This morning Laur and I got up ridiculously early to head to Philly to run our very first Broad Street Run, a 10 miler that literally goes from the north end of Philadelphia to the south end. I'd originally thought we needed to leave before 0600, because the website said to park on the south end and take the subway to the start and you should do this before 7. Well we left a little later which wasn't no thang, and got to the parking lot around 7(?). Then we had to wait for porta potties for a while and boarded a subway around 745. At that point there was still a large number of people on the platform waiting for another train to come. We realized we weren't going to make the start on time, but we both had watches and it was chip timed so it wouldn't really matter- this was supposed to be a fun race for us, a chance to take in the sights of Philadelphia and the thousands of fellow runners, plus this was the first time Laur was running since her half, so it wasn't a race to set world records.

( The long of it )

Because I am currently in a university study where I can only eat foods pre-prepared for me, I couldn't enjoy any of the finish area goodies except ice cold water. We found a spot on the huge lawn in the Navy yard, in sigh of the massive Navy ships, and I stretched her out. As a result, a photog from the Philadelphia Daily News snapped some pictures of us and now we're famous! Well, not really famous, but if you follow this link to the slide show and click through, we're at the end with me stretching out Laur's left hamstring! How cool is that?!?!

We both agreed as we walked back to the car that this is definitely going to become a tradition of ours, like many other races already have and many more will. It's always a wonderful day when the two of us can share running so completely. So see you next year, Broad Street Run!

Now for a much needed nap!!!

the short of it:
10 miles in 1:58:30

including:
Mile 1- 10:12
Mile 2- 19:50 (9:38 mile)
(2:24 break to stretch out)
Mile 3- 35:49 (13:35 mile)
Mile 4- 48:47 (12:58 mile)
Mile 5- 1:00:50 (12:03 mile)
Mile 6- 1:12:49 (11:59 mile)
Mile 7- 1:24:30 (11:41 mile)
Mile 8- 1:36:45 (12:15 mile)
Mile 9- 1:48:29 (11:44 mile)
Mile 10- 1:58:28 (9:59 mile)

I know that Valentine's Day is pretty much just a crock to guilt men into buying cards, flowers and/or chocolates for their ladies (because what says "I LOVE YOU" more than a pre-packaged sentiment and the same candy or roses you've bought every year at this time?) I'm cynical, can you tell? I'm not down on expressing one's love for their significant other, I'm down on people waiting until today to do it. Why not express how much you love someone on January 29th? or February 11th? See? That isn't to say that you can't take today and make it special in its own way. That's what I love so much about Laur. She has been so amazing to me and for me since the end of October, and in a much bigger way since we made things "official" the end of December. I can honestly say I have never been happier or more fulfilled. And this is the best, the healthiest, the most mature relationship I've ever been in, by far. And, oh yea, I am CRAZY IN LOVE WITH HER! But this is not a sentiment that has been saved for just today, every single day in so many ways we share this feeling with each other, even if we're separated by a few states or just one county.

We had planned on celebrating today in our own special way, going to NYRR's Night at the Races at the Armory and me running the mile and 2 mile. However, early this morning, as I was passed out in my car at a rest stop on the NJ Turnpike, my grandma died. Between that and me needing to take care of a lot of stuff for my move to Delaware this weekend, and me being severely run-down and stressed, we thought it not a great idea. So instead she was going to take the train to the 'tizzle and I was going to do speedwork on the track. Well I did my speedwork, but I thought it somewhat unromantic to make her take the train all by her lonesome, so as soon as I finished I sped into the city and picked her up from Kidville. I am in love with this woman, more than words can express. And spending time with her tonight was the better than any store-bought gift I could get. Although the gifts she did give me were all aweSOME, perfectly suited to me, and really showed that she put some thought into it and into knowing me. Something I hope what I gave her showed her too.

Why all this here? Because if it weren't for running, we simply wouldn't be. I wouldn't have the privilege and pleasure of even knowing her. And so running, every run I do, every race I will compete in, makes me think very much of her and of our special bond. Running is one of our many "things" and one of our biggest things. We are runners as much as we are lovers, best friends, and soul mates. I am truly lucky.

I was supposed to do 45 minutes @ half marathon pace, last 10 minutes @ 10k race pace
Here's the damage:

6 miles in 42:06 (7:01 pace)

including:
Mile 1- 7:04
Mile 2- 14:19 (7:15 mile)
Mile 3- 21:25 (7:05 mile)
Mile 4- 28:28 (7:03 mile)
Mile 5- 35:23 (6:55 mile)
Mile 6- 42:06 (6:43 mile)

1st half- 21:25 (7:08 pace)
2nd half- 20:41 (6:54 pace)

As far as the run, it went fantastically. I felt strong, I felt loose, and I didn't have any pain at any point in it. Pacing wise, I was right on...well sort of. I haven't run a half in almost a year and I KNOW I'm faster than I was then, when I ran a 7:27 pace, so I've been figuring on 7:20 pace but I feel that's a conservative estimate. I was closer to 7:05 and then dropped down to my 10k race pace which I am assuming to be somewhere around 6:50. YIKES! A few months ago I couldn't even fathom running any significant distance more than a mile or so in sub 7:00. SWEET.

I have the greatest girlfriend in the world, I'm in grad school now, I've got my own place, my life and my future is getting figured out in a way that doesn't terrify me, my running is going so well- better than I could have imagined when I started in November, and did I mention I have the GREATEST. GIRLFRIEND. EVER!? Life is good.

x-posted to supermanz