Ten Mile Courtney

I did two things I've never done before today. I ran ten miles, and I ran with my husband. As the parents of three small children, we generally have to take turns running. Sometimes it means running on the treadmill, sometimes it means running at the park after dark. Often it means running very early in the morning before everyone wakes up, or logging miles on the treadmill long after the kids have gone to sleep. So this morning was a rare treat.

I'm used to training and racing with my music. Today was not only the farthest I've ever run, it was one of the only times I've ever run without my earphones and some musical motivation. I'm also not used to having someone to talk to, and I have to admit it was nice.

I mentioned that I don't usually run or race with my husband. This is by design, as he is in better shape and prefers to run faster than I do. True to form, he pushed the pace today, as he said to "see if" I would run faster. I am happy to say that I managed to keep up, although I'm not about to say it wasn't hard. Pretty much every muscle I have hurts tonight. One foot has a throbbing bunion, and the other has a toe that is one big blister. I have a strange catch in my left hip, and a knee that hurt me for the first time today.

I spent some time this afternoon watching the coverage of the Ironman World Championships from Hawaii. For those who are unfamiliar with the special brand of torture that is an Ironman triathalon, it consists of a 2.4 mile swim, a roughly 120 mile bike ride, and a 26.2 mile run. Watching these insane people finish this race as I evaluated my various aches and pains has led me to deduce that I am a candy ass.

That said, this wiggly, jiggly, panting person who has never thought of herself as an athlete ran TEN miles this morning. Yes, I will pay for it tomorrow, but for today it feels really, really good.