Wednesday, October 5, 2016

The Best Kind of Run

Have you ever had one of those runs where you finished and you just felt completely fulfilled?

Maybe it wasn't particularly special. Or maybe it was. Was the sun shining? Or was it cloudy? Did you run fast or slow?

Or did it just feel good?

That was my run on Sunday.

The Best Kind of Run



It wasn't anything special. I headed out to do 8 miles, just because I'm trying to bump up my distance, in anticipation for running a half this fall. I got up, drank my coffee, and packed a gel in my shorts.

Got my new Garmin 230 ready. The GPS found a satellite immediately. It was a good omen. Why did I wait so long to get a new watch?

It wasn't a nice day at all, in fact, it was cloudy and drizzly. But the temperature was in the 60s and I wanted to go. I headed to the retention pond, which is about 2 1/2 miles from my house.

My legs felt good. There was no need to shake them out or take it slower on the first mile. They knew what to do. I settled into my 8:45m/m pace immediately.

The streets were quiet as I paced myself along the road. My favorite running tunes playing in my earbuds, I found myself singing along. I hadn't done this for a long time. That felt great.

I crossed the street to the retention pond. The parking lot was crowded, but the path was not. Since it was damp and rainy, there were no cyclists on the path. I moved into the cycling lane and picked up the pace. Smiled at the guy who I see running there all year around. It was all good.

After one lap around the path, I stopped to use the bathroom, took a gel, and walked down to the water for my daily yoga pose. The guy I said hi to earlier, my running compaƱero, was at the top of the stairs. He wanted to formally meet me. We introduced ourselves and chatted for a minute. Runners--we're all friends, right? I said goodbye to my new friend Carlos and headed towards home. Nice guy.

In the final miles of my run, I marveled at how good my legs felt. It wasn't until I finished mile 7 that I started to feel fatigue. I dug in deep and ran the last mile home.

The Best Kind of Run

In that last mile, I had a few thoughts. I thought about how lucky I am to still be running long distances after all these years of running. That yes, I will be ready for my half in December. And that if I wanted to, I could do another one before that. That I do have another marathon in me.

When I stopped in my driveway and pushed pause on my Garmin, I smiled. I'm still a runner. This run was a good one.

I felt fulfilled. And I can't wait to run again.

Have you ever had one of those runs...the one that makes you come back for more? That made you feel fulfilled?

I'm linking up with DebRuns for Wednesday Word. Today's word is fulfilled. And with Debbie, Lora, Rachel, and Susie for Coaches' Corner.





77 comments :

  1. So happy to hear this, Wendy. After all of the pain and recovery that you've been working through, you deserved to have a run like this. I hope that there are many more in your future!

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  2. Yes! I love those kinds of runs because as much as I love running, they are rare. I even have a 20 miler like that, that I still remember because it felt so great, like I was getting stronger as I ran!

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    1. Oh yes, I still remember that 18 miler before my 2d Chicago marathon because it was just like that--effortless and joyful.

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  3. It must have been in the air last weekend because I had a similar run. It feels so good to get a great one in, doesn't it? Keeps you going for another few months. :)

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  4. It gives me joy to read of your beautiful run. You deserved this.

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    1. It's been a long time since I've had a run like this. I wondered if I would ever have one again!

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  5. Awwwwww those are the best runs. It's the random ordinary ones that feel amazing that really are the best. I had one of those Monday after months of just not hitting that stride. GOLD!

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  6. I have not had a run like that in a long time but when it happens it's just magical.

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    1. It's been a really long time for me too. It was just great. Actually, yesterday's run was similar. 2 in a row?

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  7. After the troubles you've had with PF you deserved this run! I had one of these runs just this week. Honestly, it had been a while. I was a little aggravated to be in taper mode and forced to keep it short! YAY for new running watches. I love my 225!

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    1. That tells me that you are ready for Chicago! Love those runs where you actually have to hold back. See you Saturday!

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  8. Those are the BEST! I feel like I had so few of those amazing runs during marathon training because so much of the time I was running on slightly fatigued legs. But I'm looking forward to having this race behind me and running for the love of running for a while!

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    1. I haven't had one for a long time--I've been struggling to come back since Big Sur, battling PF and the heat! Oh did I need this one.

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  9. I tried earlier . . . I had a run like that on the Cape. Most of my runs lately have been ont he frustrating side, simply because I've been so slooooow -- no doubt due to having to cram in runs where I can.

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    1. It's tough when you don't have the time to relax and enjoy your run.

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  10. I think so many of us are so focused on the specific workout, or we're complaining about the heat or the rain and I just love how you remind us to soak up the good stuff, live in the moment and be thankful. Thanks for the reminder, Wendy!

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  11. Those types of runs are the best. When you just LOVE running. :) And you got to officially meet your friend!

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  12. It's been a while since I've had a run that felt so great, but it really is a wonderful feeling. I'm glad that the fall is here because it's definitely perfect running weather.

