Pulling over to the side of the track...

Okay, Officer, I admit it, I was speeding. I should have noticed you behind me sooner and slowed down, but that second mile just felt so nice, and then I wanted to see if I could make it through with just one walk lap in the middle. Yes, yes, I know I was doing 5.9 in a 5.5 zone. I'm very sorry. I'm only human! I just got a little carried away!

...You're letting me off with a warning? That's very kind of you, Officer. Thank you. I really appreciate that. You have a nice day too! Bye!

Whew! That was close. Good thing he's a runner too.

The track did not initially call the Indianapolis speedway to mind: it was gloomy and gray outside, but the indoor track lighting was on its lowest setting, resulting in an ambiance more appropriate for a romantic restaurant than a track. Norah Jones was crooning dreamily about love lost over the PA system and I just wanted to curl up and take a nap. Zzzzzz.

I hit mile 1 at 10:52, which was about the pace I was looking for, but then I just felt so good I sped up quite a bit on mile 2, running at least 30 seconds faster over that mile. Massive mistake. You should never burn it up on mile 2 of a six-mile run. I don't know what the heck I was thinking. I hit 20 laps, which is about 3.15 miles, at 31 minutes and change. Still too fast. I walked a lap, drank some water, and surreptitiously ate a few orange sports beans (not bad, but I think I like the lemon-lime better). The second three miles did not feel as nice as the first three. The beans seemed to kick in about halfway through Mile 4, and then I felt better for a while, but the last mile was rough. I got a cramp five laps from the end and did my mental recitation of "Train. Endure. Achieve. Matter." for a while, but the last three laps evolved into a simpler chant with each right footstrike: "I. Love. You. Mom." She is still recovering from the shingles and has been in a lot of pain--way more pain than some crummy little cramp.

And I finished. I covered 6.09 miles in 1:02:40 for a 10:17 pace. (I seem to be running at that pace quite a bit lately!) That includes the lap I walked in the middle. Woot woot woot!

I had steel cut oats for breakfast, followed by a Clif bar half an hour before I started running, but I think the eggs and bagel is still the best initial breakfast. I guess I just like protein. There is some protein in the steel cut oats and the nuts I sprinkle on top, but not as much as in the eggs.

Up next: Pilates with Michelle in front of my TV tomorrow, and then ten miles on Saturday! I will make sure I run a lot slower so I don't crash and burn over that long distance.