LADU

I powered through my long run today. I had a lot of i-don’t-wannas before I left — mostly because it was raining — but I still got out there and did 10 miles.

For a little confidence booster, I did the bike loop for the LADU. Eight months ago, it took every ounce of effort I had (plus 3 cups of coffee and 2 cliff bars in the morning) to bike those 14 miles in an hour and 30 minutes — I came back in last place, with the police end-of-race escort behind me.

I remember looking at the men and women who did the whole duathalon (I was on a team and just rode the bike portion) and thinking that what they were doing was completely inhuman. Now I look at it and I have no doubt it my mind that I could not only a) finish it myself, but b) come in some place before last.

So here I am, 8 months later, in the rain, running the whole thing. Well, almost. I took short cuts to and from my house to make it only 10 miles. But I did it and those hills? They weren’t so bad. And I ran it in not that much more time than it took me to cycle it (sadly).

It was raining so much. That didn’t bother me, but I brought my iPhone and my bluetooth headphones out with me for the long run and I’m afraid to turn them on again. I was COMPLETELY soaked coming back.

Because of the rain, I did 75% of the run with no headphones. It wasn’t hard at all, in fact, I think it’s even starting to get easier running without music.

ChiRunning continues to be an awesome book. I ran 10 miles with 0 pain anywhere. And even at a respectable pace!

Pattie Reaves

About Pattie Reaves

I'm a new mom and renegade fitness blogger at After the Couch. I live in Brewer with my husband, Tony, our daughter Felicity, and our two pugs, Georgia and Scoop.