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  13. There was something about this past weekend. The drizzle made it not too hot and kept most people at home. Even though my run got pretty old by mile 15, I loved the solitude of it.

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  14. Yes, this is so inpiring! I love those runs and good for you for getting one in after so much trouble w/ your PF! Keep it up.

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    1. So glad I kept on with running this summer, even though it was tough. This was my reward.

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  15. Glad running is back on track for you. I finally feel like running and I are friends again!

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  16. I have them all the time...And often it's not when I'm expecting it. I've started to carry some running jelly beans with me all the time now so that when I go out for a 5 - 6 mile run but feel so good that I want to extend it, I'll always have something on me so I can add in the extra miles when I feel like it. Funny how your thought immediately went to I can do another half and another full...

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  17. I smiled when I read your post because yes, that is how I felt too...

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  18. Yeah!!! That is awesome Wendy!!!

    I had a similar run on Tuesday. Just got out to get some lines in and some fresh air.. It started out as a struggle but by the end, I was feeling great!!

    I hope you have more runs like this!!

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  19. I love these kinds of runs. So happy for you. You were due a fantastic run. <3

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    1. Me too! I was starting to wonder when and if it would happen.

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  20. Awesome run, sounds like perfect weather to me! Schaumburg Half, for your second half this year, perhaps?

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    1. I thought about it but it's pretty close to my Florida half. Still, you never know, right?

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  21. The best kinds of runs are the ones that aren't anything special, until they are. That is why we run--because of the possibilities and potential it offers us.

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    1. I think having no expectations but just to run is what makes these runs so amazing--it just happens.

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  22. I love running on cool drizzly days. Don't know why. My wife hates it!

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    1. I run in all conditions--I might not love it but it sure beats the treadmill!

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  23. So happy to read you had a great run. I love it when everything comes together.

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  24. AHHHHH - so happy that you had such a fantastic run!!! It is the days like this that keep us all motivated to push through on the bad days, yes??? You were totally due for an awesome run. =)

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  25. Love to hear that. You have had many painful pf ones. You deserved it.

    I had one today. It was short but sweet and because I was running with two friends.

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    1. That's like my run with my sister--it was short but it was sweet running with her!

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  26. Yay for a great run, and I love that you think you might have another marathon in you!

    Thanks for linking up!

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    1. All it takes is one good run to make me realize I'm still in the game...

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  27. I had a very similar run myself! Except, my run felt tough for most of the duration....but it left me feeling very fulfilled because I did not stop until I was finished. ;-)

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  28. I finally had that kind of a run last week but now I am just waiting to be able to build my mileage and feel the same way! So glad you had such a great run and will be ready for your half!

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    1. I'm happy to be getting some mileage back too! Praying that the foot continues to cooperate.

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  29. Runs like this are magical! I'll never forget the 20 miler I had last fall. I put on an audio book, had the perfect weather, and felt great the entire time. The time flew by. I was so thankful to have experienced that during such a long run.

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    1. I had 2 long runs like that when I trained for my 1st and 2d Chicago marathon. I'll never forget them because they felt so amazing!

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  30. Those are always the best and I find they come just when you need them. Great job!

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  31. I am so glad you had a great run!! You deserve it!! Perfect weather to run!

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    1. It has been--altho I wouldn't mind seeing the sun a little more!

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  32. Nice job! Running in the 8's is moving.

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  33. I've had so many I lost count. That's why we keep doing this, right? :-)

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    1. It had been such a long time that I wondered if I was ever going to have a good run again!

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  34. That's awesome! I feel like those runs don't come super often for me (especially during triathlon training, where every run is on tired legs), but they are fantastic when they do. I had one recently - I ran 8 miles, which I hadn't done since my half marathon 2 yrs ago and, while the pace wasn't fast, I could do it and still feel ok at the end.

    And - you should be thrilled that you can still run...especially long distances and fast paces! I'm 38 and could never hold 8:45 for 8 miles!

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  35. I've been biking all summer due to a knee injury. And while I love biking, I miss running. The half marathon is my favorite distance and the docs seem to think my knees have issues that will not allow me to do that distance much, if any, anymore. But recently, I've started to run again. Knees are feeling better. This week I ran with my run club on Monday and Wednesday and ran 3 miles. I told a running buddy "I'm beginning to feel 'normal' again". Those runs let me know I can come back. My running might look a little different, but I'm still a runner!

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    1. It took me all summer to have a run that felt like this! Every run this summer was hard, even the short ones. I'm glad to know that it's still in me. You'll find it again too.

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  36. So glad you had an awesome run! You deserve it girl! Wishing you more of those

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  37. Ah, these are the best kind of runs!! Glad you had a good run!

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  38. What an outstanding post. It's really important to not take these things for granted and to stop and appreciate when we feel healthy and good. Great perspective!

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  39. Those are the best runs! I love when you feel like you could just keep going forever. I took most of last week off bc of shin pain and in preparation for running 45 this week and 50 next week as my peak weeks for NYCM. We'll see how it goes!

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