A little bit of mental toughness

Somehow, I must have gotten a dose of this for Christmas as well.

One of my MAJOR problems with running is the lack of mental toughness that just seems so hard for me to come by.

Well, as the saying goes ~ sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do.

And for me this morning, that was a 10 mile run on my own.

Due to some illness (poor Lisa) and some schedule conflicts (Pat was hiking with relatives), this Pokey was left alone this morning to knock down 10 miles. I would have LOVED to postpone a long run until the weekend when I could run with my TRC buddies, but I am leaving town tomorrow and it just wasn't possible.

I realized how hard it is ~ mentally at least ~ to get out of bed on a cold morning, when it's dark outside and the rest of your family is still cozily sleeping when there ISN'T someone waiting on you. I so wanted to crap out on this run.....until the realization hit that this was my last long run before RNR. So up and out I went.

My goal was to knock down 10 miles....which would be my longest solo run ever. The longest I have managed by myself is about 6 miles. I was nervous about the prospect of being out on the road for 2 hours with just me, myself and I. Sometimes I am not the best company, and I am definitely not the best motivator.

It was cold ~ about 35 degrees at 8am ~ and I had some technical issues with clothing which kept me fussing with my waistpack and shirt for the first couple miles. I was tired, especially after a couple hectic days with the holiday chaos, and a TON of bad food....so I wasn't sure how the run would go. I just wanted to keep moving and knock down the miles.

Miles 1-3 were *okay*....that is always the toughest part of the run for me as I take a hecka long time to warm up.

Mile 3-4 was feeling good....I stopped after mile 4 at a grocery store for a bathroom break, to refill my water bottle and to eat a gel (Cytomax was the gel of choice today).

After I got moving after the break, Micheline called and I chatted with her for the next 1.3 miles. It was great ~ a running buddy that was a few hundred miles away!!! :P


I felt good until about mile 7.5 and the fatigue really started to set in. I hadn't really paid much attention to my buddy Garmie until about mile 8 (he was really just accompanying me for mileage-tracking purposes, not so much for pace). Once I got a look at Garmie at mile 8, everything changed.

Check out this Bad Boy:

Until mile 8, all my splits were UNDER 13 minutes, and for the first time I had potential to run the 10 miles in 2 hours or less ~ which has always been sort of an unspoken, mental goal that I have had....a benchmark of progress, so to speak.

Knowing that was the only thing that kept me from walking the last few miles home. The next couple miles were rough ~ as seem by the 13 min pace due to more walk breaks than earlier in the run ~ but I was moving in the right direction.

And as you can already tell, I didn't make the 2 hour cutoff. But you know what? I DON'T CARE! Do you see that last split?

11:40 baby............after NINE miles.

It took every ounce of every thing that I could muster...but I got it done. I kept remembering Pat telling me that THIS is where you improve as a runner....in the last couple miles when you want to quit. And then there was Lisa telling me....gee, if you can run 9 miles, certainly you can run 10. LOL :P So even in their absence, the people that motivate me continue to have impact.

Somehow today I managed to dig into a place that I had never touched before. Somehow I was able to grab some mental toughness and see the whole thing through. I ran the best 10 miles of my running *career* today, and just could not be any happier!!!!!!!

Long Run:

Distance: 10.0 miles

Time: 2:05:28

Average pace: 12:32

Can you see me with a big, goofy SMILE on my face??? It's been there all day :P

And now a BIG HUG to Lisa ~ my poor, sick running buddy ~ GET BETTER SOON WOMAN! We have a HM to run!!!! :)

Christmas Eve Wog

I love the term *Wog,* which I stole from Tigerlilly because sometimes it is just so indicative of what I do. I jog....and I walk. Therefore, I wog. I love it!

So this morning was my Christmas Eve wog......which was fantastic. I had planned on 3 miles, and finished up at 3.55 after all was said and done.

I took off out of the gates and knocked down the first mile at 11:44. Do you all get how fast this is for me? By myself, nonetheless? I was stoked. But then reality hit, and with a long run pending day after tomorrow, I figured it was best to not try for a 3 mile PR this morning after all :P

So I covered up Garmie......jogged a little, walked when I wanted/needed....and just enjoyed the morning out.

