Let It Burn...

I had this line in my head today from Adele's song as I climbed twice to Granville. Let it burn, let it burn....my legs that is...thankfully it wasn't too bad. Honestly, mentally today was a great day. I parked my car at my friend's house and then did two 12 mile loops. There are hills,climbs and down hills and flats. I know I have said this before but running over there is like home to me. I lived on that side of town for 22 years so there are few roads over there that don't have some type of memory.

My biggest struggle was probably the first 30 minutes of the run. I had gone into my friend's house and they were just taking out fresh baked cinamon roles. I didn't eat any, although I envisioned myself eating the entire platter. However, just the amazing sweet smell made me feel week as I first stared, almost like my blood sugar had dropped. Finally though I got my head screwed on and was able able to run the next 20 miles in a really good place mentally and physically.
My one adventure during the run was as I turned right on to Granville Rd there was a large dog just standing there, looking at me. No barking. No moving. Just starring at me. So I stopped and started talking really sweetly to the dog but he still didn't react, so I started walking in the direction I needed to go, in that instant he starts barking and bounding towards me. (Panic button where are you?!!) It was ok though, he ran past me and into his yard. Phew.
I had two high lights, one was seeing my friend on her way down Granville mountain and from afar we put our arms up in the air, almost like some weird species greeting eachother. We could have just waved but that was fun! She ran a few seconds with me and then headed back down. Later on in the run, I saw a group of runners and I wanted to catch them to see who it was and have some human contact. Running 3 hours by yourself gets tedious sometimes. So I caught up to them and knew at least of the members of the group. It was so nice just to even say hello!!!

The low light, was probably tweeking my ankle over a freaking pine cone a mile from the finish. It was good too though because it made me really realize that I need to focus especially when I am tired. It was right after I saw the group. I was thinking about them instead of the road.
I hobbled a bit but overall I feel ok!

3:03 minutes later I was done, salty face, and just totally tired but psyched too! I think my pace came out somewhere in the 7:30's we'll take it, especially with the double climb!

43 days till Boston....