So claudeskipoo let me down a little bit and wouldn’t find a satellite for a while yesterday. It’s okay, I’ve since forgiven him but it was a while, meaning oh like 2 miles. I knew the route though and got in a really good run and did some hill work to try to strengthen my quads up in hopes that my knee wouldn’t be sore for this weekend. I feel well and ran an average pace of 8:15 for 5 miles.
Do you ever have those workouts where you feel like your head is just cleared and you can keep running and it just feels so good. That was the workout last night. It felt freaking good to be out and running. Even though it was cold and I decided to wear shorts (stupid) and it was incredibly windy. I still felt good. I didn’t bring my ipod and I still felt really good. It felt good to remember how a run feels. A run that you don’t get tired on, that isn’t way too far, that you don’t have to suck down gus and drink tons of water to finish.
Just a leisurely run. One that gets the heart rate up but doesn’t get you overly sweaty to the point where you reek. It was so calming to be able to watch the lights of Long Beach light up against the dark night sky and to hear the ocean lapping at the sand. It was good to hear my feet continue to pound the pavement. The sand on the path squishing under my shoes.
It was nice to hear my consistent breath, the huffing and puffing as I climbed the hills. Invigorating. That’s what running can be if you give it the chance. It’s always good to be able to come back to something that gives you peace, and allows you to think.
To me, Running is always there. I can always tie up my shoes and take off for three miles, for five mile, for fifteen miles. It’s something that no matter the time of day, no matter the day you’ve had, no matter the people around you, or anything else, you can still do it. You can still get out and run. I love that. I love running.
Though this picture isn’t at the beach, it’s one of my favorite running pictures.
xoxo
54 Comments so far
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THAT is why I love running! Great post.
It’s so hard to explain to people who don’t do it. I always get sad when people say running=punishment to them.
By X-Country2 on 03.24.09 11:12 am
glad you had a great run!! those are the best!
By LyndsAU on 03.24.09 11:13 am
Wow! Such a beautiful post! I couldn’t have said it better myself! =)
By Megan on 03.24.09 11:13 am
That’s what I love about running too – it’s always there and it only takes YOU to do it – no team, no counting on others, just yourself. :) Glad you had a great run – I did as well!
By Shannon on 03.24.09 11:17 am
very well said girl… that is exactly it :) glad you were able to clear your head!!
i wont start my run until G finds a sattelite :)
By aron on 03.24.09 11:20 am
So glad you had a great run! I’d love to run 5 miles and not be sweaty :) I run two minutes and I’m dripping :)
By Lucky in Love on 03.24.09 11:24 am
That is the best part about running – and the best runs are the meditative head-clearing runs that feel like they could go on forever! Sounds awesome.
By the gazelle on 03.24.09 11:37 am
it’s super cheesy but I often think of the ad campaign from “What Women Want” when I’m running: No Games, Just Sports.
It just kind of sums up the freedom and individuality of the sport.
By Vicki T on 03.24.09 11:38 am
That’s awesome that you had a good run! I am SO jealous… not only of your awesome run but your beachy sounds! How awesome!
By Jamie on 03.24.09 11:43 am
Those are the best runs! Well said!
By RunningLaur on 03.24.09 11:45 am
what a great post. it’s a great feeling to fall in love all over again with an old friend which is what you did last night!! i love those workouts.
By LG on 03.24.09 11:53 am
So true!
The 3-6 mile range is my absolute favorite. 2 miles I feel the need to go fast more than 6 is less head clearing and uses more mental concentration.
By Alisa on 03.24.09 12:01 pm
Ahh! With such heartfelt notions around the topic, I feel ever so guilty wishing that I could burn as many calories just watching others do it lol.
Kidding, I’m with you sister, those runs are the best!!!
By chia on 03.24.09 12:02 pm
sounds like a fantastic run! (and i love that photo you included!)
By E on 03.24.09 12:18 pm
What a great post! I couldn’t have said it better myself!! The only time I feel I can every truly clear my head is when I’m running. What a blessing!
By *~! megs !~* on 03.24.09 12:33 pm
I love it. I used to feel like that…until this silly injury! Hopefully it won’t be too long until I feel the love again! It is hard to explain to people if they don’t understand running, and you did a good job!
By Allie on 03.24.09 12:40 pm
Sounds like a perfect run!
By Jess on 03.24.09 12:46 pm
losing signal for 2 miles is why i finally trashed my garmin and switched to a polar with footpod. i may look like a nerd with a bomb detonator on my foot, but it never loses anything.
and i agree – beautiful post! it made me happy to be a runner.
By sarah on 03.24.09 1:00 pm
I had that kind of run on Sunday. It’s was a great milestone for me because I hit 4 miles. And unfortunately I had a bad run today. I could barely get through 3 miles. :(
By Christina on 03.24.09 1:07 pm
Sounds like a great run!! Awesome post:)
By Niki on 03.24.09 1:23 pm
Yay for runs that remind you why you keep running! The good days definitely outweigh the bad days!
By Susan on 03.24.09 1:34 pm
What a pretty view!
