Last night, Big Nat and I joined the Nike Running Club. The group meets every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at NikeTown in Sunset Place. I felt like such the novice runner that I am. Most of the group have been members for years and are real hardcore runners; participating in events all year round all over the world! Great place to socialize… We meet at the store, stretch and run down S.W. 57th Ave. The group runs a max of 6 miles. Run, walk, distance and pace are up to each individual’s discretion.

My training schedule called for 5 miles, so that’s what I shot for. Nat and I started off at a slow comfortable pace. Easy, easy…but by mile 2 my calves started barking at me!!! I slowed down my pace and Nat picked up hers. Could’ve been that I didn’t give myself enough rest from Monday’s run and/or that I did weights yesterday. I stopped at a tree to stretch, power walked and stopped to stretch again. By this time some runners were heading back…and every single one of them smiled, said “hi”, “great job”, or gave me a thumbs up! I love this group…what great camaraderie! I continued walking…then I saw Nat heading back towards me. I thought of what "Peanut Butter" once told me, “To reach your goal, the want must be greater than the pain”, and as painful as it was, I sucked it up and started running…Thank you Nat for picking me up...literally! Towards the end of the run I tripped and fell on construction tape (that is so Mary Ann!). I sprung right back up and finished the run…

My calves and shins feel fine this morning….GOOD. I was afraid I was taking a step back in their recovery. Hope to have a more successful run next week…