Remembering and celebrating...

Today is Memorial Day.  It is a day for remembering those who sacrificed on behalf of each American so that we may experience freedom and liberty.  We remember those who came before and those who currently serve.  We celebrate with cookouts, parades, wreathlayings and concerts.  Today I celebrated with my own Marine, who spent all of last year deployed in the war zone. 

We started the day together adding a few to the running log and enjoying the views that only Annapolitans can find.  I took Jay out to Greenbury Point...a trail I've blogged about before...for his first run along Mill Creek, Carr Creek and the Severn on this particular path.  It was a great morning.  The temps weren't horrible, the paths were deserted and (atypical of us when running together) we chatted throughout the whole run.  I rather enjoyed kicking off the day in this manner.

Post-run Jay and I hit the shower, then headed off for an early lunch and a couple hours at the pool before I had to head off to the airport for a short trip to Tennessee.  It was a day to be grateful for.  Thank you Jay and thanks to all our service members...yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Stats -
Miles:  6.01
Time:   54:49 (average pace of 9:07 per mile)
Location:  Greenbury Point
Feeling:  happy

Faster than a marine...

This morning I dropped Jay off at work and, having limited ability to change my clothes or shower without using the gym, set off to run on the treadmill instead of outside in the 50 degree sun. Well, not the best decision, but not running because I wouldn't be able to shower would have been worse. So I laced up for my third treadmill run of the week...geez, for someone who hates running on the treadmill I seem to be doing a lot of that lately.

I take solace in two things - I maintained a faster and more consistent pace (and ran longer) than the two male marines to my right and also I way outpaced the female marine to my left. It always feels good to leave the few and the proud in my dust :)

Stats -
Miles: 4.01 (plus 1.3 mile walk in cool down)
Time: 33:35 (average 8:22 per mile for the run)
Location: Area 2 Fitness Center, Camp Lejeune, treadmills
Feeling: Competitive