Dust in the Wind

My friend from boxing is running the Spartan Race here in September. One of the requirements is to be able to run the race - which is approximately 10miles. She did it last year and kicked ass - but is totally worried that she won’t be able to do the running. This girls is like Laila Ali in boxing class, so I have no worries for her - but she was scared. So since distance running is my jam - she asked for my help.

We met this morning to run a few - I told her we would aim for 4 (I knew she had the stamina from class) but if it was too much at any point we could walk, or turn around to cut it short.

I taught her a little about proper form and pacing and we were off.

Um, she runs a mile at a pace like a minute faster than I do.

So I am panting to keep up, my pride getting a little squish, but whatever. So I ask her at 1.5 miles - how you doing? She is like great, and smiling.

2 miles - same answer - but lets push it to run at least 5.

Finally we get to 2.5 so I say we should turn around. She is like Speedy Gonzalez! I was able to keep up, but it wasn’t easy!

She DUSTED me at the end sprinting the last couple of blocks. We ended up doing 5 miles total.

This is someone who told me they “couldn’t do it. 3 miles is scary. It’s too hard” and here she is dusting me, who runs all the time!

It goes to show two things - 1) always good to have a workout buddy for motivation. She said she wouldn’t have gone running at all unless I agreed to go with her. 2) Don’t underestimate yourself! She probably could have done 6 - easily - but was so mentally freaked out by the sound of 6 miles, that she thought she couldn’t!

I was beyond impressed - and excited to have a new running partner!