In memory of....

I've mentioned in previous posts my friend who has asked me to join her in her C25K training efforts.  We are running mornings together.  Today was a goal date for her.  She wanted to do a 5K today.  That doesn't mean she had to run the WHOLE thing, but she wanted to complete 3.1 miles.  Why today?  Because, today is her grandmother's birthday.  Her grandma was her biggest fan.  She passed away several years ago.  So today we completed a 5K in her honor.  We didn't run the whole thing (we are only 3 weeks into the training program after all).  But we did do 3.1 miles.  It took us about 45 minutes.  We plan to do another 5k toward the end of July just before I pack my family up and move West for a year.  Today was the perfect day.  It was slightly overcast and warm, but not TOO warm.  We started at 6:30am.  After the first mile, it got easier (I've mentioned this before...the 1st mile is the hardest).  And then, as if nature were trying to destroy our moment, it started to rain.  We only had 1/2 mile to go.  We picked up the pace and RAN the final 1/4.  Just as we finished the final push, it started to REALLY rain.  Just to spite the rain and to celebrate our accomplishment, we laughed and walked another 1/4 of a mile.  And, as if in defeat, we finished that bonus 1/4 mile and the rain stopped.  We were soaking wet and pleased as could be.  The rain was a welcome relief....and we decided that if we could run in the rain every time, we probably would.  A little bit of rain wasn't going to stop us.  A lot of rain wouldn't have stopped us either.  It was a wonderful way to start a morning.  I was grateful to be part of it.