Around Mile 13 of 14 miles on Sunday, I made this observation to Zoë: “This feels harder than last week.”
Her reply: “Yeah, it’s two more miles.”
Okay, so yeah, she’s right. Two miles, which seems like a drop in a bucket when you’re talking about 14, does make a difference. Despite that, we managed a 10:16 pace running by feel (which means only looking at my watch every mile or so instead of every minute or so). We had to slow ourselves down a couple times when we realized we were in the 9’s.
Speaking of speedy…we started Sunday’s run (the first official group run) on the Cedar River Trail with Alma. The three of us chatted away for 5 miles before she turned around and zoomed back to the car finishing off her 10. (We forgot to take pictures with her!) Zoë and I continued to Mile 7 where we encountered a Canadian goose. These big geese freak me out, but Zoë talked me through it. And I totally had her back when we passed the “Nekkid Semi.” Twice.
We stopped to stretch at Mile 7. The goose took to the safety of the river. A great blue heron flew up from the river bank to a tree. I took a picture; it didn’t turn out. But these did:
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| Zoë in matching shirt and RunningSkirt with matching blue-accented shoes. |
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| My fave pink plaid RunningSkirt, pink jacket and pink-accented shoes. |
We turned around for the second half of our run and passed lots of other runners. Zoë wondered if maybe some of these other runners took us less seriously because of our skirts. I hate to say it, but I bet they do. What do you think? Do we look less “hard core” in our colorful outfits? I mean, we did run 14 miles.
Side note: I need a new fuel belt. It’s too big. Good news, but annoying for 14 miles.
Anyway, back to the run. Fourteen miles is harder than 12. Toward the end, both of us even got quiet for a few stretches of trail. Lost in thought. Or, at least, I was. Can’t speak for Zoë. Not that I could tell you what I was thinking about — just random stuff, I guess.
Around 12 or 13 is when we started to get really speedy. Our legs just wanted to be done. Soon enough, we were, which meant, of course, some stretching was in order.
You also tend to get a little…um…goofy after 14…
I’m telling you, that two miles makes a difference.
17 comments
Nice job ladies. I think you both looked great!
Great job! Love the outfits! I can't speak for anyone else, but when I see women running in skirts/coordinated outfits, I figure they know their stuff and had the good sense to invest in the right clothing that would help keep them motivated.
Awesome job on the 14! 2 miles sure DOES make a difference! You are both adorable in your matchy gear.
Hurray on the 14! I agree 2 miles makes a difference. We did 12 instead of the 10 last week and pushed a faster pace for it too. Oh boy! We did it! Since I'm training for my first marathon I'm freaking out about anything longer than a half marathon distance. 2 weeks til my next half and then marathon training full force. So scary!
ADORABLE!! I know you ladies are hardcore.. Hardcore FUN :)congrats on a super speedy 14.. How to join in the skirting FUN soon!!
You girls look so cute! Love the pic of Zoe posing. I would totally take you seriously, especially with the fuel belts! Maybe you need a Ninja in the pack?? 😉
great work out ladies, you are too cute! how awesome to have a running partner!
Looks like you guys had a blast. Great job! 🙂 And who cares what other runners think? If you are comfortable and happy, no one else gets a vote.
I've wondered the same thing about skirts and cute outfits. Once during a trail race, I heard some girls talking about me saying I needed to stop worrying about being “pretty” at a trail race.
I saw/overheard some plain ladies checking me out/talking about me at the St. Joe's Thanksgiving 5k this past Nov in San Diego…”You can get away with stuff like that when you're young.” Pffft! Yes, I'm a YOUNG 38! It's all a state of mind and sadly, they only looked to be in their early 40's – not what I could consider “old.” Why would you age yourself? They were just lacking imagination. [And for the record, I was pretty boring – just a skirt w/ white shirt and striped knee socks! They would have been much more impressed by you & Zoe as you zoomed past them!]
Great run ladies!! And looking gooood!
Awesome job! And might how add how fab you two look? Seriously, though how does Zoe have a newborn?
Woo Hoo!! Awesome job! You guys look great!
If the other runners took you less seriously, it was because you were pausing every mile to pose for the camera and act like models. Just my 2 cents…
It was the perfect day for a run! Too bad I didn't get the chance to chase down that goose…he would make sure not to mess with my running buddy Kerrie!And, for the record, we only paused once to stretch/GU up at the 7 mile mark…the other pics were taken at the end of the 14 miles. We rocked the pink & blue!! And you definitely need a new belt.
Nice run!!!! Crazy how two measly miles aren't so measly…. You guys are doing great with your training!!! I always kind of wonder if people take me seriously when I don a running skirt and my cute socks…my philosophy: Back it up with a mad run!! At least I'm not all dolled up with (a ton of) make up-sorry but mascara is a must if I am in public. But hey, I've been beaten by a girl who looked like she was running for a magazine shoot before… =)
awesome! that's a great pace for 14 miles! You ladies are on fire!