How to make a 4am run fun

Answer: Join a running club, meet fellow crazies, laugh and talk the whole time.

Yesterday, I left work to walk to my car and was completely confused. I was outside, yet I was cold. 

That was just one extra factor that made for a great run this morning. My excellent running buddies Lily and Jackie agreed to a 5am 10 miler. We kept the pace nice and easy (poor Jackie is recovering from an injury, AND has her first tri this Sunday!) and I actually was forgetting to hydrate because we were so busy talking. It has been way too long since the three of us did a long run together. 

I even got home ahead of schedule because there was no traffic, which allowed you to enjoy this blog post. 

We did 10.38 miles in 1:46:07, for an average pace of 10:13. If you are amazed I was able to stop at 10:38, it's because that's what it took Lily's Garmin to get to 10, and I immediately jumped in the car because last time the 15-20 minute ride home took an hour and I was late to work. 

I still made time to take this sideways picture though.

 I agonized over what to do with my ten mile run this weekend, with my usual habit of giving minor decisions way more importance than is necessary.

Sunday is my long run, 20 miles on the trails with Kara, Lily, and Perry! My knees are as happy as I am about this run. 

Tomorrow I have to work. Well, actually, maybe that's the wrong word, as it implies I'll be getting paid.

My school is starting the Marathon Kids program, where kids run 26.2 miles over about a six month period. I've whined about mentioned many times on here my crusade for healthier habits for our students, so I'm really excited about this. Actually, you would think I would have been asked to be on the committee, but that's another story.

So, since I'm not officially on the committee of teachers running it, I volunteered to chaperone a bus trip tomorrow to take the kids who joined to a huge kickoff party for the entire district. I'm actually excited for it, so it better be good.

After that event, Eric and I are going to see the Lion King in 3D. Enough said.

Of course, with my love of early morning workouts, you would think I would just get up early and do the ten miles tomorrow. But that won't be possible, because tonight I'm going on another pirate cruise.

This one will be significantly more tame than the last one though. 

My fingers were blue when I got back from the run so I couldn't handle my beloved iced coffee. On the bright side, I busted out my pumpkin mug.

Doesn't everyone ice their knees while they enjoy their morning java?