Seven

This past weekend I hit a new milestone with my running post injury - I RAN 7 MILES, not walk, RAN!  It has been over 7 months since I have done this and boy did it feel awesome!

Since starting to train for Big Kahuna two weeks ago I have slowly been easing back into running with run/walk intervals.  Since it has been so long since I had a decent run, I didn't want to jump in to quickly and risk yet another injury.  Abet slow, my runs have been going well.  Sunday, Alyssa, organized a "ramen run" in beautiful Golden Gate park in San Francisco.  My long run for the week was scheduled for 4 miles and everyone else was going to be doing 6.5 so I figured I would go out with them for part of the way and then turn around and come back early.

Conservatory of Flowers

The first mile was a little rough - I could tell my legs were a tight but once Garmin beeped at one mile I really settled into a groove.  We stopped at the 2 mile mark to decide the rest of our route.

Everyone decided they were going to go about 1/2 mile further then turn around.  I had planned to turn around here but since I was feeling good I thought what the heck and kept going.  On the way back a few people decided they wanted to tackle Strawberry Hill, still feeling good, I followed.  It was a killer hill but we were rewarded with beautiful panoramic views of San Francisco. 

No, it was not hazy, my camera lens was dirty. : /

After Strawberry Hill it was an easy 1.5 miles back to where we started.  I couldn't believe I ran the majority of the whole run (I took only 3 short walk breaks - totaling less than a mile) with NO PAIN!!  I finished with an awesome runner's high - something I have not experienced in a really long time.

All done!

Final Stats - 7 miles/1:19:09/11:18 avg

Mile 1: 10:19
Mile 2: 10:12
Mile 3: 10:28
Mile 4: 10:45
Mile 5: 13:51 (Strawberry Hill)
Mile 6: 13:21 (Strawberry Hill)
Mile 7: 10:12

Afterward we all headed over to Genki Ramen for lunch (hence "ramen run").  My only experience with ramen is Top Ramen so I wasn't 100% sure what to expect.

the "Yasai" ramen

It was delicious!  Seriously, a perfect post run lunch and yes, I ate all of that!  It was so good and I have been craving another bowl ever since.

This run was definitely a turning point in my training and makes me think I am 99% recovered my my back injury.  I was a little sore the next day but I think that has more to do with being out of "running" shape than my back actually hurting.  This run reminded me just how much I love and missed running!

Thanks Alyssa for planning such a fantastic run (and all the pictures)!