Long run - no lock up

Today was a perfect day for a long run. 31 F, light wind, 6 SE, and sunny. I didn't take any watch and didn't look at what time it was exactly before I left. My goal was to do the 10.4 route (up to the Cambridge bridge and back) without my left ankle locking up. I figured a light jog - just to see if I could 10 and a half without locking up would be a milestone. Even with a light jog I found myself passing people a lot. Once I got to the Mass Ave bridge I heard a runner coming up on me from behind, so I sped up a bit - it's funny, I kept on increasing my pace bit by bit, until I was moving at as fast as a jog that I could really keep up at - and only for a couple of miles! The runner behind me also increased his pace. It was on the stretch beyond the BU boat house heading toward the Cambridge bridge that we were running beside each other. I said to him 'man, we're moving at a good pace!' - he said 'Yeah, I think the last mile was a 6:07'. I told him I was planning on doing an 8.5 - referring to pace - but he said he was planning on a twenty, so I realized he thoughts i was talking about distance and not pace. I let him move ahead. He turned around and gave me a fist pump. I always enjoy those kind of runners - they really help pace you for a bit. It was fun and he sure gave me a run for my money!

On the way back I did take it easy, and though I thought I felt a lock up coming on, nothing ever happened. I was very fortunate! I got home still running fine and no major pains or aches. I'm very grateful for today's good run.