8 Miles of Firsts!

Well, yesterday I went on an 8 mile run!  Not only was it my longest distance, but it was also my first ever run at dawn and my first long (more than 4 miles) run on my own.  I was out of town to visit my brother and sister in law with my parents and Meemaw for my nephew's first birthday, so I was sleeping on the couch.  I woke up to my brother saying "Bethney, get up let's go" It was still dark.  He was on a time constraint so i was hurrying to get ready.  Jason fixed the hydration belt for me (I had to use his, I left mine at home).  I got ready and grabbed a Zone bar.  My question... "Is this enough for breakfast?" Jason's response.... "It has to be, lets go"... I had Gu and Sport Beans in my belt.  I was good.  Off we went, I was half asleep and running.  I had phone trouble, had to restart my phone to get RunKeeper to work.  By the time I hit the main road I had to call Jason to see which way to go.  I was nervous about my start. LOL.  Soon after hitting the main road I noticed that the front bottle on my right side wasn't fastened closed and I had water down my right arm.  At 31 degrees that was cold.  It had time to dry :)  I got to about the 1.5 mile mark and my brother had turned around.  He has a recent knee injury and had restrictions. He gave me instructions on the route to take and I was mostly worried about the following statement... "When you get to the top of the hill, turn right.... you'll know when you get to the top of the hill".. YEAH I KNEW WHEN I GOT TO THE TOP OF THE HILL.  My goodness!  At around 2 miles, I worried about getting to 8, but I focused and kept going.  I had some more firsts... running parallel to the interstate (nervous!) Needing to stop for a restroom break and not finding one, etc. I ran over the interstate for the first time.  That was an awkward feeling.  The picture below is with a NEW (curve) sign.  I thought it was appropriate for a new runner on a new length of run to take a picture with.

 I ate 3 beans after 2,4,6,7..... After 6 I was feeling kinda funny... not weak and not light headed, but I felt like my equal librium was off.  So I grabbed a GU.  I hated it last time I tried it, but I discovered yesterday that when its needed it is GOOD!!!!

At about 6.5 Dad and Jason drove by on an errand and checked to make sure that I was ok.  I was !

At 7.5 I got to run back over the interstate! Picture below!

Here is what I have to say about running over on an overpass.... Its better than running under and overpass! (I sprint under bridges to get out from under them).  But when I look down off the over pass it make my butt feel funny, like a roller coaster.

Just after the bridge I had another first! A creepy dog!  He popped out from nowhere and was a very serious looking dog.  Now, Im a dog person for sure.  I have three.  But I never underestimate the power of a random dog on a run.  I slowed my pace drastically, the cars near by slowed down and watched.... I took a snapshot incase he attacked, so we could identify the dog (I'm an over thinker!) He was a very pointy dog as I describe him.... he actually went out of his way to go around me.  Whew! I was glad.  I told myself "if this dog bites me, I'm running the last .3 miles before anyone picks me up.  I'm going 8 miles!

I sprinted my last .1 miles.  I couldn't believe I had done it!  I did it. 8 miles.  I felt as though I was an eternity from the house, actual distance .5 miles... so I took a nice strolling cool down walk back to the house where I had my sis in law snap my "8" pictures and then I cleaned up and enjoyed my nephew's first birthday.  Im sore, but not too bad.  My pace was about 45 seconds slower than I aimed for, but I finished and that is what I headed out to do.  So... next is 9!!!

Nov. accomplished 5
Dec. 6 & 7
Jan. accomplished 8
Feb........ let's see