The runner who came in from the cold?

Our family drove to Victoria today to visit my sister, her husband, and my cousin. A pleasant day all told with the highlight for my daughter being a stop in Parksville at the most awesome playground imaginable. It's right on the beach with a water park and a plethora of playground toys. I got some great photos and video there. When it was time to leave, she cried.

It wasn't until after dinner that I went for my run. My cousin "T" decided she would head out on her bike and meet me at the corner of Cook St. and Dallas Rd., and from there ride along side me for the duration of my run. This was a real treat for me, as I always enjoy having someone on a bike with me, it tends to make my mind focus more on the run for some reason. During the run today, I was mindful of focusing on the "moment", that is the present, rather than what I will/should be doing, or how much time I have left in the run. It's a good exercise as I have tended to have some negative self-talk during races or harder efforts. I was just reading about doing this in the latest "Runner's World" so it was on my mind. "T" was great company and a funny story-teller, and I wish I could do this more often.

"T" and I ran (she rode) out and back from Beacon Hill park on Cook and Dallas, along the water, in what was a surprisingly cool and windy evening. Having been given a new sleeveless technical t-shirt from my sister on arriving at her place today, I chose to wear this thoughtful gift; this was the wrong gear today. It was almost chilly! This is August? What about global warming? Doesn't Al Gore have a movie out right now about this sort of thing? I did survive, though on the "back" portion of the run we had to contend with a strong August headwind coming off the water. I ended up being 1:15 slower on the return, though I think it was also slightly more uphill on the way back. I ran ~11k at an ~4:40/k pace (or what felt like it) along an incredibly scenic west coast route.

Finishing the run, "T" took off like a shot heading towards home, whereas I took a more leisurely drive, contemplating turning the car's heater on.