pace per mile from last year at this time, which tells me, yes, I’m getting better and the goal I’ve set for this year is very realistic and reachable.  That makes me smile.

As for The Motivator, he ran a measly 14 miles today in 2:03:37, averaging 8:48 pace.  He’s going to kick ass in Chicago.