WOO HOO!!

I got up this morning, ready to run! It was 82 degrees out, with a heat index of 87. And it was only 6:00am! I know it is going to be hot next Saturday morning (race time is 7:30), so I might just as well get used to it. I am happy because my friend Carol is going to run it, too. She said last week that she wasn't going to, but told me Tuesday night that she was, and offered to pick up my race packet Friday. The pick-up is from 4 to 6pm, so I would have to get it Saturday morning. It is really sweet of her to offer. Of course I am also thrilled beyond belief that Bill may be back in time to run it with me, too! I'm trying not to get my hopes up too much, just in case he isn't able to get here by then, but I would really like to share that finish-line moment with him in person, rather than over the phone.

Anyway, I decided to run a 5k this morning. Just to see where I am. Three point one miles around the Bellview/Green Acres/ Trehanna/Muldoon loop. One loop is ~1.15 miles. It has become my preferred route. I used to just run back and forth on Bellview, but this is much quieter and has a little more shade.

On May 22, I ran the Navy Federal 5k in 35:27. Today I ran my 5k in 32:38!! WOW! That's a 10:32 average pace! I am so excited! I hope that I can keep that -- or improve it -- next weekend. Maybe my 28:00 goal is attainable, after all!

I did have one brief walk at the end of mile 2. I slowed and walked for 6 whole seconds before I told myself to get back in the game and move! I got to thinking at that point. I remember the first day I started running and how impossibly long 60 seconds of running were. I remember being nervous about running 8 whole minutes! I remember running with Bill in the loop around his DC apartment. Three minutes of running, 90 seconds walking. I am sure it was agonizing for him, both to be running soooooo slowly and for such a brief amount of time. But he never said anything but words of encouragement. It was his encouragement and that of my friends that have gotten me to this point! Thanks, babe!!

On a side note, the shop has been doing better the past week or so. I am feeling more encouraged about our long term success and short-term finances.

The countdown is on! Nine more days until my sexy man is back home with me! I will have him for just shy of a week! It has been a long and difficult four months. I am grateful for this break. I know it will only get harder as the length of separation grows. But like I said before, I believe our marriage and our love are strong enough to make it through this. We'll take it one day at a time. I hope the days we are apart go quickly and that time stops for the days we are together. I love you, Bill!