A breath of fresh air

Will and I ran the first three miles with Jade.  And we ran in rain.  Well, it was between a mist and a drizzle.  The morning was so warm that I took off the stroller's rain cover for the last mile and a half.  Will and I enjoyed the misty drizzle.

Will and I tried a new running route.  We ran and ran and ran.  Up the hill.  Down the hill.  Up the hill.  Down the hill.  Up the hill. Down the hill.  On and on... For a while it seemed like the run and the hills would never end.

I'm probably still tired from the race.  We'll try the new route again next week.

Will and I ran with Jade this morning.  Today was much more enjoyable than yesterday.  Will and I didn't miss the hills and we loved Jade's company.

Will and I ran the new, hilly course from Tuesday.  I know I said I wouldn't try it again until next week, but Will and I were looking to run at least five miles and the new, hilly course is a wonderful loop.  We faired better today on the hills and the course didn't seem as long. 

Will brought along a stick he found.  He waved, tapped, and tasted the stick before he peacefully dropped it about mile 3.

Will, Jade, and I ran up, up, up the hill to a neighborhood and then back down the hill again.

Today I was telling Jade about my recent bids on eBay. I have been bidding on a couple Bucilla felt Christmas stocking kits. I don't remember the titles of the stockings, but one is three bears decorating a tree and the other is two polar bears sledding. I have already made three stockings: a big Santa (I don't remember it's official title), a big snowman with lots of snowflakes (Let It Snow!), and carolers in front of church (O Holy Night!). I am working on a fourth (Santa's Toy Shop). I love the detail of the embroidery, beads, sequins, and colorful felt. I also like how it's easy to stop and start working on them. And they're not too hard to make. Mostly you just tie lots of knots.

Anyway, Jade's Christmas stocking growing up was a felt stocking! Her grandma made it for her. And she didn't think anyone made felt stockings anymore. After the run, I showed her my stockings and some online. Jade's thinking about making two for her and her husband. It was fun to share something I really like with someone and have them be excited about it, too. That doesn't always happen. For example, I tell people about the blog and usually they don't get excited. However, I was thinking it would be fun to wear a fastrunningblog.com t-shirt. The shirt would be a good conversation starter and runners could stare at it as I pass them.

I am loving the summer weather!  The high today was 86.  I hope fall can be nice and long, too.

My fast miles were awesome.  I was trying for 1:50 quarters.  I started out slow again, but overall I was pleased.

2:02

1:58

1:53

1:51

1:53

1:53

1:52

1:49

So, 7:44 and 7:27 for 15:11!  That's a PR for an outdoor track.  I was very tired, but I ran the 3.2 more miles to make it an even 7.