Sin-full

Yesterday I did my final long run before Grandma's. The schedule called for 8-10, so we compromised with 9 miles. I ran with friends Emdi and Nee, and they kindly let me set the pace. The weather was cool, which was fine with me (I never thought I'd be saying that!) But I find it's easier to run in cooler weather rather than hot, humid climate. I originally put on long sleeves and leggings, but it wasn't that cool, so I changed into shorts and short sleeve, with a vest. I didn't need the vest.

We met at 9 a.m. at the Lake Harriet Pavillion. It's a nice bandshell overlooking the lake, with the ever important bathrooms nearby. On Sunday's in the summer they have church services, and on weeknights they have concerts. It's right by a little marina of day-sailors. No motors are allowed on the lake. In the winter there's an ice skating rink. This is also the meeting place for various 5-Ks, including the Reindeer Run in December and the Valentine's 5K in you know what month.

I got there a little early and warmed up. Then I saw my friends and we discussed what we were going to do. I debated using the bathroom for the third time in a half-hour, then decided against it. I should have known better! Oh, well.

We ran along the eastern shore of the lake, taking a short detour into the Rose Garden. Emdi's son proposed to his wife there. I've driven past the Rose Garden many times, but in the fifteen years I've lived here, have never been in them. It was a nice diversion. Then we headed south along Minnehaha Parkway. I've done lots of training runs there and enjoy this route a lot. There are trees and the paved trail hugs Minnehaha Creek. Plus it's not as crowded with runners as Lake Calhoun and Lake Harriet are. We ran a little past 4 miles, then turned around.

It was really nice to have company on a run for a change. I've trained with Emdi before and like her alot. She's the kind of person who will stay with you, even though she's capable of running faster. And she's full of interesting conversation, which makes the time go by. Nee is Emdi's co-worker and she's very nice, but young enough to be my daughter. She didn't rub it in, though. Both Emdi and Nee are triathletes and are running the Grandma's Half-Marathon on Saturday. I have a really cute picture of them, but stupid Blogger won't let me upload it. I've been trying for two days now!

As we were heading back, I was looking forward to reaching the community center. There are bathrooms there and water to refill out empty bottles. But the center is closed on Sunday. Oh no! Lucky for us, there was a park across the street which had a decent bathroom and a water fountain. Whew!

Back at the Lake Harriet parkway, we "closed the loop" by continuing clockwise. Emdi didn't like that idea, because she thought it would add more distance. But we were halfway around the lake, so it didn't really add much. Towards the end, I did some pickups. Coach Dan said we should do sprints for about 100 meters at the end of the run. I'm not sure why, but who am I to argue. I did two pickups and called it quits at 9 miles.

Afterwards, we went out for breakfast. Gosh, just like a real running group. We were in our sweaty running clothes and walked into a restaurant filled with conservative elderly people, wearing their Sunday best. They seated us in an obscure spot, but they seated us, and we had a hearty breakfast. Carbo-loading to the max. I felt compelled to explain to the teenage girl waiting on us that we were runners. After all, it was Sunday and gluttony is a sin. :-)