Another easy 3.1 mile run in

I was able to get a short run in on Sunday.  Only 3.1 miles.  The run was at a slow and easy pace, but I felt a lot better than my last run.  My legs felt good.  My wife's friend is just starting to get into running.  She actually went with my wife and watched the two marathons I ran.  After the last marathon, she decided to try running.  I told her I would go out for a short run with her on the weekend.  Since I want to ease back into running that seemed like a good plan.

We went out to Stevens Creek Trail in Mountain View.  In 2008, I used to run this trail often (I would run from my house to the Trail . . . it is about 4 miles away from my house).  From Mountain View to Shoreline Park is another 5 miles.  When you get to Shoreline you can do another 6/7 miles one way.  The Trail from Mountain View to Shoreline is okay.  The good thing about it is that you do not have to stop for lights or cars.  There are a number of bikes and I would prefer more shade (on hot days especially).  Today the weather was great . . . overcast and cool.

Once we started I could tell that I would have to take it easy.  The first mile was about 10:10, but I could tell it might be too fast.  She told me that I could go a head, but I wanted to stay and run with her.  This was only her 3rd run since she started running.  She had not run since high school (I'm guessing about 17 years).  She did great.  We went a bit slower the second and third mile.  I had my Garmin and she was looking okay about 1.5 miles out so I decided to take us to 2 miles out before turning around.  On the way back I could tell she was struggling some.  We went a little slower the last mile.  At the 3.1 mark I told her that we did 3 miles and could walk back.  It was funny because right when I said that she immediately decided to stop.  We finished the 3.1 miles about a 10:40 pace.  I stopped my Garmin and we walked back though we did a couple of appx. 100 meters sprints (that was fun).

I felt really good.  It was a nice easy run with good company.  My legs felt strong and I know that I could have went faster.  It is very exciting to see someone start running.  It reminds me of when I first started running in 2008 after years of not running.  I hope she keeps it up. I gave her one of the books I bought (the Runner's Rule Book . . . which I thought was easy fun reading).