Today was not the 10 miles it was supposed to be.
I was excited to run with Theodora, Melissa, and possibly Ali today while we caught up on all the week’s events. I enjoyed my favorite four mushroom thin crust pizza from Vezzo last night while relaxing. 
I cleaned out my Camelbak which hadn’t been used since the marathon. I even enjoyed 8 hours of sleep AND put my clothes out last night before bed.
This morning I tried to eat a banana, peanut butter sandwich but I couldn’t finish it for some reason. Regardless, I was excited and ready to chat my way through 10 miles with Theodora, as Melissa ended up postponing her run. It felt like marathon training season all over again! 
Though we were both in great spirits and the weather was gorgeous, the run was rough for miles 3 through 8. As we were weaving through the outskirts of Chinatown, making our way towards the East River path, Theodora found one of the only ice patches left in the city. Her fall sent both of us flying while knocking a huge city trash can into the middle of the street. Instead of helping, the bystanders just snickered. For a split second, I thought I’d lost my running buddy. Thankful that neither of us were injured more than a scrape and a bruise, we continued running; vowing to finish the mileage together. But, the wind coming off the water today made it feel like we were moving in place. Our splits went from around a 9:45 to a 10:15 for these middle miles.
As you can see, we had enough fun to smile, continue chatting, and snap a few pictures. 
Are we done yet? This wind is about to blow me over!
Yay, we finally see buildings near Theodora’s; that must mean we’re close! 
I took a rest break at Theodora’s apartment which allowed for plenty of Bailey time!
All too soon, it was time for me to head back into the cold ready to sprint home. Since Theodora had sprinted 1.5 miles to my house this morning we ended at her apartment when my Garmin only read 8.75 miles. Therefore, in order to have the “same” run, I needed to run home to finish my 10.5 miles.
I kissed her views and Bailey goodbye one last time before heading out into the wind.
The break did my body good as the last mile and half home were two of my fastest miles of the day, around a 9:13 pace. 
One sweaty and windburn face later, I remembered why I love running with friends.
They keep you going when you want to stop, they make you laugh during the worst miles, the constant conversation makes even the toughest miles fly, their apartments are perfect bathroom breaks, they are there to help you up when you go flying on ice or over a trash can, and they get really upset when random Chinatown people snicker at you!
Now, if you don’t mind I have a long lovely bath to enjoy and a huge bowl of post run cereal and milk.
