End of The Day

I just got in a nice 3 at the end of my work day. I hadn't planned on going after yesterday's drudgery but tossed my gear into my car anyway. I listened to my body and it said go for it. It was nice and the scenery was great -- I went out pretty hard, and thoroughly enjoyed it. My contract in Newburyport ends tomorrow, so it will be a while before I run up here again.

Feeling It

I took a run at work yesterday -- I went out at 4:10 PM and ran for about 32 minutes and covered 4 miles so I hit what I think is a pretty decent 8 minute mile which surprised me. What I was happiest about was that my pace picked up on the second half which is always my goal on an out and back. It wasn't totally comfortable but it was a good discomfort -- I was breathing hard but it was a good hard and it was familiar. Yesterday's run was a good, confidence builder and I"m looking forward to the next run. Today is ankle stretching and rotation.

On a related note I woke up early on Wednesday and Thursday -- 6 AM -- and I'm feeling good about getting back on the morning running train. It's all about habituation, and it's time to re-habituate to earlier waking and running.

Rarities

So this post contains a bevy of rarities.

I actually went out and ran two days after a prior run -- I went on Sunday as well.
I went running on my lunch break.
I went running in Newburyport, towards Plum Island -- I've never done that.
I saw huge hawk in a tree right near the Plum Island Airport.

I went out on Sunday for a 32 minute run. I told myself I'm not going to publish a post unless I go again on Tuesday -- the once/week running post is silly. I set my alarm for 6 AM and turned it off at 5:52 AM -- Child Two called out and woke me.
I tried to get up at 6:20 but it was dark . . . I wimped out. However, the weather is outrageously balmy today, pushing 60 F, so I threw my gear in my bag and went for it.

Sunday's run (3.7 in 32:16) was better than today's (3.5-4.0 in 30:25, I'm not sure where I turned around) which was hard. Maybe it was the warmth. Maybe I was bonking a bit because I was hungry. Maybe I'm just not in great shape right now. One thing running has taught me is humility -- there is no replacement for miles not run and you've got to work your way back. The ankle hurt pretty good at the beginning but feels OK right now. It's really something I need to monitor.

The view on this run was lovely -- I ran along the Joppa Flats at the mouth of the Merrimack River and the water was glass flat and a beautiful winter blue. The flats teemed with sea birds and geese and it was really great.