Suck it up, buttercup

Last night, we tried a new approach to training.  Instead of running "together" as in running at the same time, but not WITH each other - we actually ran together.  I promised to go a little faster and Nick promised to go a little slower.  We ran together for the first mile or so before I got the evil pain in my side, forcing me to walk.  Nick kept running and then doubled back and ran with me when I started again.  My goal was to keep him in my sights, so when he got too far ahead, I sprinted so I could catch up.  The result was pretty good, my time dropped below a 13 minute mile for a run/walk, which is the fastest that I've been since I've gotten back to running after my sore knees.  I definitely need more work to get through the sluggish feeling and the sore knees, but that will come.  I have to say though, that removing music from the equation has helped eliminate a sense of time in the run, which for me is pretty beneficial.  The jury is still out for Nick. I'm thinking that I'll mix it up, sometimes music, sometimes not and see what happens.