Team Sandals & Evening Light

Top 13 things about last night's Team for Kids group run

- Thankful a subway delay did not keep me from getting to practice on time.

- Central Park was just beautiful and perfect tonight. Not too hot and the light was gorgeous. I was overwhelmed with the feeling of how cool it is that I get to run in Central Park a couple times a week during this training. I'd rarely make it to the park otherwise. I'm really grateful for the opportunity.

- I am grateful for the group. I never feel like running, but I allow the group to pull me along and then a mile in my bratty lazy attitude has melted away into "I'm running!"

- Met and ran with a new person: J, a PE teacher from CT who must be in her late 50's or even 60's? Super nice and inspiring, as always, to run with someone older than I. Plus, she'd read Cutting for Stone, so it was fun to talk about Ethiopia with her.

- Ran 6 miles, 2 looong loops on the bridal path, from W. 81st Street up to 102nd Street and back down the East side. Our route was a bit different tonight to accommodate for more mileage.

- Tonight was our last base building Wednesday night run in experienced, intermediate, and beginner groups. No group runs on Saturday or Monday due to the 4th of July (good! I won't be missing those if we end up in Thailand for the next 2 weeks). Speed training and pace groups will commence next Wednesday. Am sorry I'll miss that (if I make it to Thailand).

- Did two hills tonight at the end. New PE teacher friend pushed me to go faster at the very end. I needed a PE teacher in my life at that moment.

- I love stretching when it's all said and done. When we stretch up to the sky I reach to God and say thank you.

- No post run nausea! Whoo hoo!!!

- Treated myself to a chocolate shake, cheese burger and fries at Shake Shack afterward. Oh no she didn't. Oh yes she did! A luxury indulgence I felt I deserved after a couple very stressful days.

- Summer sandal season has been saved! After thinking I'd lost a toe nail around mile 6, I was happy to find out my toe nail was still intact when I took off my shoe and sock while walking to the subway. I was prepared to take a picture and post said-missing-toe-nail on this very blog. You are spared.

- I actually had fun tonight. Running is not always fun for me. And it truly was a stress reliever after a couple tense days of thwarted Thai travel plans.

- There's nothing more delicious than a wine glass of ice cold water after a subway ride home.