I am soooo glad its starting to warm up. I am starting to feel blah about running the longer distances. Sunday was a nice run with a friend. There was good conversation, pretty woods to run in and some time for me. Problem is, said friend can't run as far as me. I have another friend who runs with me who runs much faster and farther then I do. I seem to be middle ground and am having trouble finding others who are middle ground. For all that I live in an urban area and there are over 150 people in my running group, why the heck can't I find someone to run with me? Do I have cooties? Do I smell bad and don't know it? What the heck yo? I get that running is a solo sport, but people run in groups all the time. I train all week by myself, I am just looking for 1 day. Maybe the warmth will people people out. Races are gearing up and there are always people at those. So yeah, I am a bit whiny. We all get that way sometimes.

The 14k rocked. But I don't think the hubby will be joining me on any more long runs. Snicker! "We have to get up how early?" he asked. "Its how cold out?" and "Really? Doesn't your knee hurt? Why are we doing this again?, oh yeah, You're crazy!" But, he came with me, told me he loved me and wouldn't ever let me forget he came with me, and ran with me-sorta. About 10 minutes into it, he decided I was at the wrong pace and took off on his own, but that's OK. I find I love to have someone to start with and end with but the in between is all conversation in my head. Probably makes me a bit crazy, but there it is. This go round was more focus on my knee. I went with it taped. KT Tape is AWESOME! Wore my layers like a good girl, though I really wanted to be red, white and cute for the valentine's theme. I am happy to settle for warm and comfortable though. So, off I went. Whenever my knee hurt I would focus on my stride and form and counting. Yep, counting. One, two, one, two, my feet it the ground. It the right spots and you don't go down. Focusing on the form also made me a little faster. Better yet, at the end, my knee didn't hurt, I didn't hurt and I was ready for more. Note to self, my husband loves me very much, but no more long runs for him. I am getting faster despite my hurt knee. Better yet, I can beat the pain!

Running a 14k this weekend. Normally, I would be so excited people would be shaking their heads at me; i.e my husband. The side of my knee has been bothering me for about three weeks. I took a week off and just did other cardio then ran 5 last Sunday. I did OK with the 5- sorta. Monday I tried to get back too it, after all, I have a 1/2 coming up in April, but I couldn't even run on the treadmill. I wanted to cry. Not from pain, but from frustration. So in true suck it up buttercup attitude, I went and got KT Tape and plan to push 4 more tonight. If the tape works, I will feel better about this weekend. Being hurt SUCKS! I don't think I have ever slowed down in my life! I played with broken bones, screwed up ankles, probably even a minor concussion. Suck it up was a mantra. Guess I am finally getting old. Damn, my husband was right.