A really fun long run, even though I was by myself. MR had to "play" soldier on base early in the morning and Wyatt was going to a tractor show, so I decided to go on base with MR and run around up there for a change of scenery. I ran so I would always have a place to refill my water bottle if I ran out. It was dark and 6 am when I started out. I ran 5 miles and went back to the car to get my water bottle, gu, and use the bathroom. The soldiers were still all standing around in front of the bathroom, so I took and and found a mini-mart to meet my needs a mile later. It was really cool- probably 55 degrees, and a light misty rain fell the whole time. I got to wear my bright yellow rain running jacket. I took the sleeves off and it was perfect- not too hot, not too cold. The best part of the whole run was when I was on Long Street (it is a long street!) and as I headed east on the road, I saw there was a road block ahead. I was worried they wouldn't let me run by, because they were turning cars around. But as I ran past, no one said anything. Then, I noticed ahead that there was another road block. It was puzzling until I saw the water buffalo in the middle of the road, and the table full of water cups. It was the 3rd Saturday Fun 5k!! And soon I noticed they were all headed straight for me. What happened next I can only imagine was a curious twist of fate. The fast runners passed me and were headed to the turn around point, and all of a sudden, it looked like I had already turned around and was in 1st place!!!!!!! I was ahead the whole rest of the way back to the stadium (where the race was supposed to end). It was tempting to not run into the stadium and break through the tape :-) But alas, I had to keep running. I was only at mile 12, and I was supposed to run 16. So I let those fast teen-age boys get the first place medal. But for those few minutes, I was the winner. And that's good enough for me. I decided to run by the commissary so I could get more water and use the bathroom. I wasn't sure how far it would be back to the car (I was running a loop) but I felt really strong and decided that whatever I couldn't run, I would be okay walking back if I had to after doing 16. I ran past our old house we lived in 16 years ago. It's not even a real house anymore- the door has been bricked over and it's become an "addition" to the townhouse next to it. Kind of thought provoking- like that chapter of my life has been closed and a brick wall has closed it off. Which is okay, since it wasn't really a marvelous time of my life, but it did make me think about the things we did in our home. Boy's first birthday, Baby Girl born, first long deployment, and lots of neighbors/friends. Memories got me through the next few miles, and before I knew it, I was running on the grass covered dirt trail along the road that took me back to the car. 18 miles and I felt good. My legs felt sore around miles 12-14, but the soreness didn't really seem to slow me down. I managed to keep a 9:28 pace overall. The last mile was around a 9:17. Not the fastest, but not the slowest either. I would love to post my splits, but when I got home, I couldn't find my garmin anywhere. I don't know where I could have left it. It's kind of driving me crazy wondering where I lost it. I hope the good luck fairy finds it and sends it back my way. After I jumped in the shower water and washed grass seeds off my legs and changed, MR was heading back to the office after finishing their activities. I took his photo as he walked by. I was standing on a hill above him- he's not really a Hobbit. 
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