Saturday, March 29

Today I am in Chicago. I can't believe it's the end of March.

Today I had one of my best runs of all time. A few weeks ago I "discovered" an awesome 4 mile loop in my 'hood - I say "discovered" because I have run portions of this loop for about two years, but never in this specific sequence so as to create the perfect 4 mile run. Anyway, I set out this afternoon to do the 4 miles. I didn't used to wear a watch for these types of runs, but today I decided to time myself and try to finish in 40 minutes. For me to run a couple of 10-minute miles isn't really a big deal, but to run 4 of them averaging 10 minutes/mile is a step faster than I'm used to. But....I figured this would be a good test of fitness and mental resolve, both of which are important in my new focus on thinking and living like an athlete.

(By the way, let me interrupt myself and say that I simply love running down the stretch of Chicago Avenue from Ashland to Western...it is full of people in high spirits (or maybe just high) who always say hello and tell me how fetching I look in my running tights - well, they don't use the word "fetching," but you get my meaning. There is also the occasional staggering drunk to run around so it keeps me on my toes.)

Once I got halfway down Western, I knew was going to make the 40 minutes so I started thinking maybe I could finish in 38. That would mean 4 miles at an average of 9:30, a full minute faster than my typical pace. I got to the last 100 yards or so and was practically sprinting, but I made it just in time!! 4 miles, 38:00. I was so pleased that I stayed positive and focused and used that to push myself beyond what I thought I could do. What a great feeling of accomplishment and pride! Hmm...perhaps if I think about it long enough I might find a little life lesson in there somewhere.....