Eight is Great!

Oh, great Magic 8 ball.  I believe yesterday's eight miles told me a TON about the future.  First, a rundown:

1)  I felt like crap when I woke up.  I even went to the Dr. yesterday AM, thinking I had Strep.  Nope on the Strep, yep on the feeling-like-crap - likely a cold coming on.  I knew if I didn't get out the door yesterday, it would be NO easier the rest of this weekend.

2)  Since I was running so late, I scrapped my point-to-point route that had been planned and decided on doing my 4mi neighborhood 2x, with a pitstop at my house.  The route is basically 1.5m uphill, 1m across, then 1.5m downhill.  I figured I would run it counter-clockwise once, and clockwise back.

3)  I got out.  Right as my Garmin chimed 1-mile, I swallowed a bug.  Full on, hit the back of my throat-I-almost-puked bug eating.  I briefly considered turning around and going home.  And crawling onto the couch and sleeping for hours. I pushed the 'SLEEEEEEEP' out of my head and ran.

4)  Pitstop.  Chomps.  Water.  OHHH the uphills going the opposite way are BRUTAL.  I ended up running a block, walking a block.  I was having a hard time breathing & my nose was running like crazy.

5)  Cleared the uphill was again flying.  I zoned out and RAN.  My feet and shoulders were tired.  My hips hurt.  I was ready to be done.  I was running at 9:30/mi at this point, even once I hit level ground.  That's FAST for me!  (look at my last mile!)

Now, what I learned:

1)  I can push myself.  Hard.  When I think I can't, I can.

2)  Taking care of yourself is important.  Today my cold has hit full-force and it's a day for rest.

3)  Get your mind off the negative.  Get your mind off the numbers.  Once I started realizing how beautiful of a day it was, smiling at the kids and neighbors out and waving at other runners, I was honestly enjoying myself.

So yes, 8 miles.  Done.  Distance PR, at my long run pace (a smidge faster), while feeling like crap.  Done & Done.