By ~Mrs. Guru~ on 03.24.09 1:37 pm
Great post! Oh how I miss those days and can’t wait to get back to them! I think I’m finally healed up from the marathon so hopefully I can enjoy these runs again! People have no idea and look at me like I’m crazy when I say how much I miss running… If only they knew!
By Brandi on 03.24.09 1:39 pm
These are the best runs :) I really enjoyed reading this post!
By Brooke on 03.24.09 1:42 pm
Yep! thats the exact run I had on Sunday where I discovered this awesome wooded trail. I wasn’t bored..I was simply taking it all in!
By Christine on 03.24.09 1:44 pm
Ahhhh.. those are the runs we are always seeking…
So… to answer your question… I haven’t completely “solved” my issue yet… but, I have found that eliminating as much whole grains and fiber the day before a run helps me… also… for me… not drinking too much at any given time during the run (just little sips from my fuel belt water bottle every once in awhile) and getting up early enough to get things “going.” It sucks. I can do everything right and still end up dying around mile 11 or so. But I am slowly learning what seems to help me… I think it’s just trial and error, unfortunately. Hope some of this is helpful!
By Amy on 03.24.09 1:46 pm
Great post! Makes me excited for my 5-miler tonight :-)
xoxo
By Wearing Mascara on 03.24.09 1:53 pm
I found your blog this past weekend and I’m totally hooked! I loved this last post because you did such a great job describing why so many of us love running. It’s neat to really enjoy an activity that can be so challenging and relaxing at the same time. Nothing clears my head like a good run. Glad yours was great!
That stinks that it took so long for Claude to link up. I’m also considering a Garmin and now I just have to convince my husband how awesome they can be :)
By Danielle on 03.24.09 2:11 pm
awesome reflection. i feel the same way!
By Carlee on 03.24.09 2:32 pm
glad you had a good head-clearing, feel-good run, even if claude was being moody. i usually let my technology interrupt my run and send me home early :-/
By lindsay on 03.24.09 2:48 pm
I’m def with ya Danica. Running is usually 50% workout, 50% therapy for me.
BTW, that photographer is AWESOME ;)
By Billy Burger on 03.24.09 3:05 pm
Sounds like a great run. I love your pony tail in the picture!! It must be amazing to run and to hear the waves…
By RunWithMe on 03.24.09 3:46 pm
Those are the best runs! I wish everyone would give it a shot to experience it.
By Denise on 03.24.09 4:13 pm
You’ve captured the reason why I never wear headphones or listen to music when I run. All I want to hear are the sounds around me, and let my head clear for a while.
Nice post. :)
By loquita on 03.24.09 4:26 pm
I love your reflection…running and clearing my head is one of the best feelings. I love running, because, well, I can.
By Run Saraaah on 03.24.09 4:36 pm
Glad the run was sooo good! I am sure the hills helped too! It has been incredibly windy here too and it is not fun! I want warm weather!
By J on 03.24.09 4:43 pm
i really need to get my run on more often! tomorrow i swear!
By Jane on 03.24.09 4:58 pm
Ahhh, your post just makes me want to lace up and get out there! I love a feel-good run!
By Marlene on 03.24.09 5:35 pm
That is an awesome picture. Looks like it could be in a running magazine.
By D10 on 03.24.09 5:37 pm
Great post that reminds us of why we love to run. Thanks!
By Marci on 03.24.09 6:09 pm
Thanks for reminding us why we run. Sometimes I tend to forget that when I’m stuck in the details of marathon training. I should be more like you and just leave the ipod and garmin home once in a while and just run. Great post!
By The Laminator on 03.24.09 6:21 pm
I love those type of runs. We need them to remind us of the inherent joy running can bring.
By Lora on 03.24.09 6:26 pm
Those are the best runs. Good for you.
Great post!
By The Happy Runner on 03.24.09 6:30 pm
Great post!!! I agree with many of the others…this is exactly why I love running.
By runjen on 03.24.09 6:42 pm
5 miles is my FAVORITE length to run!
Love that pic girlie!! Very artsy. ;)
By jlc on 03.24.09 6:51 pm
That is an awesome picture! I love the pony sashaying in the wind.
I had a run like that tonight. I love those, the ones where you are sad that they end…
By Laurel on 03.24.09 6:53 pm
Love your post girlfriend. I have run on the LB boardwalk a couple of times (my hubby works on one of those oil tankers that is sitting out there) and I totally agree. LB is a great place to run! I like your trail pic too.
By kristen on 03.24.09 7:43 pm
AW good post.
By Lacey Nicole on 03.25.09 5:02 am
Nice post! But where’s you blankie ;-)
By Stuart on 03.25.09 6:03 am
You had mentioned “the stick” on your comment…I looked online and there are a bunch! Where did you get yours and what size did you get? I am intrested in anything that will help me get back to running sooner rather than later!
By Allie on 03.25.09 7:33 am
i love those runs! and need one!
By N.D. on 03.25.09 8:19 am
That is why i love to run.. so refreshing and def head clearing!
By Tara Gibson on 03.25.09 11:32 am
Sounds like a wonderful five miles!
By joyRuN on 03.25.09 3:12 pm
That is my favorite thing about running-just clearing my mind!
By Jennifer on 03.25.09 3:20 pm
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