This morning I woke up (super early to my Pacific timed body clock) to run 6 miles along the Gulf of Mexico. My calves were really tight from yesterday’s 10 miler so I planned on taking it easy. It was still dark but, I was going to run along the water path anyways so I was out the hotel door by 6:30am.
I spotted Kelly outside the hotel and jumped in with her for a few miles. She had me going at a 8:11 pace for the first mile!
Finally the sun came up, she kept going and I headed back home. I LOVE exploring new areas on foot!
When I got back to the hotel I found pastries, fruit, yogurt and coffee right off the elevator on our floor. I guess we’re staying on the Penthouse floor so there’s some nice perks!
I made myself a breakfast and enjoyed it on the balcony.
I know I am so lucky to be able to travel and see all these amazing places and people. I’m very, very grateful this morning.
I couldn’t enjoy the views for long because we had a group run schedule with Chris Lieto himself! We donned our Refuel gear…
These are the other bloggers on this trip (minus one): Kelly, Ben and Michelle
Then, we took off! Chris joked that we were going to do an easy 5:50 pace to start. 
Well, I thought he was joking. I learned that’s his serious face when the guys took!
Actually, they were going about a 7:30 something pace to start, but I only go that fast in a car. I held on as long as I could until I got my ass handed to me and slowed down.
This is Monica.
This is Monica getting her azz handed to her being lapped.
It was 4 miles of humiliation. So, I decided to drown myself in the brown waters of the Gulf of Mexico. 
But the team convinced me not to give up just yet because there was a light at the end of the tunnel….
And it involved chocolate.
Seriously though, my baby cows are SUPER TIGHT from yesterdays run then plane sitting for hours. I’m hoping the makeshift ice bath in the water will help a bit?
And running with Chris and the guys was an eye opener. I was about to hold a 7:30ish pace for 1 mile at least! I need to get it together.
From there we were off to lunch, the expo and press conference. More in a bit!
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Is that two runs today? Hell yea!
I absolutely love Chris Lieto! I can’t believe you got to not just meet him but RUN with him. It would be so cool to workout with a pro-triathlete! Hope you are having fun!
You mean watch a pro-athlete workout as I die trying to keep up
Yeah, it was cool.
You ate better than I would have. I would have grabbed that chocolate muffin in a heart beat!
Thats a great run! Very cool that you could experience it
That’s a lot of miles in two days, nice work
im so completely jealous. completely.
This looks like so much fun! I would love to travel like you do.
oh you’re fine!! 7:30 pace is insane dont even worry about it!! u run so much you’re in a league all your own!
I love you call them your baby cows. When I ask Hubby to rub them, I make them moo. Is that weird?
Not weird at all
What a great opportunity for you! Looks like you are having fun.
Also, don’t you worry about running the dark?
I would have had my ass handed to me too. Damn that’s fast! Great job and great attitude:) xoxo H
looks like it was a good time! Enjoy the beach for me pretty please!
That had to have been awesome though, to run with Chris. I see him on the Kona coverage every year!
The Kidless Kronicles
I love Galveston! I live about 2 hours away and it is the closest beach that isn’t disgusting. (I know what you are thinking, but you should see Louisiana beaches…gross!) I’ve always wanted to run the seawall, but have never gotten around to it.
How awesome is it that you got to run with Chris Leito?!? SO jealous, he’s one of my sports heros!
And DON’T be ashamed about struggling to keep up with him – the man wins Ironmans, MOST people can’t keep up with him
You both would have left me eating your dust!! Looking forward to reading more about your trip!
7:30? I have to pick myself up off the floor and remember yet again that not everyone jogs at a 10:00 pace and then gets bored and starts walking after about 30 seconds.