Well, we did it!! I met Tom and Kriston at Bernheim and we ran 8 miles. Running with others allows you to not concentrate as much on the difficulties running can present. My run was weird today. The 1st mile was extremely cold & hard, but miles 2 & 3 were really good. Mile 4 was on a trail that included some walking. The trail was different and I'm not sure I was prepared. Miles 5 & 6 were really good for me but I was struggling on the last 1.5 miles. I was exhausted at the end and had nothing left. I think the trails got the best of me. I came home, took a long hot bath and a power nap. I was "pooped".

Overall, it was a good running day. I'm sore but I still plan to go out and do 5 miles in the morning at a quick pace. My groin has made me slow down which is a good thing. I never had an issue with my groin today but my right hamstring was tight throughout. My run last Tuesday was all under 9mpm so thats what I want to do tomorrow for 5 miles. I don't expect the Turkey Day run to be at that pace but I will push it pretty hard that day.

Thanks to Kriston and Tom for being such great company and pushing me today. Without you 2, I wouldn't have made it 8 miles, it was just one of those days. It was so cold that talking was very difficult so I was a little more quiet than normal. The cold air, a personal issue I was dealing with the 1st 3 miles(let's just say the seam in my tights was not doing me any favors) , and at times struggling with the run caused my mind to be focused on just getting through it most of the morning. I look forward to our next run.

You should have left that thong at home, Joe!!!

I have to say that this run exceeded my expectations. I'm used to doing the 8 miles *not saying I think it's easy* but they never feel as good as they felt today. I had a lot of fun running without THINKING about it. It was nice to carry on a conversation, even though we were so cold we sounded drunk! (I swear I didn't have margaritas before the run, even though I'm on team Margaritaville Miles on RW.) LOL

Thanks for a good run you guys! And Joe, you didn't SEEM like you were having issues. You seemed like you were just fine! Again, I'm sorry we had to go slowly at the beginning especially...it comes with the territory. And I'm sorry if I broke your ankle, Joe. LOL

Tom, you blazed out at the end. I wanted to go with you but I just couldn't manage it. I had to keep it steady paced. (Honestly, I just wanted to make sure you kept the glory all to yourself without my interference... )

I wasn't sure what to expect but it was a great run and I could definitely be up for another group run again! (We'll have to take the street that leads up to the Fire Tower sometime if we ever go there again!)

I intentionally didn't whine because I didn't want to be a downer. It was fine and I'm glad I did it but I wasn't on my A game today. It was still one of my favorite runs.

DEBBIE DOWNER!!!!!!

I'm telling you, regardless of my issues it was a great time and a great run!!!!

I have always been a loaner type. I go to work, and I go home. I wasn't sure how I would like running as a group, but after last weekends run, and then todays excellent run, I actully prefer the group runs. Go figure. maybe it's just because you are both great people.

Any way, I can't wait until we can do it again.

I would love to do the fire tower run.

I really appreciated it. You are a true friend to let me take all the glory .

This is exactly how I feel. I love running because it allows me to get out there and do nothing--as much as that makes no sense, it DOES make sense. I let off so much steam and I truly think of it as my personal time. I've actually run with one other person before--a pretty close friend. And he aggravated me the entire run. He didn't talk too much, he just annoyed me. (I feel horrible saying that...) So yes, I was worried about how I'd feel this morning.

But it was really great. I don't know why I was talking so much, I usually don't feel comfy enough to talk about poop so much. LOL

I especially liked the end when I let you beat me, Tom.