One week later

I stood at the starting line to the Run for the Water 10 miler wondering what I was doing there one week after the marathon at 7 AM on a Sunday morning. "Well I thought just have fun and let the chips fall where they may." I looked for KB and Nathan before the start but couldn't find them so eventually wound my way to the starting line and waited shivering but knowing once I started going I would be fine. This was a smaller run with about two thousand people so when the gun went off I got swept up in it and started moving to the beat of those around me. At mile one, I knew I was way ahead of my usual pace. "Great, I don't want to be one of those people who goes out too fast and then gets passed by everyone at the end." I thought. "Oh well, I'll just have to keep running hard." I knew the route as I ran it the weekend before the marathon and knew it would be hilly. I felt good though. At the first water stop I saw one of my coworkers and gave her a high five and then just enjoyed the rest of the ride. I knew once I was back on Lake Austin, about mile 7, it would be smooth sailing so I kept my eye on that prize. Once I got there I just kept my feet moving in rhythm and enjoyed those around me. I knew I would see my coworkers again at the mile 8 water stop and had fun giving them high fives and then tucked my head down for the rest of the run. I kept looking at my watch and I was holding 8 minute miles and knew my parents were at the end so this had to be a strong finish. I rounded the last corner realizing that I was just under 8 minute miles if I could pull it in strong and that I did (1:19!) Hooray - it was my best run to date and I felt wonderful.What accounts for it? There has just been a joy I've been feeling with my running and that has given me the added spark I need as well as excitement of discovering places I've been able to reach that I would not have thought possible not that long ago.