I don't know what got into me today, but I wasn't feeling right. It started after classes had ended, when my planning period began. I sat down to get some grading done and realized it's only Monday.
We had our first volleyball tryout today, which was really fun...but by the time I got home I was feeling a bit melancholy. It took me longer than I planned to get going for my short recovery run tonight; by the time I got outside, the sun was well below the horizon.
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| I spent a little time watching that lone heron. |
The moon was a perfect silver sliver overhead; the trees burned orange with the last rays of the sun. As it grew darker, frogs crossed my path in droves. The night had cooled. I was the only one on the course.
At one point, I closed my eyes and ran with my arms outstretched.
I used the first mile to warm up, to feel a little alive, to shake off whatever was weighing me down.
At the end, I flew. I pushed my last mile into sub-9s and held it there. I felt my mind and body wake up and come alive...I breathed deeply, felt my lungs open, felt the blood rushing through my body. I felt weightless and free.
Sometimes we just need a run like that.
When's the last time you ran just for the love of it?
ABK
Whooo! Way to go on your sub-9 minute mile! That's awesome!
ReplyDeleteWhenever I get out super early and the weather is a bit crisp I feel the way you described in this post -- and I've done the outstretched arms thing too! :)
I was seriously shocked by how fast the last mile was. I'm glad I'm not the only one who runs with my arms out sometimes, like I can hug the whole world! lol
DeleteThat perfectly describes my run yesterday - it was my first run in a week or so because of my knee injury and it was just one of those runs where you don't seem to fatigue and you keep smiling every couple of miles. They're the best because you remember why you love running!
ReplyDeleteAh, glad you had a great one, too!!
DeleteSome runs just gotta be because ya LOVE it. :) I can't remember the last time I did that though, I think because I have been "training". This needs to be remedied.
ReplyDeleteFor real. Go out there and just have a great one because you love it!!
DeleteOh this run sounds perfect! These are my favorite kinds of run and I can't wait to get back into running just for the fun of it!
ReplyDeleteIt was definitely what I needed!
DeleteI haven't had a run where I remember that I LOVE running in awhile. It's been all training, training, training. I need to just run and enjoy it soon. You are a beautiful writer. I really love reading your blog.
ReplyDeleteAh, thank you :o) I wish I knew how to make a blushy emoticon lol.
DeleteIt's so sad that training takes away some of our love for our sport!
Sounds like the perfect run! I have closed my eyes when running before...and often thought how lucky I am that I didn't fall. Try explaining that one to your non-runner friends!
ReplyDeleteHa, how funny would that be! "Oh, this bruise? I was running with my eyes closed...like a lunatic."
DeleteLove your very descriptive post....I can feel and see exactly what you were doing!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI'm so glad your run went well! And I hope whatever was going on is better :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, it was just a little funk. Gone now!
DeleteGlad you had a good run! I've been in "training mode" for a while so it's been a long time since I have done a fun run. I think I'm over due one though so after my half in two weeks I am going to definitely do one!
ReplyDeleteYeah, having a fun/ happy run can really make training feel better. Especially so close to a half, it can rejuvenate you, too!
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