my run last night started great.  i managed to keep up with the woman twice my age all the way to the top of the bridge.  my head was killing me and i kept telling her i was done but she cheered me on and i made it to the top by her side.  you would think that i should have easily been able to stay by her side at that point because it was then downhill.  unfortunately, my head was pounding so badly from all of the exertion going up that i just couldn’t keep up with her any more.  i didn’t add any distance, just the basic one-lap bridge (3.2 miles).  i made it all the way down the other side, turned around, and slowed to a walk as soon as i started back up.  i was very disappointed since i haven’t had to walk any of it since march but i just couldn’t put my head through more uphill.  i didn’t even try to walk fast; it was slow, dragging my body up the incline.  i started jogging again when i got to the top and met up with hubby on my way downhill.  he turned and started back with me and made a comment about how great my pace was.  i confessed that i had only just started running again but he insisted that i was still on track for a great overall pace.  actually, i think he was right.  i finished in forty minutes.  i don’t remember if i ever timed myself on the basic once-over before but i timed a 5k once a month or two ago when running around the park and it was forty-five minutes.  the bridge is just over a 5k with inclines so i’ve got to think forty minutes was improvement for me.  just imagine if i hadn’t walked!

the bridge runners from last night, minus a few stragglers who showed up after we started running. yes, i am the only one in pants.