Week Update

This summer has been one of the best summers I have had. If you know me well, you know that I NEVER say that about summer since I am typically allergic to the heat and humidity. I still am, but there's been more to it than that.

For one, everything is just beautiful lately....

I went for a trail run on Monday and despite the heat, the beauty of everything was what kept me going. It was my first trail run in over a week and I was itching for this. Though I felt a little shaky, I did very well and just felt so connected with the world in that hour.

Later in the week, there was a pretty good storm that went down this week prompting me to take more pretty pictures.

Although it put me on the treadmill one night, I didn't mind watching Bones for that hour of my life. David Boreanaz = YUM!

Second reason I have loved this summer is because I have been more connected with my mind and body.

They both have been neglected for 27 years. I feel like a whole new human being now that I have taken the time out to meditate and do yoga. It has done wonders for me at home and work.

Finally, this summer has shown me that I am a lot stronger than I have ever been before. Not only have I taken on training for an ultra, but I have been able to handle distance running with ease! My perspective on long runs has completely changed. I no longer feel that I have to meet a certain goal other than to just get it done. It doesn't matter if I have to run, walk, or even crawl to get it done. I just have to finish. Suddenly, the pressure has been eliminated.

I had a 22 mile run yesterday and I was able to do it without feeling any doubt that I would finish.

The plan was simple. I just had to run from my house to Williamsport using the C&O Canal. It was a  perfect 22 miles. I intended on walking every hill and then play with walking-running intervals while on the canal. I was thinking I would run for 20 minutes and walking for 2, but altering those numbers depending on my energy.

I followed my plan exactly for the first 90 minutes, but like any plan I make, it usually gets changed. This run was different though. Instead of feeling tired, I felt energized. I thought I would change the intervals to where I would run longer!

I decided to run for 40 minutes and as I was about to take a 2 minute break, I encountered another runner I have seen on the path before. She asked if she could run with me since we were headed to the same place. I agreed even though I felt a little intimidated. She was fast and looked strong! I hoped that I had enough Cliff bars to keep up.

We immediately began talking like old friends. And it really helped! She had the miles pass by so quickly. One of our miles even dipped under a 9 minute pass. Whoa!

I felt really good to run with someone new and I was proud of myself to take a chance on a stranger. I hope I encounter her again soon.

I finished the run just under 3:40, which put me just under a 10:00 pace. It was time to celebrate with pizza. It is a tradition to get pizza running anything more than 20+ miles. Peter and I got 2 and devoured them both by day's end. :)

Today, I planned on running only 6, but believe it or not, I did 13.1 with Peter. I felt good...well, great. I wasn't sore or tired. So I didn't think there was any harm in trying another long run.

So we ran from our house, to Dam #4 and back to the house.

It was nice and easy, but I am pretty exhausted now. I have never run anything over 30 miles in a single weekend. I am quite proud of myself for pushing through, but I am looking forward to taking a load off.  Pretty sure I earned that.

Anyway, I hope you all had a great weekend yourselves! Let me know how your long run went!!!