Today I ran a nice long 18 miler with Meredith. When we met, she had two water bottles, a fuel belt and multiple powergels with her. She was ready for a long run! She’s still working with her coach, and I’m always interested to see what she has planned. Today was 18 miles below zone 2 ( a 161 heart rate for her). I just wanted to get the miles in, so we set off.
It was a bit chilly this morning, which was perfect. We chatted away, as you’re wont to do while you run for miles and miles… as well, with the heart rate monitor keeping us ‘easy’, we were able to keep talking the whole way 
I’ll admit that my knee started to get a bit sore around 15, but we stopped then for refueling and chatted with Nils and Aisha, and once we started again (and I got over that stiffness that happens when you stop to chat for 10 min in the middle of a run), it felt ok.
It was in the last mile or so that Meredith mentioned that she would miss me. Well, actually I believe she said “who am I going to be competitive with now? I got a coach, and now you’re moving to altitude!” (she’s so sweet…) It’s true, though. I’ve run with Meredith for 4 years now. We’ve been through hundreds of miles together, and even if we don’t see each other for months, we fall right back in stride and I love our runs together. After we parted ways after our run (18 miles in 2:52:04, which is a perfectly acceptable 9:33 pace, particularly with an average HR of 153 [that's recovery run pace]), I felt that supreme contentment and satisfaction I have after a good long run. I am so thankful to have running, and such great friends to share it with. Sure, we can keep in touch via email, we’ll meet up in at least Boston every year, but really, it’s those long training runs that really mean something.
Boo hoo hoo, I have to move to the runner’s mecca, Colorado. But I will certainly to miss some of the things that made me love running: my friends.
Stop making me cry!!!
I got teary reading this entry. Our running clan is very near and dear to my heart. We’re going to miss you, Andrea!!!
I want to put together an “until we meet again” run/cookout at HB. Are you going to be around Sept 27th???
And, are you still committed to the October trail marathon?
HI! I was just thinking about you and wanting to drop you an email. Good luck this weekend, have fun!!
Yes, the 27th will work.. My ‘take-off’ date is tentatively scheduled for the 5th.
October trail marathon?? No.. that otter creek one was in December. I’ll have to see abt the financial implications..
I typed October but meant December (???). I’ll send you weekly lottery tickets. If you hit it big, you can make the trip.
The 27th it is! I’ll rally the troops.
Well my mom and I are looking at RnR AZ in January, so I won’t be going to Canada for the holidays, so perhaps I can swing something.. we’ll see
When did you say you were going to Golden??