I didn’t want to run today.
I haven’t really been out on a real run since the wedding in October. My failure to complete 30 Days of Running coupled with all of the travel from the wedding/honeymoon, then the stress and fatigue of moving in November. I just haven’t felt good enough to run.
My wife and I have developed a tradition of running on Christmas and Thanksgiving. I didn’t run on Thanksgiving, but I did bike. This Christmas I knew we’d be running and we did a decent cold and windy 5 mile run. That’s not a lot of miles for most of you “runners” but it’s a fair amount for me after 2 months of no running and dealing with pain. So it took a toll.
Then we did another short run two days later. Still sore but we did it. And then there was today…
I really didn’t want to run. My feet were sore, my quads very sore and I just didn’t feel like it. I lobbied heavily for No-Run, she almost bought in but ultimately didn’t and we left for a run.
The Memorial Park Loop was busy, people everywhere. As we started our run my feet settled in pretty quick and the pain went away. It was a nippy 34 degrees but the sun was out so it was nice, just the way I like it. As we passed more and more people I started feeling better and could feel my body settle into a solid stride. For once, I was setting the pace on this run (Merelyn usually sets the pace as I struggle to keep up).
The more people I passed the more people I wanted to pass. I started getting the race mentality and looking for stronger runners along the trail that I could chase down and pass. Soon, we were passing nearly everyone and my stride felt easy and natural and I pushed it on.
I didn’t make any new PRs or break any records but it was a good run and, more importantly, it felt good.
I’m glad I ran today.