A quickie around campus [Training Day 142 Sun. 5/22/11]

3.5 miles (+ additional 1/2 mile walk up Monster Hill)
48:20 time
12:39 pace (included walking up that hill)
{390.74 miles so far this year}

So the pace appears sucky, but it's really not.  This was actually a 4 mile route.  Jody & her husband came over for dinner.  We used that as an excuse to take off for a short run while the men scurried off into the man cave (garage) to chat about bike stuff.  We walked the first half mile, so I'm only counting it as 3.5 running miles even though we traveled nearly 4 miles.  I started the Garmin when we began walking, so it clocked our entire route...including our slow walk up Monster Hill (behind my house). 

During the run, I noticed Jody wasn't talking much.  If I asked her a question, she would give a quick, "Sure...[breathe, breathe, breathe]" or "OK....[breathe, breathe, breathe]".  I on the other hand, rattled on and on and on the entire duration of the run (poor Jody!).  I felt exceptionally good.  Got a lot off my chest.  Remained distracted by my surroundings and constant chatter. 

Well, about 3 miles into it, I realized I was running at a rather comfy pace for me.  If it's a comfy pace for me, that means it's not a comfy pace for Jo.  No wonder she couldn't chat much. She was busy trying to BREATHE! lol  I made mention of our pace, and apologized for not recognizing it earlier.  She asked what our pace was.  It was 13:01 or so at the time, but remember....that included walking up Monster Hill.  I'm sure she was trying to figure out why the hell this little 4 miler was kicking her ass with such a slow pace.  So busy thinking about it, she didn't realize I managed to speed us up even MORE. lol  We ended up with a 12:39 pace for the entire run.  Perhaps not knowing was a good thing.  Maybe if she knew we were averaging in the upper 9s / lower 10s, she would have slowed down.  Our fastest pace, going up hill halfway through the run, was 9:11. I've gotta give her a LOT of credit with this one.  She never complained, and kept up with me the entire time!!!!!!  Go, Jody, go! 

{the good} I went out logged 4 miles of activity before chowing down on BBQ.  

{the ugly} It seemed like a really long 4 miles! My feet were killing me from all the yard work we've been doing.  Lots of shoveling....which I guess ended up being hard on my feet. Especially my right arch.  That's where my foot tends to land on the shovel when I punch down into the dirt.  Man, I'll be glad when this yard is finally landscaped!