Sunday, January 26, 2014

Week 4: The Joy of the Running Group

Now I know I'm in a routine because the weeks are starting to go by faster.  And just as I am starting to feel settled in my temporary apartment, it is time to move on.  Tomorrow, I move out of corporate housing and into my rental in Ballard, where I will stay put for at least 12 months.  I am looking forward to that.

In terms of my training, this week has been amazing.  Yes, amazing.  Not only did I keep up with the plan (I always see this as a success), I had two significant happenings:
1.  I found a group to run with, and
2.  I got another PR.

This week, I learned what SGLRG and FLUR mean!  I joined the Seattle Green Lake Running Group (SGLRG), and did their regular "Wake-Up Wednesday" run around Green Lake, and their Friday Lake Union Run (FLUR), followed by coffee at Milstead.  They seem like a good group - one that I want to get to know better - and running with them made me realize how much I miss running with people.  Or at least having running peeps to turn to when I want motivation, support, or just to geek-out on some running talk.  The group has a triathlon spin-off group, the Seattle Green Lake Triathlon Group, which I have not become acquainted with yet, but will in the near future.

For new, and old, runners I can't recommend finding a group to run with highly enough!  There is nothing more energizing than running with people.  And, although I enjoy my quiet, alone-time runs, there is something incredibly fulfilling about having a group of people to turn to when you need that extra push.  And as much as I do like running by myself, the time always goes by faster when I'm running with others.

There is a lot more I can say on the topic of social running, and maybe someday I will.  For now, I will touch on #2 - my PR.

I ran a small 10K race in Seward Park today, put on by Fitness for Vitality, and ran a 47:53, coming in as the 3rd place overall female!!  Not only does it feel great to get a PR, and come in 3rd overall, but I also have always had this barrier in my head about the 8:00-mile - thinking that if I could ever run a 10K in under an 8:00 average pace, I would be a "real" runner.  Today, I became a "real" runner, with an average overall pace of 7:43.  I am amazed and proud.

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