easy slow 8 miles today.
I got to put on my trail shoes and run on the trails today. It's been a long time since I've been out on the hilly dirt/sand trails. Since I ran 8 yesterday for my tempo run, I decided to just run slow and easy today. I eventually shut the "speed up" beeper off. I just wanted to run what felt good, not any certain pace. Funny thing was, after I shut it off, my pace increase anyway. I had a good mile warm up before I got to the trail because I had to turn around and go back to lock my car. I realized I'd left it unlocked when I'd run almost .5 miles to the trail head. I guess I'm just glad I remembered at all. Slow and easy, really enjoyed the scenery and being outdoors in the sunshine. It was a little chilly, but by mile 4, I was taking off one of the jackets because 2 was too warm. It was around mile 4.5 that I realized this week I've fallen in love with running again. It's easier to love when it's not 5 am in the dark morning hours. paces were 10:06, 9:48, 9:53, 9:41, 9:28, 10:14, 9:29, 9:18, 9:25 (last .16) The 10:14 was slower because I was checking a text message, calling on my phone, and turning the beeping watch off. On the road, those aren't big deals, but on the trail today, I really had to slow down while I was distracted by technology, so it didn't try and kill me. Our plan was to go to the Thai Pepper for lunch after the run & some shopping. I was imagining a huge pile of Pad Thai on my plate while I was running. It was such a vision of happiness. Needless to say, I was very put-out when we pulled into the restaurant parking lot and saw the sign that read "Closed for the Holidays until January 3rd." REALLY?????? Anger was the emotion for the next few minutes. Then I decided that for my consolation prize, I'd treat myself to an egg nog shake. Totally a calorie bomb that I normally wouldn't entertain. But I deserved it! We drove to the shake shop and after Mr. ordered his corn dog, he ordered my shake, and wouldn't you know it, they were out of egg nog shake. On Christmas Eve!! Out!!!! What the ****????? I had to come home and melt a 2 pound bag of chocolate chips and mix it with anything I could find laying around the house. We had peanut clusters, almond clusters, peanut and almond with cranberry clusters, and other variations with pretzels, popcorn, coconut, and marshmallows. Mmmmm....... It wasn't Pad Thai, but in the morning, the bathroom scale won't know the difference :-) Did I mention that I've fallen in love with running again? I'm looking forward to going and getting some new running shoes in Raleigh this week-end. I just know they're going to be fast! Merry Christmas to everyone!! Happy (running) Trails to all Y'all!
| 