Run - Endure, Reap, Rock

What a difference two minutes can make! Heading out on the run, I feel... good? My stride is flowing, my stomach is settled and I am not cold any more. My pre-race strategy was to run 7 minute miles until I finished or expired. My first five miles are actually sub-7 and my HR is sitting right on my long run pace. This is encouraging and I start to run the math and see that 9:40 is within range (even allowing for some late race difficulties). My brain starts telling me that it would really rather be in bed with someone special right now - the exact message I receive isn't fit for family viewing but makes me smile.

As I approach five miles, I start to hear people saying, "There she is!" and I realise that the Grim Reaper is stalking me (albeit a very cute reaper with yellow racing togs). Soon the lead female car appears on my side and the guys joke that I better get a move on it. I tell them that there is no shame in getting dropped by a world champion. Not long after that Lori is beside me and this is the best part of my day. I am running with one of the best athletes in the world. She is so light on her feet. I mention that I will see her in Kona as she heads off. Listening to her breathing I can tell that she is working harder than I am. I think about speeding up and running with her but know that she will run a three-hour marathon. I want my AG placing more than an absolute time and decide to conserve for later. She gaps me.

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