One small step for man...

....one giant leap for Michael. Wow, pretty bold of me to use a quote from the 1969 moonwalk to describe my run today isn't it? I mean it isn't like I walked on the moon or anything - THAT was huge. That was Neil Armstrong, steppin big on July 20th 1969. With America behind him he did what no man before had ever done - that must have been some feeling. Can you even imagine the excitement? I might have peed. Zero gravity and no Depends...not a pretty picture.

He didn't do it alone though. Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin was on the surface with him and Michael Collin was in the command module orbiting the moon. Each of them had specific functions to perform and working together they made history. I remember seeing it on TV and then looking at the moon and never seeing it the same again. We forget sometimes the bravery of these men. Shove them in a rocket and blast them to the moon. Slide on down to the surface, have them walk around, then zip back up to connect to the main ship and then haul booty back to Earth. Sure, that doesn't even remotely sound crazy does it?

Today the giant leap was mine. Over the past few weeks I have been increasing my Sunday run from 5 miles to 6 miles and last week 8. The goal today was 9 miles and three hills. Nervous - yes. Excited - yes. Pack of Depends on standby - no (I'm not 50 yet). What a beautiful day to run. Slightly warm and nothing but blue sky. I fueled up, covered my head with sunblock, and met up with Sharon and Albert for the three lap wonderland that had already increased my heart rate in anticipation.

Lap one wasn't too bad and the first hill actually felt a tad easier than the week before. Maybe my fitness is a little better or maybe I simply don't fear it any longer - I'll take both. Sharon was my Buzz Aldrin today. However I'm sure Buzz never ran in a sports bra with "Just Do It" across his, ah...his, ah...spacesuit. Sharon stayed out front for most of the run and hitting the hills I could focus on her and not look beyond at the length of the hill in front of us. Mentally it was a big help and the only downside is that when I close my eyes I still see "Just Do It".....

Mission Control was Albert. He was at my side talking me though the run. Whether it was a hill, flat, or decline, he was the voice in my ear making sure I stayed on track. "Drop the pace....run on the balls of your feet (uphill technique)....relax your shoulders....you're doing great....good form"....Astronauts never had it so good.

So with the help of my "Buzz" and "Mission Control", I covered 9.58 miles at an average pace of 9:15. I would have jumped for joy at the end of the run but my legs felt like lead and we have gravity down here. Once again I thank my partners. They could have ran faster today. Could have ran further today. Could have but didn't. Instead they gave their run to me. Two things came clear to me today. Running buddies can get you through anything and I'm a lucky guy....