***
You would assume the lack of lovlies would be due to the serious temperature drop paired with the blustery rudeness. But apparently, no. It was a child with possible chicken pox, work commitments, chest colds, and a cat with an unfortunate puncture to it's head.
So that left Meghan, Waeow, and I... After completely changing our course we turned our trusty watches on, hoping the satellites will quickly show themselves so we could get on with the running part.
Waeow stayed with us for the first three miles, turning onto a Schoolhouse #2 rd. (a six mile loop, pretty sure she made it a farther run than that though). The wind not helping matters, we continued on with all layers intact. Although the first article of clothing shed was a flyaway hat, chucked into a fellow RLR's mailbox about a mile down the road.
Legs, breath and well... body, all looking forward to getting to the magical six mile mark. Where suddenly cadence and heart rate settle into a more natural feeling groove. We spent some time talking about how hard getting out there and running three miles can be compared to ten most days. So basically, to all of you out there just starting out, it gets easier the further you go! Promise.
Unfortunately, or possibly fortunately... the part where we got to our awaited, easier miles. Also came the first of many dreaded forever long hills (and please don't mistake me for saying we hadn't already been running many, this is just one we literally dread) Needless to say, it was time to quiet our banter and plug into some hopefully inspiring music to push us up, and on.
Around mile nine, and yes running up yet another hill, I laughed outloud. And continued for the next 3min. 35seconds thanks to the song I Got Hurt Feeling/Tears of a Rapper by Flight of the Concords. Trying to replay the silly going on in my earbuds, I'm pretty sure I just slaughtered it with my giggly off-key-ness. Apparently, the goofy.. helps with the miles flying by part, though.
On top of Bailer Hill the wind decided to pick up a bit. We yelled at it to "quit it already", but it was to no avail. So instead we yelled at it to "keep on blowing", holding onto some control of the situation. Oh, and while your at it, feel free to start to rain a bit... thats right, who's in charge round here?
When we reached the False Bay turn out and self made water station, we noticed the sun breaking through the dark clouds over the Olympic Mountains. Suddenly so happy we chose this route, not to mention the fact that we live in such a place. False Bay road is a favorite (perhaps you recall it being the main attraction of the RLR Half Marathon) yet running it from this direction, is not. It makes the once gradual downhill... a three mile mockery of our leg strength. It's just a good thing it's purdy, I suppose.
Turning onto Cattle Point rd. is a mild relief. Our homeward stretch, no more turns, and only.. *cough*.. two more dreaded hills to go. The mild part, being it's still five miles away from sitting in a hot tub. Once we reached the peak of the last hill, Meghan pointed over to... oh, what's that??... a rainbow. Awe, so close now. My once light and strong legs, have turned to aching and impatient. Getting gritty, but, yes... so close.
Turning onto Spring St., we step up our pace, look at our watches and decide how important it is to end on an even number or settle for the 17.45... we ran on, cause we're annoying like that.
Where's the beep.... ahhh.... there's the beep. Almost uncomfortable our legs stop running, we walk for a moment then hug our "thank goodness it's overs!!"
Hi, hot tub.
18 miles
average pace, 9 min. 32 seconds.
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