Zen Run

Half Way through the work week, is a big excitement for me! I had my first class last night, I thought it went really well, and am excited for the semester. I was also by far the youngest person in the room, I was so suprised! Only 2 of the 15 students had been in college in the last 10 years- just to give you some persepective, I am used to being the young one, so per usual I will play it to my advantage.


Now onto the running! My legs continued to be so sore all through the day yesterday that I knew I needed to stretch/roll again once I got home. I did and it made a world of difference last night, my legs finally loosened up for the first time all day. This morning when I got up, they were still tight, but nothing compared to what they had been.

I opted out of the speedwork, I would have had to do it on the treadmill today, and I was just not feeling that. We are having another good weather morning of a cool 77* with a good breeze and it left me yearning to just run outside. I went out with no ipod and ignored my garmin because to be honest I really didn't care. I was treating this as a true easy run, and did not push at all, I wanted to see what my body would do all on its own. I zoned out pretty quickly and before I knew it, it was time to turn around.

Once on the way back, I was passing certain points and thought to myself "I don't remember running through here on the way out" which is whoa strange because I never zone out like that and I didn't feel especially tired either. Once I finished, I checked my Garmin and my times were decent considering I wasn't putting any push into it.

6 Miles- 58:23, 9:43 average pace
Mile 1-  9:49
Mile 2-  9:43
Mile 3-  9:42
Mile 4-  9:46
Mile 5-  9:38
Mile 6-  9:45


It was really nice to just run with no thoughts or cares, I think my body and mind both needed a break from the push today. As we creap towards the peak of marathon training I am really starting to feel the increased efforts: more fatigue, lots of twinges and aches, and my appetite has finally returned. We are certainly on the downhill of this training cycle, and while it has been lots of fun, it is nice to see the light at the end of the tunnel, the taper is getting closer, and as each week ticks off, I find myself getting more and more ready for the couple weeks of decreased mileage I have coming my way.