Saturday - 1st Long Run

My first "long run" of this half marathon training cycle. I'm almost embarrassed to call a 6 miler a long run, but I have memories of when 2 miles required multiple walk breaks. So I try not to take it for granted. You could not have asked for better weather for running. We were at my father-in-law's in the big town of Blacksburg, SC. We took Luke to Carowinds (more on that later). Although it is a little hilly in B-burg, it is more gentle rolling hills and not the shocking 45 degree quad busters I run around in here in Easley. So I felt really good, not to mention that it was in the low 60's. It was one of those days where I felt like I could maintain my pace forever. But, alas, I had to adhere to my 6 miles because we were due at the Carowinds ticket desk promptly at 10 am. I ended up with 6.23 miles at 9:17 pace. I must have started out really slow because I felt like I was booking it for the last 2 miles. Then I got back here on Sunday and read that Shut It and Run ran 18 miles at 8:30 on Sat morning. Nothing like a little cold water to splash on the ego.

The best part of running at "pop pop's" house is his pool in the back yard. I was cruising down the street and noticed movement in the back yard...yep, that's my 3 yr old son at 7:15 in the morning already in the swimming pool (did I mention that it was in the low 60's?). The water was still warm and I went straight around back, took my shoes, socks and shirt off and jumped in. Boy is that nice. The closest our newly constructed development has to a pool is a sign that says, "Coming soon, pool and bath house." I'm not sure what a bath house is, but it sounds like somewhere cowboys used to go to in the wild wild west to partake in the pleasures of the flesh.

On to Carowinds. It was a perfect day for an amusement park trip. 1st stop, Nickelodeon section. Luke got to see Dora and Boots, ride in the Lazytown helicopters, drive a boat, a car, and ride the carousel, all within the 1st hr of being there. We ate lunch (Carowinds food could be improved upon). Then it was on to the water park. I've never seen a kid with a smile stuck on his face for an entire afternoon. We spent most of our time in the kid's pool, until it was closed because, well, its a kid's pool, so you can probably guess what happened. He rode the waterslides, even went in the wave pool and loved every minute of it. I spent all day thinking how great it is, and also looking foward until Luke is 6 and Rachel is 3 and we can all go and enjoy it (I'm looking foward to the roller coasters too). Special thanks to Pop Pop and Gi Gi for keeping Rachel all day and giving us the opportunity to have a special day with Luke.

PS - The picture is Luke and me at Carowinds, could my hat be any more uncool???