Sunday, November 22, 2009

6.2 Miles of Smiles

Yesterday's Run: Road/Linear Trail. 51 degrees. 6.2 miles; Splits: 9:24; 8:55; 9:13; 9:12; 9:03; 8:56; 1:39. 56:22; 9:04/mile average pace.

I was going to take it easy and go for a 5 mile run on the Farmington Canal Trail yesterday. Since I'm three weeks post NY City Marathon, and my next two races are 4.75 miles and a 5K, there was no use pushing it. My goal for the rest of the year has been to ease back into running, work my way back up to running faster five mile and less runs, and most importantly to enjoy running again. Yesterday's run was a good start. Although my pace was slower than I wanted to run, it felt great. I parked at the trail and immediately changed my plans to running randomly on the roads near the trail, and then rewarding myself by completing my run on the trail. I still had a five mile run in mind, but also knew I could trick my brain to run further by running the road part before the trail. It worked. I love wearing my Garmin since I don't have to plan out my run ahead of time. I can run wherever I want, and so I did. I ran down side streets, through two condo complexes, and along back roads and through neighborhoods. I waved or said "Hi" to everyone I saw, and most people responded. I made sure that I listened to the songs that are on my mp3 player from your suggestions three weeks ago. I LOVE the songs you guys suggested, and they provide more motivation for me as I run. It was great to wear my NY City marathon long sleeved tech. shirt, and shorts. I had a stupid, goofy smile on my face the entire run. Yes, I had that much fun. Plus I ran on November 21st in Connecticut wearing shorts. That was an extra bonus. I think I'm finally OK since my last whiny post. Thank-you everyone for your comments. I needed to vent, you guys commented, and I feel better. Running is fun again. I'm looking forward to the Manchester Road Race (4.75 miles)on Thanksgiving, along with 10,000 other runners and about 20,000 spectators. It's a very crowded run, but I'm in a seeded area closer to the start, so I should be ok. I've gotten good at navigating through the crowd of runners there the past two years. I'm hoping to beat last year's time, but I'll have to see if my legs agree. As long as I have fun, then that's all that matters. Maybe I'll have a shirt made with some weird saying and wear it on Thursday. Anyone have any ideas? Happy running everyone, and I hope anyone out there running the Philadelphia Marathon today does well.

10 comments:

Mel-2nd Chances said...

sounds like it was exactly the type of run that you needed :)

Irish Cream said...

Yay, so glad to see this is a much happier post!! :) Now I'm smiling too! Let's see; for the shirt, how about "sweet as pumpkin pie?" Mmmm . . . pumpkin pie! Or "Run, nap, pig out, repeat." Or "I'm a breast man" (with a picture of a turkey, of course--have to avoid being creepy!); or "I'm a thigh man"--same idea. Ok, that's about all I can come up with! Hope that helps.

Jill said...

Don't you just love runs where you are just free and just last minute, decide to go this way instead of that way. So liberating - sounds like it was great!

Unknown said...

Let's see...a shirt with a weird saying...how about, "I'm here to gobble up the miles!" Err, sorry. I tried. Just trying to get in the spirit! Have fun and nice run, I love your title, 6.2 Miles of Smiles and the comment that you said hi to everyone. I always try to do that too, it makes me happier!

Rookie on the Run said...

Sounds like a fun time! I'm glad you are back to enjoying it again. :)

OK... shirt slogan... I like Irish Cream's (turkey) breast idea.

Or maybe "Bet my dinner wished it had fun faster!"

Rookie on the Run said...

Oops... run faster. Not fun faster. :D

Tara said...

I love runs where I have a smile on my face the entire time. Those types of runs are usually trail runs where I don't give a crap about my pace or mileage; I'm glad that you had a great run though!

Not sure about the t-shirt; how bout "You can't eat what you can't catch."?

Lindsay said...

glad to hear you are getting back to it and enjoying it again :)

i like irish's ideas - "i'm a breast/thigh man" lol.

Lisa said...

Sounds like a great run. Welcome back.

Anais said...

You could make an Operation Beautiful t-shirt! :)