Thankful (WW # 173 )

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FITNESS  RELATED  POST  with us!

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After last weekend's 10 mile race plus 6+ miles the following day, I planned to rest until Wednesday.   But, things got crazy and I didn't run until Thursday.  I was thankful the kids were home from college and helped around the house.  When I walked in after the most horrible stressful day and saw my Christmas tree fully decorated by our kids and grandson, I choked back tears of gratitude.  After finding the dishwasher unloaded, I really lost it [wink].

I couldn't miss my usual Thanksgiving morning eat-two-helpings-of-sweet-potato-casserole run and clocked 6.5 easy miles.  If it wasn't raining Saturday, I planned to run in a 5k and wanted to save speed until then.  Thursday was a long day of travel, helping a family member, and visiting the in-laws.  I'm thankful my MIL still prepares the main meal.  It was heavenly, as always.

Ryan's Run is a favorite 5k based on the Iron Bowl football rivalry played later in the day.  I didn't register in advance, waiting to see if the overnight rain stopped.    I was thankful to see it had so I quickly ate a yogurt --  my favorite just enough breakfast for a 5k -- dressed in team colors, and drove 5 minutes to the event.  It was in the upper 40s with 100% humidity.  I went with a skirt, tank and arm sleeves since I felt overdressed and too warm at last weekend's race wearing capris and long sleeves.  Good call.

It's a hilly course (yeah I know -- I say that about all of our races) so I began conservatively.  A young woman wearing a Michigan shirt got really chatty during the first mile.  [PS...Lady, Michigan will never be in the Iron Bowl -- just sayin'.]  I kept pausing my music to hear and respond to her questions.  I was nice, though.  I was.   But I was thankful to leave her behind on the first big hill.  

There is no disputing this in an out and back course!

It was a solid progression run.  Given the course and where I am right now with my training I was pretty thankful to see my splits.  9:29, 9:10, 8:58, with 8:03 tail.  It was enough to win my age group... which in full disclose only had 10 people in it.  It was great to catch up with the local running girls and I rewarded myself with a Starbucks on the way home. I have another 5k in mind next weekend for more speed work.  I hope I can improve my splits.  If memory serves, that course should be flatter. Fingers crossed.  

I was thankful to see our college team handily take the Iron Bowl victory later in the day.  Roll Tide.  The week was closed with a long mid morning run of 13 miles on Sunday.  It felt really tough especially after the sun popped out and warmed things up midway through.  But, it was my final long run before a half marathon I can hopefully travel to in two weeks.  My mileage for the week totaled 22.6. 

And that's a wrap!

What is your favorite Thanksgiving dish?

What do you eat before a 5k race?

Other than the obvious (family, friends, health, freedom, etc.)
what is something you were thankful for this week?

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