I was ECSTATIC to discover at the end of 3.55 miles that all my splits, even with a few walk breaks intermingled, were under 13 minutes. I mean ~ think about it ~ when one runs a 12 minute pace, and then takes walk breaks ~ splits are never under the 13 minute mark. Well, kids....this was today:

Mile 1: 11:44
Mile 2: 12:36
Mile 3: 12:51
.55 mile: 11:51 (pace)

Total: 3.55 miles
Time: 43:38
Average pace: 12:18

This tells me that my running pace has MUCH improved lately. I am close to saying I have knocked a minute off my pace from a few months back. What a good, good way to be winding up 2007.

Garmie has never, EVER surprised me in such a good way before. He must know it's Christmas :)

Happy Holidays everyone!

Quick run update

Yesterday morning I was reminded of why I run. It was 37 degrees and sunny when I left the house a little before 8am....and it was just beautiful.

This run was quite possibibly the best 5 mile, SOLO run I have ever had. Without my running buddies, I tend to walk a bit too much [insert embarrassed face here] but today was the exception.

I headed out slow and easy, and maintained an easy pace for the entire 5 miles. The goal was to be slow (even in Pokey terms) and keep moving. I walked only once, after the 3 mile mark, to adjust some clothing and take a water break. If not for that break, all my splits would be negative.

Slow, steady, consistent, WONDERFUL run:

Lap 1: 12:37
Lap 2: 12:30
Lap 3: 12:20
Lap 4: 13:28 (walk break)
Lap 5: 12:10

Total: 5.0 miles
Time: 1:03:11
Average pace: 12:37

G.I.G.O.

I am a bean counter by profession, and we have a saying in the accounting world:

“Garbage In, Garbage Out”

(or GIGO for short ~ we accountants love acronyms :p )

In my work world, it basically refers to transactional integrity. Meaning if you put garbage (bad data) into a system, you basically get garbage (bad data out). Makes sense, yes?

In my running world, it means that if you eat like crap for three days straight, you end up with a lousy, painful, exhausting run.

It is entirely too embarrassing to even account for a fraction of what I have put into my body over the last couple days….my blogging buddies would be disgusted. And the sad part is that I didn’t really care. I knew I was eating like a cow, and just didn’t care.

It took all the mental and physical energy that I could muster last night after a long, crazy week of busy days and late nights…..to really get out of the house and run. My plan called for 3-4 miles; I somehow managed to drag myself for 3.

Again, mentally….it is so refreshing. I wish I could find a way to run every day because I know it would keep my eating in check. My run last night was definitely an *atonement* of sorts for my bad choices during the week ~ I paid for them every step of the way.

But it’s okay ~ I got myself out of the house and ran.

I’ve now got to stay on track for 5 miles on Saturday; 5 miles on Monday and then a long run on the day after Christmas. During that time, I need to learn to control my mouth.

Part of me is leaning toward returning to Weight Watchers after the New Year. I need something to keep me on track. I need the constant kick in the tail.

Tonight is our friends’ Christmas party…..a huge deal that we look forward to every year. We have Mexican food, the kids decorate cookies and then we walk around the corner from our friends’ house to see the most awesome Christmas light display ever…..kind of like a Candy Cane Lane or Christmas Lane kind of setting. It has been our tradition for the past 10 years or so. I can’t wait. Today some of my stress subsided and I really feel like I am in the Christmas mood :)

So HAPPY HOLIDAYS everyone!!!! We’ll be up North after Christmas, but hopefully I’ll be able to still give everyone a yell before 2008!


Short , Seriously Slow Pokey Run
Distance: 3.0 miles
Mile 1: 13:05
Mile 2: 12:30
Mile 3: 12:05

Officially *Official*

That's what Lisa made the Tumbleweed Running Club when she got Pat and I these great shirts as a surprise Christmas gift (pic stolen from Pat):

We MUST be an official running club now with cool digs like this. Thanks again so much Lisa!!!

Have I mentioned in a while that I have the best running buddies EVER? I don't know what I would do without them.

For those who are still wondering......IFG was defeated yesterday in the battle over pumpkin loaf, but claimed a victory later in the day over a batch of chocolate cookies. Yup....really gotta get running tonight :)

If pumpkin loaf could talk

I would be in BIG trouble right now.


