Another positive long run!

I love it when your long run goes better than you had expected it to go, it's more than a marvelous feeling!  An 18 mile run on the trail, long and beautiful, hot and sunny, with friends and solo, all went better than I had hoped.  The plan was to run the first 10 miles with Jamie, a really long run for her, so I had expected us to pace around an 8:30.  Nope, did the 10 miles in 1:24, way faster than I had planned and that left me worried that I wouldn't make it another 8 miles (and I knew I wouldn't be able to negative split).  I headed back down the trail and finally ran into Caren, so I tagged along with her for just over a mile before she had to return to her car.  Then, just before my turn around point, I ran into Allie and Carter and enjoyed the smiles and encouragement they provided!

The heat kicked in shortly after my run began, but with my previously "planted" water bottles along the course, I was able to run without my big belt and that was freeing!  I felt good, my body was cooperating, and my mind was in a positive place.  In the first two miles on the trail, I nearly jumped as I saw some rare trail creature crawling along!  I shouted, "Jamie, it's a lobster!"  Ok, she clarified that it was just a Crawfish, but the thing was weird and completely unexpected in the middle of nowhere!

  The end result?

Very pleased with the run, at least for where my training is at.  Still slower than last year at this time, but catching up quickly.