In good company

Sitting on the couch, tired from a weekend of running - the exercise kind and life kind - I realized that I not only logged 18 miles but each step was with others.

For someone who has been a proclaimed solo early-morning runner, it's a pretty big deal. A refreshing, exciting, invigorating big deal.

Saturday morning, I taught my regular class and with each track passing, I grew more and more excited about my impending run date. I was meeting Kim and her wee ones - Leo and soon-to-arrive baby girl - for a few miles and lunch.

We live close enough that there's no reason for us not to see each other but just far enough that a meet up requires some planning. I guess so much so that this was the first time we actually ran together!

It was a blustery day as we set off on the trail, which went from pavement to grass to single track through the woods within a half mile. I was the picture of a role model, tossing lollipops at Miles as we went and requesting picture breaks along the lake.

In all, we covered 3.25 miles at a 10:30 pace, pretty rad considering the terrain + strollers + a baby in tow for one of us. (Don't get excited. As I say, this year, I picked marathon No. 2 over baby No. 2.) We celebrated with Nutella + Jam sandwiches and Trader Joe's cookies.

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The joy in sport and life the run date brought me would have been enough to carry me for weeks but I was lucky to meet up with a few run clubbers for my long run. I stepped outside my comfort zone last month when responding to a Facebook page post about a long run meet up and I am so glad I did. I've met some encouraging folks who are good at encouraging me and pushing me to be better.

This morning, we had 12 miles as two of us logged the last double digits before Veterans. The air was crisp, the leaves on fire and the fog hanging over the river. The path was familiar but seeing it all this morning was a great reminder of why I run - to go places, to see things I wouldn't otherwise.

The run felt good, and I had a great time chatting about my alma mater and the race, tactics to keep Miles from bopping me in the nose and the best mile for Twizzlers on Nov. 9. I vote 14.

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And in all this running fun, there was still a 5K to be run. Sunday afternoon. Following the morning 12 miles and a trip to explore the new Costco.

It's the fall race around here but only the first time I ran it. Gorgeous course. Lots of people. And not the awesomest feeling after the day. But fun. Or something like that. Plus, I ran a 27:51 with absolutely stellar negative splits.

Bonus: I got to run it with Mark. In theory. As he ran a 20:54 and placed second in his age group. So proud.

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How was your weekend running? Was it in good company?