running: the dawn

This morning I was determined to get my run in before work.  All 12 miles.  I had to get up early, but I kept telling myself how amazing it would be to have a free evening.  And you know what?  I was right!

More exciting than the uninterrupted hours that stretch before me is the glorious tired ache I feel in my legs.  What?  You think its strange that I’m enjoying feeling sore?  Well, this is the first time in a really LONG time that I’ve been able to run hard enough to effect my legs.  I’ve gotten used to being held back by the sun shining or the humid air caught in my lungs or my heart beating out of my chest.  But today…oh today!  It was beautifully cool and the road just reached out and propelled me forward.  The beginning miles were moderately paced, and then I don’t know what happened but I started wondering if I could throw down some marathon pace miles.  And I DID!  Six miles of marathon pace.  Hence my tired legs.  It just felt so fabulous to knock the spiderwebs off and see what these puppies can do.

This doesn’t restore ALL of my confidence, especially since I was supposed to do 10 marathon pace miles two weeks ago…but it did remind me that there is still some potential in these tired old legs of mine…