Sunday, June 20, 2010

Sometimes its more about the journey

than the destination.


I've been on the lookout for that run that makes it all make sense again. Just a touch of that effortless runners high to keep me motivated and moving forward. Last Tuesday's run was a lot like last Saturdays... hard. It felt like running through quicksand for most of the 3 miles. But I actually felt good at the end and that gave me a glimmer of hope.

Saturday:
Up early with some (yucky) instant oatmeal because we're running out of breakfast food in this house. I headed out the door and off to our meeting place with plenty of time to spare. We had a little pacing workshop and it was a little cooler standing by the creek/pool than it usually is this time of summer. Perfect for running, not perfect for standing around shivering. Soon enough we were off to do a 1/2 mile then a bunch of plyometrics warm ups to get us tuned in for our 3 1/2 mile run today. I haven't run along this stretch of trails in a long time and I had forgotten how beautiful it is. We started at the rocks and I turned on my trusty 405G but didn't focus on it too much during the run. I didn't want to psych myself out or feel disappointed so I didn't really look at my watch unless someone else asked what our pace was then not closely until we finished our run. It didn't seem that long ago that I was easily sustaining 9 minute- 9:30 easy pace and here I was struggling at an11 minute pace. The first mile and a half were kinda brutal, but the last two seem to tune in like an old friend, not all of it easy but it did feel natural. I picked it up and pushed beyond what was in my new comfort level. Our last half mile was a 9:52 pace.It was like a light bulb went off and my different dueling body parts all worked together. A little hint of bliss on my run. That's what I was looking for.

3 comments:

Steven Cohen said...

Well there you go. You found the magic for a little while! Just keep plugging away, and it doesn't hurt that you run with a group. Glad you found it, anyway!

Miz said...

Im really trying to focus on that in running and beyond.

ENJOYING THE PROCESS of all things in my life.

Petraruns said...

There you go! In life in general, I find, the magic comes and goes and you have to just enjoy it when you encounter it rather than hang onto it.