I'm back

It has been more difficult than I thought to manage training with working full time. I just don't wait to miss any of the precious little family time there is and the heat does not help motivate me much either.
After Elyse and I did the Mother's Day 5k together, I signed up for a local training group of women who are training either for a 10k or 1/2 marathon in October. The group meets early on Saturday mornings so I can get a weekly run in without missing much at our house except for a Phineas and Ferb marathon.
A few weeks ago, I had a busy Saturday planned so I was rationalizing with myself that if I just did the same distance in our neighborhood (3 miles) then I would save time since I would already be home at the end of the run instead of driving 20 minutes before hopping in the shower. I had almost convinced myself this would ok, but instead I realized that if I did this it would be very easy to make an excuse the next week as well. So I went. And  I was so glad since our run ended as we met up with runners doing the 1/2 marathon for Hospital Hill run. I even got to see a little girl Elyse's age run up to her mom and give her a hug while she was running. I want to do that with Elyse and Noah!
Yesterday, I pretty much decided that I would opt for the 4 mile run that the 10k group would be doing instead of the 6 mile one for the 1/2 marathon. My training has fell short the last two weeks and I just didn't think I could hack the 6 miles. I figured that I would catch up with the long runs at some point-the 1/2 marathon isn't for almost 4 months. Last year, I started as a non-runner and got ready for the 1/2 in Chicago in about 4 months so I am already ahead of the game this time, right?
When I woke up this morning, I didn't even feel like I slept. Our weather radio kept beeping because of the storms all night long. I silently laid there hoping it was still storming so the training run would be cancelled. No such luck. So I got up and tooled around waiting to see if I would get a message the run was cancelled. Oh well, I decided to get going and was as ready as I could be for my 4 mile run.
The group was waiting when I got there, larger than in weeks past because the long run women's group is now joining us. This is a group that just likes to run long distances, not necessarily training for anything.
As we started I found  my comfortable pace in the middle of the pack but found myself slowly falling to the back. I was in my own zone and just decided to do my best. Before long, the 10kers we finishing there 2 miles and ready to turn around. I didn't feel ready to turn back so I just kept going! I did the whole 6 miles and I wasn't even the last one finished!
After the run, one of the trainers asked me if I felt on track for the 1/2 marathon. Hell ya! Once a 1/2er always a 1/2er. I may be slow but I know I can do it and I will try not to take the easy way out again. But I also won't be too hard on myself if I can't make it one day.
I'm back.....