Because a full loaf the delectable little treat is sitting on my desk today, staring at me….just begging to be eaten. One of my coworkers somehow thought it would be a nice gesture to bring me some of my favorite holiday food….not realizing that it would put IFG and Pokey into a heated battle for the rest of the day.

*sigh*


So far, I have resisted for 4 hours. Now it is just a battle of principle. I am such a SUCKER for sweets…….ugh, it’s horrible.

I need to run tonight, but probably won’t be able to until tomorrow.

Here’s my plan for the next week:

Wednesday ~ 3-4 miles
Thursday ~ 3 miles
Friday ~ off
Saturday ~ 5 miles
Sunday ~ off
Monday ~ 5 miles
Tuesday ~ Merry Christmas!
Wednesday ~ Long run with Pat & Lisa ~ actual mileage TBD: 10-14 miles
Thursday ~ off

Starting that Thursday, we will be up in Flagstaff until January 1, so I have some work to do to figure out a running schedule. I need a “longer” run of 6-8 miles over the weekend of the 29th, but it’s going to really suck having to knock that down by myself :( I’ll probably just have to have the family drop me off somewhere so I have no choice but to run home!

After the first of the year, we have one weekend run left – a 5 miler on 01/06/08 and then ba-da-bing: Rock N’ Roll!!! It’s crazy how fast that has snuck up on me.

Oh yeah……and I just have to say that I got the absolute BEST surprise Christmas gift from a fellow blogger yesterday…..but the catch is, there is still another one of these great gifts that still needs to be given….so MUM is the word until then, as to not ruin the surprise. I sooooooo want to post a picture, but I guess it will have to wait. My Surprise Santa ~ you know who you are ~ THANK YOU again! I LOVE IT and can’t wait to show it off!

Frosty

I don't care what grief Pat gives us about living in AZ, while Mr. Marathon was snug in his warm bed, Lisa and I ~ along with the great company of her friend T ~ headed out at 6 am when the temperature was a CHILLY 37 degrees!!!!

And you KNOW it's cold when after 8 miles your running buddy looks over and says "WOW....you have FROST on you!!!" My black shirt was frosty alright, and so was Lisa's visor. So I think we can fully substantiate that it was COLD today :)

To help Lisa out, I'll post splits from Garmie....but for this run, it's also important to note the actual running pace for the 6 miles that we ran with T.....since she is a speedster, and my sheer goal this morning was to be able to keep up. We did R7W1 intervals, but our MAX running pace was CRUISING! (at least for this slow poke) So while the overall workout pace was still 12:45.....check this out:

Lap 1: 13:38 (from my house to meet Lisa - includes walking warmup)
Lap 2: 8:00 (.55 mile walking to meet T)
Lap 3: 11:42 (here we go..... running pace ~ 9:48)
Lap 4: 12:16 (running pace ~ 9:50)
Lap 5: 12:19 (running pace ~ 10:21)
Lap 6: 12:59 (running pace ~ 10:37)
Lap 7: 12:59 (running pace ~ 10:10)
Lap 8: 12:39 (running pace ~ 10:09)
Lap 9: 13:04 (running pace ~ 10:11)
Lap 10: 5:05 (.45 mile ~ running pace ~ 10:24)

Overall run: 9.0 miles ~ average pace 12:45

AWESOME RUN!!!!!

When I get more time, I'll post some of my thoughts about running in the cold, in shorts and unable to feel your thighs....and the potential consequences :(

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,
I am sorry I wrote this letter so late. What I wish for for Christmas is a mini Little Tikes quad for my brother Trevor, and an autographed Steve Nash jersey. Also a Steeler bracelet. I would also like a play kitchen for my brother, and I would like a digital Under Armor watch. Another last thing is an electric guitar. I promise that I will never forget the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Christ.

Thank you!
Love,
Dylan


I found this tucked in my purse this morning and it truly warmed my heart. It reminds me to be thankful of what wonderful children I have and how truly good their hearts are.

I.GOT.IT

They say to be careful what you ask for because you just might get it....so I have to confess:

I GOT IT.

Am I over myself? Not quite yet, but I’m working on it.

I guess this could be termed a FUNK just like many of us bloggers have been in and out of over the past few weeks. I’m just not usually funky, so it’s hard for me to know what do with myself when I get stuck in one.

