March Madness Motivates Matt

I went to sleep at halftime for the Duke/Arizona game. I really didn't want to stay up late just to watch Duke win. I had a minimum of 3 miles to run before work and knew better than to stay up way past 11.

So when I woke up this morning and checked the score I was bummed that I had missed the Duke loss. Not that I hate Duke or anything, it is just always fun to see an upset.

But somehow that energized me for the morning. I thought to myself, "I gotta get down to the weight room (in apt complex) and turn on Sports Center for the highlights. I wonder if somebody got injured?" My plan, as it is most mornings if I wake up early enough, is to do a few weight exercises and then head out for my run.

I didn't get down there until about five after 6, so I missed the big story. I caught some other highlights including Butler's upset - March Madness at its finest. By 6:25 I was outside and the Garmin was locating satellites while I got the iPod queued up.

I felt good and figured I had enough time for 4 miles and get back home by 7 for ESPN to do another game recap. The temp was cooler than it has been, 38 degrees as opposed to 55+. No Doubt's greatest hits provided the background music.

"I'm Just a Girl" "Hey Baby, Hey Baby, Hey!" "You got me feeling hella good So let's just keep on dancing".

I did not look at my Garmin until after the run. "Looky there! Negative splits," aka a progression run: 8:00, 7:30, 7:04, 6:57. Not too shabby. It must be the combination of March Madness (tonight it is hoping the Kentucky Wildcats can replicate the Arizona Wildcats upset), a Friday, and slowly beginning to believe I can train for a 3 hour marathon. I always feel faster when it is cooler out too - maybe because I'm just trying to stay warm.