5 January 2008
Eight Miles?! (And a HI!! to Heather and Kim!!)
Posted by Julie Hurley under: Julie Hurley .
Yep, I ran eight miles today. I am so proud of myself.
I met up with Run Gazelle at 8 a.m. this morning at Aquinas’ Fieldhouse. I was intending to run the five-mile out-and-back, but felt so great at the 2.5 mile mark/water station that I wanted to continue. So I did.
The eight-mile run followed the Reed’s Lake loop, which I’ve ran twice before. I was alone and pretty confident of where I was going. But as I made a few turns, I started getting confused and unsure of myself. I saw a group of runners turn off onto a side street that I was sure I wasn’t supposed to go down; they were running the 10-mile loop. I continued on and could hear cars driving along East Beltline. I turned onto another side street, and saw a sign that said “Not a thru street” and started panicking. Where the crap was I??
I started back down the hill and saw two lone women runners. I called out to them “Hey girls…are you with Run Gazelle?” and they said “Yeah!” I asked if I could run with them, and they were more than pleasant about letting me join them. I learned that their names were Heather and Kim (hi girls! hope you read this!), and I had SUCH a great time running with them. I had been really looking forward to running with my iPod this morning, but realized that part of the reason that I do enjoy running is the social aspect. I’m not the most outgoing person on this planet, but I can find myself rambling on and on while running. Both women had ran the 5/3 RBR before, and Heather had ran three (I think) marathons, and they were both so very encouraging after I let them know that this was going to be my longest run ever.
I actually felt great physically throughout the entire run until the Aquinas Fieldhouse was in view. I started feeling a weird stabbing pain right in the center of my right kneecap, and told the girls go go ahead - I really needed to slow down. I had pushed myself as far as I was comfortable with that day. I finished up the run with a time of 1:22, which included two water stops, and time wasted when I thought I was lost. I’m pretty sore now, but I’m feeling more and more confident and excited about running the 25k. It’s exhilarating running long distances, and I still can’t figure out why.
I NEVER thought I would run eight miles in a row, but find myself looking forward to running nine. I want to thank the Road Warrior program once again for giving me the perfect platform in which to push myself to limits I never thought I could reach.
13 Comments so far...
Shelly Says:
5 January 2008 at 9:47 pm.
Congrats, Julie! Wait ’til you hit that first double-digit run! You will never forget the great feeling it gives you!!! Sorry I missed you all this morning! 
Shelly Says:
5 January 2008 at 9:47 pm.
Btw–how is your knee doing now?? I hope you got some ice on it and it’s feeling better!
Julie Hurley Says:
5 January 2008 at 9:59 pm.
I’m sorry you didn’t make it either, but I’m jealous of the sleep you got. I haven’t slept in for 2.5 years. Hmmmm, that’s right around the time Bodin was born. Go figure! Knee is fine now. Weird thing. I’m way beyond exhaused, though. Going to bed early. I plan on going for a run tomorrow morning. We’ll see how it does then. Thanks for asking!
Shirl Kohl-Martin Says:
5 January 2008 at 11:41 pm.
Congrats Julie! This is AWESOME! Running gets better and better with every mile you log!
Great Job!
Shirl
Terry Says:
6 January 2008 at 10:27 am.
Great job on running your first eight miler. I hope your knee is better today. The feeling of accomplishing long distance miles are something you’ll remember for the rest of your life. Like where you were running that day, what the weather was like, and who if anyone you were training with. I call it a life changing experience.
Keep up the great training.
Terry
Nick Katsarelas Says:
6 January 2008 at 10:42 am.
Way to go, Julie! If you’re doing 8 now, 15.5 in four months will be a snap!
Steve Kelly Says:
6 January 2008 at 11:37 am.
Julie you studd! ROAD WARRIORS!!!!! Congratulations, hope the knee is feeling better.
Maria Says:
6 January 2008 at 6:37 pm.
I also ran with the group on Sat. morning. My first time with the group. I just joined rungazelle. It was a good run around Reeds Lake, I ran the 10 miles.. I love reading your blogs. Keep up the good work!!
Bob Estes Says:
6 January 2008 at 8:31 pm.
I got lost the last time I ran around Reeds Lake as well. Only, I got lost in the Aquinas campus. Yeah, that takes some talent!
Congrats on completing 8 miles. You will easily be able to complete 25k when May rolls around! You got it - no problems!
Deb Says:
6 January 2008 at 11:01 pm.
So excited for you Julie…….big congrats! You will have no problem completing the 25K! You’re awesome road warrior! Go girl!
Julie Hurley Says:
7 January 2008 at 11:15 am.
Thanks everyone!
And, HI Maria! Thanks for reading my blog. You’ve made me realize that there are other people out there besides my fellow Road Warriors who read these things.
Hopefully, we can meet each other at one of these Saturday runs. I’ve only ran with rungazelle twice, but I’ve learned it’s a great group!
Magee Johnson Says:
10 February 2008 at 11:05 pm.
Hi Julie! I assume this is formerly Julie Martin from JHS class of ‘96? Magee Miller, now Johnson here. Congrats on your training!! I am also training for the RBR, only in Ludington. I’d love to hear from you! I started running after my little guy was born and am loving it too! Hope your injury heals soon, I know it’s heartbreaking after all the hard work. Best to you!! 
mischievous ancestry Says:
20 February 2008 at 8:22 pm.
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