Saturday afternoon I waited until the temperature had reached the warmest part of the day -- warm being relative since it was only 21 degrees. Nonetheless, I wanted to get a run in, so I put on fifteen layers of clothes and headed out the door. It was too cold for Nick, so just me and my iPod. I told Stuart that my goal was somewhere between 5 and 8miles, but that I expected it to be very slow and much of it would likely be walking.
Living right off the trails, I can head in virtually any direction and get a decent workout in. My plan initially had been to do the 5-mile "Columbia Pike" out and back, and then if I felt like it head in the other direction for the 3-mile "Van Buren" out and back. As I headed towards Columbia Pike, I suddenly got nervous that I was biting off more than I could chew, and took the detour for the 5K "Bluemont Trail" out and back, figuring that I could do 6miles if I also went to Van Buren. But when I returned and could have turned right towards the shorter run, I realized I was feeling good, so headed left to continue the 5-mile route.
Slow and steady I jogged along, and after completing that 5-mile loop (now 7 thanks to the Bluemont addition), and decided to start towards Van Buren and see what happened. But after a few minutes, I realized the sun was setting, and that while I could have done a 10-mile run, 8 was probably sufficient and so turned towards home.
EIGHT MILES!!! And it felt great! I haven't run that far since the half marathon with Erin last October. Not quite as far as the time that coach called for, but still the longest run I've had in ages. I'm paying for it now, though. Once I thawed out and came down from the runner's high, I realized last night how sore I was from that jump in mileage. Not sure how today's bike session will go as a result, but I'm feeling good.
Before that though, I need to pull my yummy pumpkin muffins out of the oven and prepare for a Board committee meeting. The other surprise is that, as of yesterday morning, I am the new president of the Board of Directors of Girls on the Run of Northern Virginia. I'm excited and honored to have the role, but also a bit overwhelmed as this is a critical crossroads in the organization's growth. And a 10am on a Sunday meeting is a pretty good indicator of that.
2 months ago
1 comment:
I can run much farther and faster when it's cool. I also think sometimes it's OK to run as far as you can, even if it is a big jump in mileage. It's like you're body is saying, "Let's do this!"
CONGRATS Pres :)
PS: Pumpkin muffins sound pretty yummy. I made banana bread myself yesterday...
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