Groundhogs

12 miles - It was 12 degrees when we started today, but promises of sun- shine and 30 degrees got our

morning rolling. Someone in the group commented right off the bat, "12 miles for 12 degrees". Woohoo! I had a great run today! I got up extra early and did some stretching at home, had one of my favorite RB smoothies and dressed warmly for the occasion. :-) Ready to go by 7am. The group continues to grow now that it is not only light out when we start our runs, but presumably warmer, although looks can be deceiving some days like today. We realized that for the first time since starting these Saturday runs... we could see our shadows! The last 1/4 mile today, Coach Kevin an I stopped to snap a quick photo of our shadows & the DSM "skyline" across the frozen lake. I felt a bit like Groundhog Day as it reminded me that Spring is around the corner. Except instead of being afraid of our shadows we *hearted* them! Way exciting. I mean WAY. It also reminded us that this was the first Saturday run in two months where the sun was actually out. Ouch. Once again, makes it even more exciting when you do see the sun. So, today was one of those days. I can't even describe it. How wonderful it is to have a good run. Honestly, today I could have gone further had it been on the "schedule". That's not to say that I'm running fast or racing or anything like that. I'm saying a really good steady run, some great chat time, laughter here and there, time to check out the other runners and walker "new on the scene" out at the lake, doing the "dance" around the icy or snow covered areas of the path, story telling, making fun of the city workers slacking, observing the city skyline, marveling at how we are such bad asses to be out running in "weather like this", and a body that feels good the whole way without aches and pains. Nuth'n like it. Next on the schedule? 16 miles next Saturday. Bring it.

Here's a few of us at the end of the 12 mile run. Still standing. Still smiling. As they say at the Leukemia Lymphoma Society TNT office... Go Team!