A New and Refreshing Route

I live so close to the most wonderful running trail and have spent most of my time on that trail because it's beautiful, provides distance, and is close to home.  When I run, I like silence (well, except for music).  I don't like noisy cars and trucks and I hate the smell of exhaust. 

Today, because I didn't have my running partner with me, I decided to stay on more public roads while the sun rose.  I ran down to an older part of town and enjoyed looking at the old houses--some well-kempt and others not so much.  There were some interesting new smells and sights, providing distraction from aching muscles or tired lungs.

I think I'll start trying more new routes.  I enjoy running through neighborhoods and seeing the homes and people about. 

When I leave this place and we end up wherever we end up, I will miss my old trail but I'm excited to discover new areas and new favorites.

Today I ran 10 miles...and enjoyed it.

Test: Failed

I went for a long run today to close out my first week of training for the half marathon.  I met my friend who is training for the Ogden Marathon.  She was due to run 15-18 miles today and I only needed to run 13 so we started together and she went on at the end to finish her run.  I decided to try out a new program I installed on my phone.  It's called Endomondo and it is designed to use the GPS system in my phone to track my run, time it, and post it online.  I pressed Start and didn't look at my phone until the end of the run.  (Running with my phone was a pain--all the jostling and bouncing.)

The run started out fine but I felt tired and unmotivated--this combined with a horribly, bitter-cold headwind made it difficult to keep up spirits.  The return run was easier with the wind at our backs and running down the long incline we'd just run up.

I finished the run feeling achy and tired.  I guess that means I worked hard enough.  I took a look at the finished map created by my phone's GPS and looked at the distance run--1670 miles?  I don't think so.  I guess I'll be testing other GPS programs for running in the future.  Ideally I'd like to get a Garmin but that requires money! 

I think a good stretch session is in order tonight.

The Saturday Run

A few months ago I'd have given anything to be done with the long and sometimes dreaded Saturday run.  But today is was welcomed.  My friend whom I have semi-trained with in the past invited me to run with her today as she has started training for the Ogden Marathon.  She was supposed to run 14 miles today and since I've only been up to 7 miles this year (and on a treadmill), I told her I'd love to go but that I'd only be able to do maybe 9 or 10. 

We left around 9 since neither of us had anywhere to be and it was nice to start a little later.  That's the great thing about running in the winter--you don't have to get up early to beat the heat.  There was a light drizzle for the entire run which was nice.  I've always loved running in the rain.  I felt good and it was nice to have company and to be running outside.  We are blessed with such beautiful running trails here and only a short distance from home. 

We ran together for 10 miles and she continued on to meet her 14 mile goal.  My legs were definitely feeling the distance but it wasn't too hard and I'm glad I went.