I got up at 6 am in order to get to my first USTA tennis match.  I was acting captain so I had to set the lineup, collect the money, etc.  Our team is the defending champs but we lost our first match.  However, no one really wants to play at 8am on a Sunday (not even the captains) so we didn’t have our best players.  I paired myself up with someone I didn’t know (I’m too nice, I know).  The first thing she said to me was: “Did the captain tell you about me? I ‘m the weak link on the team.  I’m not very good.” Well, that wasn’t good way to start things off. Unfortunately although I tried to boost her confidence.  She was right.  She wasn’t very good and we lost.  I hate to lose!!!!!

After tennis, I went out to breakfast with some friends on the team.  I couldn’t wait to get home and go for a run to clear my head.

My hubby had other plans.  He wanted me to go to Lowes to help him pick out a new mailbox.  So I did.

Finally I got out there.  It was a gorgeous day.  In the 40s but felt warmer because of the sunshine. 

 I decided to just run straight for 5 miles or so and then run back to my car (that was parked at work).  I was fine for 4 miles until I hit a huge hill.  I could barely walk up it but it was fun running down it on the way back.  I ran my half marathon pace (11-12 min/mi) and was pleased that my first and last miles were the fastest. 10 miles in 1:48— I added on another 1/2 mile to get some coffee at Starbucks.

after my run

One thing I love about running is that you set your own goals.  You don’t have to depend on someone else to reach them.  I wanted to run 10 miles today.  I wanted to to do it in under 2 hours.  I wanted to finish it with a lot of energy and without any aches or pains.  So although at my tennis match I was a loser, at running, I won!!! (I decided to use today’s run for the 13K of the Shake Your Shamrock Virtual Race since I was wearing “Green.”)

On another note – I want to congratulate my best friend’s sister, Ellen who ran the LA Marathon today in the pouring rain!! (1000s were evaluated for hypothemia!!!)

Happy Running!