Vassar Rd RAIN RUN

Last week, I was at Sam's Club in Grand Blanc in my running clothes. The Cashier was very friendly and was asking me where do I like to run, backroads or main roads?
I responded backroads and trails. She then recommended running down Vassar Rd, mentioning it was beautiful. She said a KEY word that sparked interest, BARNS.
If you follow me on Instagram you will see I love to post the BARNS I see on my runs.

Sadly, Lacey got the flu and couldn't run. However, not by chance did Joan call earlier in the week wanting to see if we could meet up to run. It was her long run,19 miles, It is actually my long run too considering I will be running alongside Joan for her first Marathon, the Martian Marathon in April.

I made a training schedule for Joan a couple months ago. She is a full time student in Ann Arbor, planning a wedding for June and training for her first marathon. I am so proud of her. She has managed to follow the training plan with such discipline.

Even knowing it was going to be raining on us for all 19 miles, Joan arrived at Krogers eager to run!
Our Route: Out and Back.
Saginaw to Perry St. Perry Rd to Vassar Rd. Vassar Rd to Groveland Rd and back.

RUNDOWN:
Distance: 19.07
Pace: 9:05min/mi
Time: 2:53
Calories: 1,553
Elevation Max: 951

** We had more elevation than I was expecting. Surprisingly, we tackled all our hills for vigor. I really tried to keep our pace down the first 9 miles. Looking at our splits we averaged a 9:20 min/mi. The second half I knew Joan had a lot more gas in the tank. She looked great, she was full of energy and conversation, I thought we could do a negative split.

The temperature was 41' but with the rain it was way colder. It never stopped raining. The rain at one point was coming at us sideways, but then would settle down and just spit at us. We were completely drenched by mile 6, making that second half of our run colder and wetter. I was grateful I remembered a hat, especially when I looked at Joan. She had mascara down her cheek, black and heavy like a Rock, Star. But in this weather and with these miles, she WAS a ROCKSTAR! This was the farthest she had EVER ran. And she was making it look easy.
The last 5 miles were all rolling hills. We were drenched. We were also having to keep bridling back from 8:30 min.miles.
Seeing these digits I knew we had no problem with a negative split.
Todays run was great, rain and all. I can hardly wait to run Martian with her. I am also looking forward to see Fritz rock out the Marathon as well. He has been training hard and has a tight goal as well.
LESS THAN 4 WEEKS AWAY!!!

Really sad for Michelle B. She could use some prayers. She usually runs this race but is struggling with Plantar Fascia.

Happy Running
Anita