I’m glowing
Yoga last night was so chill and fun. Girls Hanging Out. Maybe
that’s what my class should actually be called. Indie music, getting things off
our chest and sharing the joy. All while doing low aerial yoga. We focused some
on the middle of the back and neck. Class flew by. I felt so peaceful
afterward. I can’t be more grateful to have this outlet and such great people
to help in their yoga practice.
And I ran this morning. Part of me was trying to make excuses.
It had been a while and I was out of the habit. Once you are out of the habit
of running at 4am, it’s really hard to convince yourself that it’s a good idea
again. I took out my new Brooks for a test drive. I should have worn another
layer on my legs. I’m still a little chilled on my thighs.
The dog was very excited to be out and running. She bounded
from snowbanks to roads, looking back at me with a big smile on her face. I was
criticized earlier this week about subjecting my dog to the stresses of
running. This person obviously never owned a border collie mix. There was no
subjecting here, she was loving every second of this..
My finish at the 5k convinced me to push a little harder. If
I could run that fast for a 5k, what was another mile? I turned it up a notch.
I ran to the beats of LMAFO and other fun party music. I needed music with
energy to carry me thru. There was no Gu involved; this was a fasted run.
Runkeeper kept telling me my pace was in the 13:00 range. I pushed a little harder.
Then, 8:00. I had no idea how fast I was going. Taking out the first mile with
all the potty breaks for the dog, my pace was 11:30. My shoes felt great. At
first, they felt strange but by the end of the run, I could appreciate the
extra cushion.
The streets were empty. The air felt nearly warm after the
below zero temps. The wind was minimal. It was definitely cold. I put my hands
in my shirt’s mittens. I felt the air cut thru my fleece running leggings. There
was a sense of peace even though the music was energetic. The breath came a
little harder but I didn’t fight it. My legs were tired after we turned around
and my brain asked for Gu and then whined that I didn’t have any. But my mind,
my mind was ecstatic. I had been missing my outdoor runs. The treadmill is a
great tool but it cannot replace an early morning run. It can’t replace the
camaraderie of the early birds.
A cop passed me on the road. I was wondering if I was going
to get a ticket for not being on the sidewalk. But we are a bit of a running
community and I think there is an understanding so long as we don’t impede
traffic, and I usually only run on the road when I’m on a side street. I pictured
him pulling over and calling to me as I approached. In my head, I wondered if
it would be bad form to pause my Garmin and Runkeeper. He passed and I was left
with alone with my dog.
It’s funny. I had no idea I was missing the morning runs as
much as I was until I did it. When I went out, I felt at home and at peace in a
way I don’t anywhere else, not even in the hammock during yoga. I hope that the
weather cooperates and stays above zero and I can keep doing my outside runs.
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