Last night was probably the worst I have felt in a long time. I was exhausted and sluggish, and just over all crabby. Dylan had a band concert, which was GREAT…and afterwards we went out for Mexican food with the grandparents and all. I ate horribly….then came home, got the kids to bed and then wanted to crawl in bed myself. I felt so incredibly LAZY.

But as usual, I decided to check blogs first…..

I read all the amazing comments from my fellow bloggers, and it is always good to know that others are pulling for you and that many also have an IFG (girl or guy) that drops in for visits now and then. It’s always good to know that you’re not alone in the constant struggle for weight loss and fitness.

Micheline has ridden this road with me before, and her dissertation is what I constantly used to get via email when I was having a “moment.” It’s funny how differently people are motivated by different things ~ Mich has known me long enough to know that the best way to get me moving is TOUGH LOVE. Can you tell she’s a lawyer? She’s awfully wordy, eh? :P

All my newer friends were a bit nicer….except for Eric, whose email to me essentially said “what is all this crap?” LOL…you guys are all da bomb!

The final slap upside the head for me came last night when I read Lisa’s blog. And I quote:

….. I didn't want to get this far and then mess it up…..


She’s talking about RNR, and how hard she has worked. And lemme tell you, the woman has worked HARD.

We are supposed to run together on Sunday and it hit me like a ton of bricks……..I also will NOT be the one to mess it up for Lisa. She needs a running buddy on Sunday morning at 6am that is ready to rock and roll and knock down some serious mileage. NOT someone who is lazy and lethargic from a week of lousy eating and no running. She doesn’t need a running partner to bring her down and compromise her training. She needs someone that is equally motivated, focused and committed.

So that being said, the choice was easy. I got myself dressed and at 9pm headed out to the garage to dust off the dreadmill and get myself moving. I was tired, but told myself (outloud, I believe) that even walking for 30 minutes would be better than what IFG was taunting me to do ~ which was go lay in bed and forget about it.

So I hopped on and went. An easy jog at 4.5mph for the first mile; another easy 2 miles at 5.0. A little walking cool down and all became well in my world again.

I was totally mentally refreshed. A 3 mile jog and a good nights sleep, and like I said – I am almost over myself. I feel much better today.

Thanks for the kick start!

I'm havin' an issue over here!

To steal an all-too-applicable phrase from Laura’s blog – my Inner Fat Girl has come to visit.

We’ll call her IFG for short – and I’m hoping that *visit* is the correct term to use and that she isn’t here to stay.

I know for sure that IFG has taken hold of me this week, especially since I sit here typing and munching a Fairytale Brownie – my third one this week. Ever had one of these things? DON’T. They take hold of your taste buds and your psyche and never let go. They are evil little squares of sugar and fat.

I have been an emotional eater all week. And it just fosters the cycle that I set up for myself. I feel like crap and am stressed ~ so I eat like crap ~ then I feel like bigger crap. And the cycle repeats itself until I give IFG the boot and get back on track.

Sometimes that takes longer than others, and this week it has been especially long. I haven’t run since Sunday, but I sure have managed to consume enough calories to sustain a small country.

I have looked in the mirror all week and been disappointed in how my clothes fit, yet I refuse to do anything to kick IFG to the curb. Instead, I keep feeding her and she continues to keep me from exercising….and I end up HERE. Stressed, tired and frustrated.

I haven’t even been near the scale – that would just make me feel worse. It would remind me that I am still 20 pounds over my goal weight and am doing nothing to get myself closer to it.

Of course, I could just sit here and be mad at Marcy….who is able to eat like crap and still be a skinny little thing :P YUP, that’s what I think IFG and I will do this afternoon…..sit here and be disgruntled.

Sooner or later Micheline will come over to my blogland and bust my chops and tell me to send IFG packing. I might even get a much-needed kick in the arse.

Official Pokey Sighting

Move over Big Foot, Lochness Monster, UFO’s and Santa Clause – there has been an even more unbelievable sighting in a heavily populated region of Arizona!!!!

Yes, folks – it was the first, official POKEY SIGHTING to be reported in the area.

It was recorded just over a week ago and the source, although highly credible, felt it necessary to confirm the sighting with the subject involved. This is the account of how it went down:


Observer: Hey….do you run in the area of [insert cross streets here]?

