I met up with the early group and we headed out on a new to me loop. The weather was drizzly/misty and temps were getting colder for sure. One of the guys mentioned that his watch wasn't sync'd yet and I stupidly pressed stop on mine for the few seconds that we waited. Once we started moving I pressed start again...but you can probably see where this is going! Yep, after a while I wondered why I hadn't heard my mile beep sound and took a look to see my watch not on. Boo...I started it then but missed about half of the loop.
We got back to the activity center as the training group seminar was finishing up. I had enough time to beat the crowd to the bathroom and then to put on a dry vest. I had packed extra coats, vest, and long sleeve tees just in case. When we stop between the early run and the training group run, the sweat from the first run can really cause you to develop a chill. I was very happy to have a dry vest on for the next run.
We headed out with the training group to do the first 7 miles of the half marathon course. I spent much of the run with my buddy Jeff. I grilled him about trail running as that is something he is experienced at. He is one of the ultrarunners on the Rush Running team. Whenever we get a chance to run together he keeps me entertained and gets me to pick up my pace.
One thing that we talked about on the run was how many people in the training group run with ear buds in and the music up so high that they don't hear you talking to them. I used to run with music so I know that it has a purpose but I can't tell you how much more fun it is to run and chat with your friends. We have 250 people in the training group and I enjoy getting to meet someone new each week even if it's just for a brief chat during the run.
The awesome folks from Team GPP and Rampy Foundation for MS were out staffing the water stop in the rain. That's true dedication and service and I know all of the runners were thankful. Coming out of the water stop we had a mile that was mostly a gradual uphill. It's barely an incline but enough that it tires you out. Once we finished that incline the rain picked up and became a downpour. Thankfully we only had 1.5 miles left in the run.
As we finished up we came up on a father and daughter running. It made me think of running with my dad and also made me think of Jeff's girls and how much they have grown up. This father/daughter duo was especially entertaining. Dad was listening to music and with the rainy weather his glasses were fogging over. He kept getting lost on the road...his daughter would have to grab his elbow to point out that we were turning for example. She was really cute and laughing with us.
All together I ended up with 11 1/2 cold and rainy miles. My clothes were soaked when we finished and I was thankful to have clean, dry clothes to put on after. The crazy weather continued today with about 4 inches of snow. I don't have any rainy pictures but here is a look at my snowy, sunset view tonight.
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