My post-10km glow!!! (note the bad boy pres in the background I didn't have the heart to crop him out of the photo) LOL

Today I proved to myself that my brain is the most powerful part of my body. I can absolutely convince myself to do anything (if I really want to).

Less than 10 months ago, I literally felt like I could taste blood after running 100 feet during my first attempt at jogging. This morning I ran 10 kilometers in 1 hour, 1 minute and 28 seconds (even though over half the run was on an upward incline or up steep hills)! When I set out this morning, I had the goal of accomplishing the run in an hour and fifteen minutes so to achieve this in just over 1 hour put me on a high like no other!

It was cold this morning when I first set out and the first kilometer of my run I honestly asked myself why I decide to do 10 kilometers today. But I knew if I didn't, I'd disappoint myself. And really today is just as good a day to do 10km as any other. Even thought there is frost on the ground and my lungs were struggling at first with the cold air, the birds were signing, the sun was out and I'm the most fit I've ever been in my life.

I never realized until I started running how hilly my neighborhood is... but I actually enjoyed keeping a steady pace on the moderate inclines and then trying to "gun it" up the steep inclines (obviously I'm a freak)! I'm going to try 10kms again next Monday, but do it on the boardwalk instead, just out of curiosity to see what my time difference is when I don't have hills to conquer. I'm sure it will be somewhat boring considering I'd have to run 13 laps... but it will be fun to try.

Here are the official stats:

Distance: 10kms (almost to the millimeter)
Time: 1 hr, 1 min, 28 seconds
Average heart rate: 158
Highest heart rate: 186
Lowest heart rate: 109
Calories burned: 1381

The most entertaining part of my run was jogging past a construction site. There were about a dozen guys putting in a new foundation and as they saw me approach the site... all of them (and I'm not exaggerating every one of them) stopped what they were doing, stopped talking, turned away from the foundation to watch me run by! I was tempted to blow them a kiss or wave... but actually I was a bit embarased but flattered at the same time so I just watched them from the corner of my eye (acting all cool like I didn't notice them notice me *hahaha*)! I had one of my favorite bad boys playing at full volume so I'm not sure if there were any cat calls... but I won't lie... it felt good to make this many men stop what they were doing... especially considering that most of my life I've felt invisible to the opposite sex. Even though I'm married... I'm still human... and to know that I can have this type of effect on an entire construction crew (at 35 years old) makes me feel great.

When I got to the top of a steep hill with only 1 kilometer left to go in the run... I could see the roof peak of our house... it was a beautiful sight! When I reached our cul-de-sac the only thing missing was a ribbon with family and friends there to cheer me on. I couldn't believe I did it... but at the same time I knew I would because I never give up (it's just not my nature)! I've come so far in such a short time... the mind is a powerful thing! Maybe I will start running ½ marathons after all... time will tell. I've always been strong willed and determined... but I never realized my body could work like a machine too!

The best part of the run was how proud I felt after I was finished... for pushing myself to a new level of running.