Pokey: Yes, I do. Why…did you almost run over me with your car? [both parties chuckle]

Observer: No, we just moved to that area and were driving home the other night and thought we saw you running down the street. “Bob” said, “hey, isn’t that Dylan’s mom?”

Pokey: [laughs] Yeah, it was me. Was I by myself?

Observer: Yes, and I thought it was strange because it was dark.

Pokey: Yeah, I run at night alone. Crazy, huh?


Some more running conversation ensued, more pleasantries were exchanged and we parted company. This was at Dylan’s football party last evening, and the woman was the wife of his Line Coach.

As the first public sighting with someone actually be able to identify me while trudging down the road (which is a challenge cause I move so fast and can sometimes appear blurry), I was happy with the conversation.

She used the word RUN….I acknowledged….and she didn’t even look astounded! Lucky for me, she must have spotted me at a time when I was actually moving and not stopped on the side of the road to fuss with my Garmin or copping a walk break.

I left the party last night realizing that for the first time, I wasn’t embarrassed to admit to someone that yes, I RUN. She didn’t seem surprised by this admission, and it felt good. It was different from the first few times….way back now…when I was too embarrassed to tell anyone (outside my family) that I was training for a road race. Then when I DID tell people, they were consistently surprised. After all, I didn’t *look* like a runner. And honestly, I still don’t.

But I DO and I AM. And I hope that more people I know see me propelling myself down the street and ask me about it….just so I can tell them that I AM A RUNNER.

Holiday Tag

Get to know your RBF's.....holiday style!! You can insert any holiday of your preference in the list below to let us all know how you celebrate this time of the year! Then TAG five of your other RBF's so we can get to know them too!


Here it goes...


1. Wrapping paper or gift bag? Both – but I don’t do bows

2. Real tree or artificial? Fake all the way....I'm fussy about pine needles in my carpet ;)

3. When do you put up your tree? Thanksgiving weekend

4. When do you take down your tree? Hubby takes it down after New Years when he is home and I got back to work :(

5. Do you like eggnog? Yes – but only the lowfat kind

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Barbie Townhouse and Corvette

7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes

8. Hardest person to buy for? My parents and in-laws

9. Easiest person to buy for? The kids!

10. Worst Christmas gift you've ever received? Nothing comes to mind...I'm pretty easy.

11. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail

12. Favorite Christmas movie? Christmas Vacation and Elf (we've watched them both several times already!)

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Early December

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I can neither confirm nor deny, Senator.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Pumpkin bread and chocolate fudge (although not at the same time)

16. White or colored lights? White

17. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night

18. Traveling for Christmas or stay home? Stay home

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet Cupid, Donner, Blitzen & RUDOLPH. My kids have only listened to that song 3000 times so far this season ;)

20. Angel or Star on top of tree? Star

21. Open presents Christmas Eve or Morning? Both...my side of the family opens on Christmas Eve; hubby's on Christmas morning; our family opted for the Christmas morning tradition.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Holiday traffic, rude people and those who forget the real meaning of the holidays

23. What I love most about Christmas? Making a birthday cake for Baby Jesus with my kids on Christmas Eve and watching their excitement on Christmas morning!


TAG......you're IT ~~~~ Lisa, Pat, Micheline, Nancy and Wes!!!!!

5 on the 9th

WOW, it's been a while. It's crazy trying to catch up with everyone after being MIA for a week, but I'm trying....

This week was crazy. I flew out Monday morning to North Carolina for a week of hustle and bustle business and ultra exhaustion. My weeks spent at our plant out there are filled with 12+ hour work days, combined with late night dinners...and often, a few too many martinis :P This week was no different, except we snuck in a couple of late mornings in to the office and it made it more manageable. I cant exactly complain while spending a week at the Duke Mansion in Charlotte.....it was fantastic. The holiday dinner was taking place there on Thursday night, and I was traveling with my boss (our CEO) and he didn't want to have to change hotels mid-week. So he twisted my arm and we stayed in luxury all week.....instead of my usual Hampton Inn or Mariott Courtyard.

