Running for a Reason; Sub-10 Minute Miles

I don't know what happened, but I slept about 11 hours last night!  My husband and I sat down to watch a movie, and I fell asleep on the couch (nothing new there).  I got up briefly to sleepily walk to bed and then slept pretty much straight through to 7:00 a.m.!  This NEVER happens with me.  If I go to sleep early, I'm up before 6:00 a.m., usually waking up two or three times during the night.  You'd think that would make me feel more energetic, but I think I could have stayed in bed all day today.  HOWEVER, there were two reasons I wanted to get up and run today. 

Reason #1:

Welcome to the Team Page of Anna's Army

Join Our Team

Anna's Army Statistics Money Raised Team Suggested Amount: $1,000.00 Total Raised: $1,120.00

A lot of my family participated in this walk in Milwaukee, WI, in memory of Anna.  I wanted to be there so badly, but I was with them in spirit during my run.  Soldiers of Anna's Army have raised over $11,000 in the past year for different organizations with the mission of wiping out cancer (especially pediatric cancer).  This amount is just what I personally know about.  I know a lot of others are donating, contributing, and participating in many activities and fundraisers in her memory.  A little 4-year-old girl has mobilized a whole contingency of people who want to kick cancer to the curb!  Pretty amazing!! 

Reason #2:

From shutupandrun.net, who hosted a virtual run in memory of Sherry Arnold

As I ran, I thought about all of the children who have lost their lives to the dreaded disease of cancer and their families who go on somehow day after day, but are never quite able to fill that hole in their hearts and minds.  

I thought of Sherry, who did nothing more than wake up in Sidney, MT and leave for a run at 6:30 one Saturday morning.  She hasn't been seen since.  It is believed she was murdered by two men who are now in custody, but her body has not been found.  My mother-in-law grew up in Sidney.  It is a small town of about 5,000 people.  If it can happen there, it can happen anywhere. 

I ran, I thought, I prayed.  

I've been working on my "speed" (relative term) since I've started running again.  Last year before I started working on my distance for the marathon, I could run 6 miles and average a sub-10 minute mile for the whole run.  I haven't seen that since.  In fact, a month ago an 11-minute mile felt like death.  Yesterday, my goal was to run 4 miles in under 40 minutes.  My time was 40:18 (so close!).  Today was the beginning of a cut-back week, so I only had 4 miles on schedule for my "long run".  I ran hard, but wasn't really trying to break any records, and I felt pretty comfortable the whole time.  It could have been because I was focusing on other things:

That's an average of 9:51 / mile.  Not great for many runners, but flying like the wind for me.  :)  Not only that, but, to break it down,

Mile 1 - 10:27

Mile 2 - 10:01

Mile 3 - 9:34

Mile 4 - 9:21

I actually got faster with each mile!  Pretty happy with this.

Finally, 

to my sister, Becky!!  Wish I could be there to celebrate with you!!! 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)