Before I get into a rundown of today’s long run, let me recap the last couple of weeks. My 15.1 long run planned for Monday, October 5th turned into a poorly planned late evening run that ended in just under 12 miles. I literally had to stop at a Starbucks three miles from my house and wait for my daughter to pick me up! Ha ha… The problem was that I didn’t go in the morning and waited too late in the day to start. My body was already tired from all that fills my work/school day and the night crept up way sooner than I had anticipated. Regardless, it was a nice comfortable pace throughout, and I enjoyed running my new route through my neighborhood.
Weekly runs have pretty much gone as planned (3-6 miles each), and my gym visits have been great as well (2-3 visits a week). I have added more weight resistance exercises and that has helped break my weight plateau. Finally!
Unfortunately, my next long run (also 15.1 miles) was missed the week of October 12th. I simply had too much going on with family and school that week, and I refused to stress and try to squeeze everything in. I would have bombed that run for sure, if I did that. I am slowly learning to listen to my mind and body and stop to rest and enjoy life when needed.
With much rest, I was ready for today’s long run for sure. My plan called for 17, but I would have been happy with completing at least the 15.1 missed previously. I did not go to the lake but took a different route near home. Great idea! I finished with 16.3 miles, because I underestimated my route, but that’s okay. It was a great early morning start and fantastic pace throughout. It wasn’t until I got home that the sphaghetti legs set in. My calves and feet are still throbbing, but it is GOOD pain!
It was almost 7 a.m. and still dark, so I took my headlight (used around my waist as a belt). I stocked my hydration belt with water, 2 packs of GU, and a left over strip of hydration gummies. I also took my mace and debit card, just in case I needed more hydration along the way and needed to stop at a gas station.
My view along the way was awesome! It was so interesting to see how I went from urban to ranch life within the first two miles from my house.
Needless to say, I stopped A LOT on my run to take pictures! I wanted to enjoy it, just in case I died along the way attempting such a distance. he he…
Right after taking the picture of the dark brown horse, this lovely golden creature started making it’s way towards me for a close up. That’s as close as I got because I felt it coming for my cap!
The next ranch was a cattle ranch and the third had llamas! Can you believe that! Right in the middle of my city! So cool!!!
To show how wild this change of scenery is to me, just a few miles up that same road we are back to urban business as usual. There are restaurants and even a Cowboy’s fitness center in one of the nearby restaurant strips.
Yes, yes, I know this is not the greatest story ever told, but under the lenses of my “new eyes”, it most certainly is FOR ME.
I was out on my run for just a little over 4 hours with all the stops I made. I took a GU at mile 5 and the second at mile 10. The gummies were gone shortly after, and my water ran out before mile 12. I tuned into church and I stopped at the gas station to buy a bottle of Propel. I drank that while jogging slowly through mile 15. By the time I made it home the kiddos were ready to go! Quick shower and out the door for a small Sunday breakfast at the park. Recovery time… who me???? Yes, I’m pretty much a veggie the rest of the day, while I finish this week’s homework assignment. Rest me???? Yes, I do. Praise God who is so emensely good. I do make time to rest. As long as I am getting to do the things I love and spend time with the people I care about, life is good.
Happy running!
Runmom_6 