Friday morning we hopped a plane back to Phoenix...arriving around noon and giving me just enough time for a short nap together with my main little man and then heading out to the AZ office holiday dinner on Friday night. This time it was the Ocean Club.....which again is another place that I would be crazy to complain about having to go to. After an 8:30 dinner, my company put us up at the Westin Kierland (are you having any pity for me yet? ;) and I think I passed out there before my head even hit the pillow. Hubby and I woke up Saturday morning, had an early lunch and spent the rest of the day knocking out some Christmas shopping for the boys.

It goes without saying that it was sure nice to pick up my boys and spend a quiet night at home after a long week. I am glad that I don't travel all that often for business (only 4-5 times a year) because I just wouldn't make it.

So after a week of little sleep and a full-on eating fest, I somehow managed to get out of the house this morning for a short run. I hadn't run a step all week as I had planned, so this morning's agenda was just a 5 mile easy run.

It was about 40 degrees when I left my house (chilly for AZ) and I had waaaaaaay overdressed. But imagine my surprise when I stopped about 1.5 miles into the run to adjust some clothing and LO AND BEHOLD......who do I see? LISA LISA LISA!!!! What a sight for my sore running eyes!!! Now this crazy woman had already run 9.5 miles, but somehow agreed to trudge on with me for a portion of my run. We ran almost 3 miles together and then parted ways so Lisa could get home on time. Silly woman, I KNEW she wouldn't walk the half mile back home like she had said...and sure enough, she pulled the Half Mary!! AWESOME Lisa!!!! :P

My run was pretty much so-so......we walked quite a bit during the middle couple miles...all the while Lisa apologizing. She must have forgotten that she has alread run 11 miles and DESERVED the walk breaks......I was just mooching off them out of opportunity :P

So although I missed my 8 on the 8th, I managed 5 on the 9th :) Given that I hadn't run for an entire week, I wasn't too disappointed.

I was pretty pleased that I was able to kick it up a notch on the home stretch....that's like sprinting for Pokey!!!!

I

have no idea yet what this week will bring.....my schedule is full every night except Monday, so there isn't much availability for running :( I'll squeeze a run in when I can and hope for the best. Lisa and I chatted and I think the TRC might try for a 12-13 miler on Saturday. I can't wait to hear all about how Pat ROCKED the Fiesta Bowl Half Mary today :)

Short Run

Distance: 5.0 miles

Time: 1:01:59

Average pace: 12:23

A whole lotta RAIN and RUNNING

Yep, this was the gang this morning...


Of course, Lisa made us wear the bike helmets. Sometimes these triathletes are just SO demanding....


Lisa, Pat and I hit the mudbog this morning, also known lovingly as the canals.....and somehow managed to knock down 11 miles together in the wind, rain and (sometimes) mud.



This of course, was despite my whining and the pained look on my face from about mile 4 and beyond. My legs still had a rough time, and I fatigued very early in to the run. But as any good running buddies would do, the dynamic duo pushed me trudge on. Just like the US Postal Service....not rain, sleet or snow could stop the TRC this morning.


Pat took off like a bandit and held our first mile at an 11:50 pace. Mile 2 was 12:08. Yes, funny enough, these are the fastest 2 miles I have ever run in my life. It was good to find out during the car ride home that Lisa had also taken notice of our increased starting pace and shared some initial concern! But I am the Pokey, so the rest of the miles became much more indicative of our typical LSR pace. And I take full responsbility for the CRASH during Mile 10 :P My buddies had to accommodate some additional walking on my behalf.



And since I was in charge of Garmie this morning, here's the skinny on the mudbog run:

I think I am going to take next weekend off from a long run.....first, because I'm not able to run (schedule wise) on Saturday morning, and second because I think I need a rest. Stop laughing all you serious runners, but for some reason I think my legs are not getting well-rested enough between long runs. Lisa said that maybe I didn't rest long enough after the HM?? I dunno....but I think a break is in order. I am traveling this week also, and won't get much (if any) running in....so I think a 5 or 6 miler next weekend will suit me just fine. I'm sure the TRC will have another long run together the weekend after.

BIG thanks to my running buddies for another great run, and a whole ton of laughs!

Happy weekend!

11.01 miles

2:25:40

13:14 pace

**Okay, so I stole the picture from Pat too :P

When running in the dark, dreary rain, it is always important to have a running buddy with neon shorts :P